September 30, 2025

This page will continue to be updated as new information becomes available

Federal government shutdowns have significant consequences for workers, local economies, and the institutions that safeguard our nation’s history and culture.

During past government shutdowns, thousands of furloughed federal workers, including staff at the National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and others—many of whom depend upon their regular paycheck for essentials such as food, rent, and childcare—were without an income and in a state of crisis. The situation is even more dire for contract workers who do not receive back pay after a shutdown ends. Museums nationwide that depend on federal funding were forced to halt programs and place staff on leave, cutting off vital community services.

The economic impact of these closures is devastating for the institutions and for the many businesses that rely on the tourism they generate.

The damage from the 35-day 2018-2019 partial government shutdown—the longest in US history—was enormous and cost the government a total of $5 billion and included:

• The Smithsonian’s 19 museums lost an estimated 1 million visitors. The institution lost an estimated $3.4 million in gross revenue from its gift shops, concessions and IMAX film screenings, which can never be gained back.
• The National Gallery of Art lost an estimated 334,000 visitors, including 11,700 schoolchildren, and an estimated $1.2 million in gross revenue from its shops and restaurants.
• National parks lost between $10 million and $11 million in revenue.

During the October 2013 shutdown:

• The National Park Service estimated that $500 million in visitor spending was lost, causing significant economic damage to communities surrounding national parks and monuments.
• The Smithsonian Institution lost $4 million in store, theater, and special events revenue.
• The USS Constitution Museum (MA) was forced to close because it is located on the grounds of the Charleston Navy Yard. The museum attempted to remain open to the public, creating “museum on the move,” a pop-up tent with hands-on activities, samples of Old Ironsides’ wood and souvenirs. However, the museum lost more than $100,000 in donations and gift shop sales during the shutdown.
• The US Travel Association calculated that the shutdown cost the US travel economy $152 million per day and put 450,000 US workers supported by the travel industry at risk of experiencing temporary layoffs, reduced wages, and decreased hours.

These effects extend beyond shuttered doors. During government shutdowns, federal agencies that fund or partner with museum, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Science Foundation (NSF), historic preservation programs, Save America’s Treasures, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), are stalled resulting in the delay of critical support to museums across the country and the communities they serve.

Museums are powerful economic engines, supporting more than 726,000 jobs and contributing $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Even a brief shutdown undermines this impact.

Public support for museums is overwhelming: 95% of voters would approve of lawmakers who acted to support museums and 96% want federal funding for museums to be maintained or increased.

Museums impacted by the government shutdown are encouraged to contact AAM to share their experience.