The White House ordered an assessment of the exhibitions in Washington’s main museums to ensure its “alignment” with Donald Trump’s view and “eliminate party narratives.” Since his return to power in January, the president has sought to control the leading US cultural institutions, as well as cutting funding to arts and humanities.
Government analysis will include exhibitions, texts, conservation and the programming of eight Washington museums run by Smithsonian Institution, which has a vast network that houses millions of objects on display.
Today, Smithsonian has 62% federal funding. “The government will make a complete internal analysis of museums and exhibitions selected by Smithsonian,” according to a letter published on the White House website, addressed to the institution’s secretary, Lonnie Bunch. “The initiative seeks to ensure alignment with the president’s guidelines to celebrate American exceptionalism, eliminate party narratives and restore confidence in our cultural institutions.”
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The review will apply to eight museums, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture and the National Museum of the American Indian. “Exhibitions, educational materials and digital content will be reevaluated about the tone, historical structure and alignment with American ideals,” says the letter.
Reaction
In a statement sent to the New York Times, Smithsonian said that “their work is based on a commitment to academic excellence, rigorous research and precise and objective presentation of history.” “We are reviewing the letter based on this commitment and we will continue to be constructively involved with the White House, Congress and our Board of Directors.” (With international agencies)
The information is from the newspaper The State of S. Paulo.
