This has not been a good year for museums. An annual report released last month by the American Alliance of Museums showed that nationwide attendance and financial performance are trending in the wrong direction for the first time since the pandemic.

More than half of museums reported receiving fewer visitors than in 2019; and nearly one-third noted decreased attendance this year attributed to a drop in travel and tourism as well as the economic uncertainty brought on in part by tariffs, inflation and market instability.

AAM, which represents art and history museums, as well as science centers and zoos, surveyed 511 museum directors to cull its findings, which included a sobering section illustrating the impact of the sweeping federal policies and funding cuts implemented by the Trump

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