The American museum landscape, long considered a cornerstone of cultural and educational life, is facing a year of unprecedented setbacks and uncertainty, according to the 2025 Annual National Snapshot of United States Museums. The report, published on November 11, 2025, by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), draws on responses from over 500 museum directors nationwide and paints a sobering picture: attendance is down, finances are shaky, and the sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has not just stalled—it’s gone into reverse.
For many in the museum world, 2025 felt like a step backward. The numbers are stark. More than half of museums (55%) reported fewer visitors than in 2019, a notable increase from the 49% lagging behind pre-pandemic attendance just the year before. Nearly one-third (29%) of museums attributed this drop to weakened travel and tourism, as well as ongoing economic uncertainty. As Marilyn Jackson, president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, told NPR, “For the first time since the pandemic, we’re seeing museums’ recovery in reverse.” The trend echoes broader challenges in the arts, as theaters and cinemas also struggle with changing consumer habits and declining foot traffic.
Financially, museums are feeling the pinch from all sides. Only half (52%) of museums surveyed reported stronger financial performance in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic years, down from 57% the previous year. The sector’s fragile rebound has been further undermined by a wave of federal actions in 2025. One-third (34%) of museums experienced the cancellation of government grants or contracts, most frequently from agencies such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The impact of these cancellations has been severe and, in most cases, irreplaceable. Only 8% of affected museums have managed to fully replace lost federal funding through foundations, sponsors, or donors, while a staggering 67% report that the funding gap remains unfilled.
These financial blows have forced museums into difficult decisions. Among those that lost federal funds, nearly a quarter (24%) have canceled programming for students, rural communities, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, or veterans. Another 28% have reduced programming for the general public, while 21% of all museums have deferred much-needed facility improvements or construction projects. The consequences ripple far beyond the exhibition halls, affecting the very communities museums strive to serve.
“We’re seeing corporations and foundations thinking twice about funding certain projects or programs they would have naturally funded in the past, because of all these executive orders that came down,” Jackson explained to NPR. She pointed directly to President Trump’s executive actions targeting museum programming as a key reason for the “chill on corporate philanthropy” now gripping the sector. The domino effect has been swift and brutal: fewer grants, fewer donations, and a growing sense of uncertainty about the future.
Despite the financial turbulence, museums have not retreated from their community roles. In fact, many have doubled down on their social mission. More than one-third (36%) of museums provided direct educational support in 2025, offering tutoring, after-school programs, and school supplies to local families. One-fifth (19%) offered workforce development or job training. Others stepped up to provide mental health and wellness resources, digital access and literacy services, civic engagement opportunities, and language access support. These efforts underscore museums’ evolving identity—not just as repositories of art and history, but as vital community anchors in times of need.
Still, the sector’s resilience is being tested as never before. The report highlights that after-school programs and programming for seniors and veterans—often lifelines for vulnerable populations—were among the first casualties of budget cuts in 2025. New exhibitions and maintenance projects have also been put on hold, further limiting what museums can offer their visitors. As Jackson put it, “Tourism is down as well, and many museums rely on tourists as part of their audience mix.” The drop in tourism has compounded the attendance problem, creating a feedback loop that’s hard to break.
Looking ahead to 2026, museum leaders are bracing for more headwinds. Inflation is now top of mind, with 53% of museum leaders citing it as a major worry for the coming year. “It’s complicated because inflation means museums are trying to keep up with salaries and paying their staff more,” Jackson noted. But at the same time, rising costs are squeezing family budgets, and a day at the museum is increasingly seen as a luxury that can be cut when money is tight.
To adapt, museums are getting creative. Some are strengthening their food options, hoping to entice visitors with a more complete experience. Others are opening their buildings to a wider array of public events and activities, from community meetings to concerts and festivals. The goal, Jackson said, is to make the case that museums are not just nice-to-have cultural institutions, but essential contributors to the local economy and quality of life. “Museums will have to adapt, and make the argument that museums are a vital part of the local economy,” she emphasized.
The data collected for the AAM’s annual survey has become a linchpin for advocacy efforts in Washington and beyond. By tracking key metrics since June 2020, the Alliance has been able to quantify the sector’s needs and make the case for renewed investment. The 2025 survey, fielded in July and August, drew responses from a broad cross-section of museum types, sizes, and geographic regions, allowing for a nuanced look at how different institutions are weathering the storm.
One thing is clear: the challenges facing museums are not just temporary blips, but signs of deeper shifts in how Americans engage with culture and community. As museums strive to rebuild, they are also reimagining their role in a rapidly changing world—one where the lines between education, social service, and cultural preservation are increasingly blurred.
Whether these efforts will be enough to reverse the sector’s fortunes remains to be seen. But for now, museum leaders remain committed to their mission, even as they navigate a landscape that feels more uncertain—and more essential—than ever.
