The article discusses the current state of museums in the United States, particularly the Smithsonian Institution, under the Trump administration. The Smithsonian has been facing pressure from the White House to conform to a more conservative view of American history, with the president's Executive Order 14253, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," being cited as a guide for the institution's content.
The article highlights the tension between the Smithsonian's commitment to its mission of increasing and diffusing knowledge for all Americans and the administration's demands for a more positive view of American history. The museum's director, Lonnie Bunch, has been navigating this difficult situation, with some staff members feeling that they are being forced to conform to a particular ideology.
The article also mentions the departure of Kim Sajet, who was recently appointed as the director of the Milwaukee Art Museum, and her decision not to engage with the Trump administration's pressure on museums. Sajet is quoted as saying that she loves Milwaukee and is excited about running an institution that can exist at the center of its local community.
The article also visits other museums in the United States, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which are taking different approaches to addressing the administration's demands. The curator at the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Kelly Oehler, is quoted as saying that she thinks of herself in a trajectory of 150 years of curators and is committed to offering a diverse audience a place of respite and inspiration.
Overall, the article suggests that the Smithsonian Institution is facing a difficult test of its autonomy and commitment to its mission. The institution's leadership must navigate the tension between conforming to the administration's demands and maintaining its independence and commitment to its core values.
Key points from the article:
* The Trump administration has been pressuring museums to conform to a more conservative view of American history.
* The Smithsonian Institution has been facing pressure to change its content and programming to align with the president's Executive Order 14253.
* Lonnie Bunch, the director of the Smithsonian Institution, is navigating this difficult situation and has been trying to maintain the institution's autonomy and commitment to its mission.
* Kim Sajet, who recently departed from her position as director of the National Portrait Gallery, has not engaged with the Trump administration's pressure on museums and is now running an independent institution in Milwaukee.
* Other museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, are taking different approaches to addressing the administration's demands.
* The curator at the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Kelly Oehler, is quoted as saying that she thinks of herself in a trajectory of 150 years of curators and is committed to offering a diverse audience a place of respite and inspiration.
The article highlights the tension between the Smithsonian's commitment to its mission of increasing and diffusing knowledge for all Americans and the administration's demands for a more positive view of American history. The museum's director, Lonnie Bunch, has been navigating this difficult situation, with some staff members feeling that they are being forced to conform to a particular ideology.
The article also mentions the departure of Kim Sajet, who was recently appointed as the director of the Milwaukee Art Museum, and her decision not to engage with the Trump administration's pressure on museums. Sajet is quoted as saying that she loves Milwaukee and is excited about running an institution that can exist at the center of its local community.
The article also visits other museums in the United States, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which are taking different approaches to addressing the administration's demands. The curator at the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Kelly Oehler, is quoted as saying that she thinks of herself in a trajectory of 150 years of curators and is committed to offering a diverse audience a place of respite and inspiration.
Overall, the article suggests that the Smithsonian Institution is facing a difficult test of its autonomy and commitment to its mission. The institution's leadership must navigate the tension between conforming to the administration's demands and maintaining its independence and commitment to its core values.
Key points from the article:
* The Trump administration has been pressuring museums to conform to a more conservative view of American history.
* The Smithsonian Institution has been facing pressure to change its content and programming to align with the president's Executive Order 14253.
* Lonnie Bunch, the director of the Smithsonian Institution, is navigating this difficult situation and has been trying to maintain the institution's autonomy and commitment to its mission.
* Kim Sajet, who recently departed from her position as director of the National Portrait Gallery, has not engaged with the Trump administration's pressure on museums and is now running an independent institution in Milwaukee.
* Other museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, are taking different approaches to addressing the administration's demands.
* The curator at the Art Institute of Chicago, Sarah Kelly Oehler, is quoted as saying that she thinks of herself in a trajectory of 150 years of curators and is committed to offering a diverse audience a place of respite and inspiration.
. I mean, can't they just let museums do their thing? It's not like they're hurting anyone with some stuff on display. The Smithsonian is like the ultimate American treasure, you know? And now they're being forced to conform to this super narrow view of history? It's just sad 
. I think it's amazing that Kim Sajet is out there making a difference in Milwaukee and not getting caught up in all this drama 
. As for the Art Institute of Chicago, I love that they're keeping it real and diverse 
. It's time to let museums be museums again and not get caught up in politics 
.
. Can't have them conforming to just one ideology, gotta keep it open to everyone's perspective. People need to see their own history in the museums, not just some watered-down version. This whole situation with Trump and his order is a total overreach 
. Museums are meant to be safe spaces for curiosity and exploration, not ideological battlegrounds.
not just some right-wing agenda 
they shouldnt have to conform to politics, its art and history not elections 
It's like they're trying to rewrite history, but I think it's time for a little "re-write" of their own 
. Like, who does the Trump administration think it is? The museum police or something? 
And poor Lonnie Bunch, he's stuck in the middle with his hands tied behind his back 
. But hey, at least Kim Sajet is out there spreading her wings and showing them what's what 
. And those museums in Chicago and Milwaukee? They're like, "Hey, we got this!" 
It's a museum showdown! Who will win? I give it to the art crowd, they always have the most interesting drama 
they're supposed to be about knowledge and stuff but sometimes it feels like they gotta conform to who's in charge 
the smithsonian is struggling and i don't blame them, being told what to do by a president doesn't sound fun 