Dear A.R.T. Members,

In the coming weeks, the Senate may begin consideration of an appropriations bill that contains funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for fiscal year 2026.

The draft Senate bill proposes a small decrease for IMLS despite President Trump's budget proposal to eliminate the agency. Thanks to its past advocacy efforts, the cultural heritage community has been able to keep IMLS open despite previous attempts to shutter the agency.

We encourage you to contact your members of Congress and urge them to keep IMLS Office of Museum Services funding levels in the bill and to include additional safeguards to prevent the White House from cutting appropriated funds. Our colleagues at the American Alliance of Museums have a form that is easy to fill out to reach your representatives.

Contact Congress

Update on IMLS Lawsuit

In April, attorneys general from 21 states filed a lawsuit, Rhode Island v. Trump, to defend IMLS and prevent the Trump administration from cancelling grants awarded by the agency.

In May, the judge in the case issued a preliminary injunction requiring the White House to undo the steps it had taken to dismantle IMLS and prohibited further action against the agency.

In September, a coalition of museum, library, and cultural organizations filed an amicus brief as the case proceeded to the federal appellate level. We encourage you to read it.

Oral arguments have been scheduled for Thursday, December 4, in Boston.

Please feel free to reach out to the A.R.T. Advocacy Committee with questions, comments, and suggestions at advocacy@nycarchivists.org. 

Note: The above post is adapted from a message from our colleagues at the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). 

- Kirk Mudle, Advocacy Committee Director