The Trump administration’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 has sparked concerns for the future of the National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL) and the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, DC, both of which are part of the Smithsonian Institution. The budget does not include funding for these institutions, raising questions about their continued operations.
The Anacostia Community Museum, established in 1967 to serve the Black residents of the capital city, faces the possibility of being dissolved into the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Similarly, the NMAL may see its funding replaced with programming dispersed throughout the Smithsonian Institution under the leadership of a decentralized Smithsonian Latino Center.
While President Trump’s budget proposal lays out these changes, the final decision on funding rests with Congress. Members of the Republican-led Congressional Hispanic Conference have voiced their support for continued funding of the NMAL, highlighting the importance of showcasing the Latino community’s place in American history through a dedicated museum.
The NMAL, currently operating out of a temporary gallery within the National Museum of American History, has made significant progress since its approval in 2020. With over $70 million in private support, a growing collection of objects, and a national membership program, the museum is on track to becoming a world-class institution. However, the fate of its collection and resources remains uncertain if the budget proposal is approved.
The Anacostia Community Museum, known for its focus on 20th-century Black arts educators in DC, is also facing funding challenges. The Smithsonian’s budget request for the upcoming year excludes funding for both the NMAL and the Anacostia Community Museum, aligning with the administration’s priorities.
Efforts to establish a Latino museum have faced opposition from conservatives, with past attempts to block funding and criticism of inaugural exhibitions. Despite these challenges, bipartisan support has emerged for the NMAL, with a proposed bill to secure a location for the museum along the National Mall.
As Congress considers appropriations for the Smithsonian and other cultural institutions, the future of the NMAL and the Anacostia Community Museum hangs in the balance. The House Appropriations Committee is set to review the budget proposal on June 26, determining the fate of these important cultural institutions.
