Smithsonian Closes Diversity Office In Wake Of Trump Executive Order

Wikipedia:Image:Smithsonian_Building.jpg - released to public domain

In a move that has sent ripples through the US cultural sector, the Smithsonian Institution has shuttered its diversity office just days after President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13985, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” The order, issued on January 20, the first day of Trump’s presidency, targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies, labelling them as “illegal and immoral” and accusing them of having “infiltrated” the government.

The Smithsonian’s decision follows a similar move by the National Gallery of Art, which disbanded its diversity office last week. Both institutions, heavily reliant on federal funding, appear to align with the new administration’s directives. The Smithsonian, which receives approximately two-thirds of its $1 billion annual budget from the federal government, announced the closure of its diversity office on Tuesday. However, a spokesperson emphasised that the institution remains committed to workforce excellence and visitor accessibility.

“Our Institution is fully committed to excellence in our workforce, free from discrimination and harassment,” the spokesperson said in an email. “We are closing our Office of Diversity but retaining our efforts at visitor accessibility as it serves a critical function.” Questions regarding the fate of staff members previously employed in the diversity office—whether they would be dismissed or reassigned—were left unanswered.

Meanwhile, the National Gallery of Art has taken similar steps, closing its Office of Belonging and Inclusion and removing related language from its website. A spokesperson confirmed that employees from the office have been reassigned to other roles within the museum.

The executive order has sparked uncertainty across the cultural sector, particularly among institutions that rely on federal funding. The Smithsonian, established in 1846 through a bequest from English scientist James Smithson, operates as a “trust instrumentality of the United States,” technically separate from the federal government’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This unique status initially raised questions about whether the institution would be subject to the order. However, the closure of its diversity office suggests a cautious approach to compliance.

The Smithsonian’s vast network includes 21 museums, a national zoo, and numerous research centres, employing 6,800 staff members. Among its most prominent institutions are the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the American Art Museum—all of which have long championed diversity and inclusion as core values.

The broader museum community has hesitated to comment on the executive order’s implications. The National Archives Museum did not respond to inquiries, while the American Alliance of Museums stated it was “too soon to definitively comment” on how the order might impact nonprofits. The Institute for Museum and Library Services, a federal grant-making agency, also remained silent.

Anne M. Lampe, CEO of the Museum Trustee Association, underscored the importance of inclusion in achieving excellence. “At MTA, we believe that inclusion is one key to excellence, which should be the overarching goal of all museums,” she said. “Museums that receive federal funds must follow the law, but not all of America’s over 32,000 museums participate in those funding streams. They must follow their vision and mission priorities to serve their communities best.”

Jamie Bennett, interim co-CEO of Americans for the Arts, noted that while the executive order’s language is narrow, its impact could be far-reaching. “It may have a chilling effect,” he said, “causing museums to hesitate in applying for federal funding or to fear undue negative attention if they retain their DEI efforts.”

Despite these challenges, Bennett expressed confidence in the resilience of the museum community. “The museum community is interested in telling the complete set of American and world stories,” he said. “Having a fundamental commitment to telling the full breadth of stories is baked into the DNA of many museums, and I assume that the vast majority will continue doing that.”

As the cultural sector adapts to this new landscape, the closure of diversity offices at two of the nation’s most prominent institutions raises questions about the future of DEI museum efforts and the broader implications for storytelling, representation, and access in the arts.

Top Photo: Wikipedia:Image:Smithsonian_Building.jpg – released to public domain

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