In a year marked by political turmoil and attacks on the arts, the cultural sector in the United States faced unprecedented challenges in 2025. As a member of the News Team at Hyperallergic, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of President Trump’s policies on beloved institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the NEA, the NEH, and the IMLS. The relentless cycle of policy changes and executive actions has made it difficult to keep up with the rapidly evolving landscape of arts and culture in the country.

Trump’s “flood the zone” strategy has had far-reaching effects on artists and arts organizations, with politically motivated grant cuts, financial uncertainty, and threats to freedom of expression dominating the headlines. While some of the administration’s actions have been successfully challenged in court, others have had lasting consequences on the cultural sector.

Throughout 2025, Hyperallergic has reported on local disputes over artworks that have shed light on the politically charged atmosphere in the United States. From the shuttering of DEI departments at federally funded institutions to the censorship of thought-provoking billboards, the year has been rife with challenges for artists and cultural institutions.

In January, the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art closed their DEI departments in compliance with an executive order from the president. This move set the tone for a year filled with censorship and controversy, as seen in the removal of a For Freedoms billboard in Montgomery, Alabama.

February brought further challenges, with the NEA scrapping awards for underserved communities and the National Park Service erasing the “T” and “Q” from “LGBTQ+” at the Stonewall National Monument. These actions underscored the administration’s anti-DEI stance and its impact on marginalized communities within the arts.

March proved to be a particularly tumultuous month, with the NEA facing legal challenges over its grant requirements and the dismantling of the IMLS. Trump’s executive order targeting “race-centered ideology” at Smithsonian institutions sparked public battles and raised concerns about freedom of expression.

As the year progressed, artists and cultural workers mobilized against the administration, protesting the arrest of activist Mahmoud Khalil and standing up for immigrant rights. The removal of the Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington, DC, and the replacement of a Trump portrait in the Colorado legislature highlighted the ongoing tensions between the arts and politics.

As we look back on 2025, it is clear that the Trump administration’s attacks on the arts have had a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of the United States. From funding cuts to censorship and political interference, artists and institutions have faced unprecedented challenges in defending their right to creative expression. As we move forward, it is more important than ever to support and protect the arts as a vital form of cultural expression and resistance in the face of adversity. The month of May was marked by significant developments in the arts and culture sector, as a federal judge halted cuts to IMLS grants in response to a lawsuit from 21 attorneys general. This decision provided relief to organizations in certain states that were facing financial uncertainty due to the proposed cuts.

In a controversial move, the Trump administration announced the cancellation of NEA grants for organizations across the country, citing a shift in priorities towards “skilled trade jobs,” “AI competency,” support for the military and veterans, and economic development of Asian American communities. This decision sparked backlash from the arts community, with many questioning the administration’s focus on these specific areas.

The State Department opened applications for proposals for the U.S. Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, calling for submissions that highlighted “American exceptionalism.” Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress called for an independent investigation into Trump’s impact on the Smithsonian, raising concerns about potential interference in the institution’s operations.

As June rolled around, the president’s 2026 budget proposal excluded funding for two Smithsonian institutions, leading to bipartisan backlash from lawmakers. Immigration issues also came to the forefront, with Norwegian tourist Mads Mikkelsen being denied entry to the U.S. after border agents reviewed images on his phone, including a controversial meme.

In July, painter Amy Sherald made headlines by canceling her exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery over concerns that her work “Trans Forming Liberty” would be altered or removed. The controversy highlighted ongoing tensions between artists and institutions over issues of censorship and artistic freedom.

August saw further developments as Sherald’s work appeared on the cover of the New Yorker following the exhibition’s cancellation. The Trump administration announced a review of content at the Smithsonian to align it with the president’s goal of promoting “American exceptionalism,” leading to concerns about potential censorship and political interference in the institution’s programming.

In September, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch defended the institution’s independence in response to Trump’s demands, stating that the Smithsonian was conducting an internal review of its content. Artists Nicholas Galanin and Margarita Cabrera withdrew from a symposium at the Smithsonian American Art Museum citing censorship concerns, while concerned historians and librarians formed organizations to document cultural heritage at risk of alteration.

The month of October was marked by the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which resulted in the closure of Smithsonian museums and research centers. Trump also fired the oversight board for the NEH and the Commission of Fine Arts as part of his plans to build a ballroom in the White House’s East Wing, sparking further controversy and concerns about political interference in the arts.

As the year drew to a close in November, the fallout of federal government overreach into the arts continued, with accusations of censorship at a Colorado museum and ongoing concerns about the impact of Trump-related grant cuts on museums nationwide. The arts community rallied against authoritarian forces, hosting events and testifying before city councils about censorship in the arts.

In December, a final ruling by a Rhode Island federal judge restored IMLS grants that had been cut earlier in the year, providing a glimmer of hope for arts organizations facing financial challenges. Additionally, a heritage group sued the Trump administration over the construction of a White House ballroom and the demolition of the East Wing, highlighting ongoing concerns about preservation and stewardship of cultural heritage.

Overall, the year was marked by tensions between the arts community and the Trump administration, with artists, organizations, and cultural leaders grappling with the impact of executive actions on federal cultural resources. Despite these challenges, court victories and ongoing advocacy efforts signal a commitment to preserving artistic freedom and cultural heritage in the face of political pressures.