In 2025, the headlines for museums were rarely optimistic. Federal funding cuts and censorship dominated the conversation, putting much of our sector on the defense. AAM’s Annual National Snapshot report confirms that the downturn isn’t only in morale—for the first time since the pandemic, the trend lines for attendance and finances are pointing down. As we work hard to safeguard museums in the present, imagining their future might feel like a luxury.

But as this year’s TrendsWatch underscores, looking ahead isn’t a luxury: it’s an essential part of leading the field forward. In fact, periods of challenge can be some of the most fruitful in planning for tomorrow. As key parts of our operating models face real stress tests, we have a fresh opportunity to look at them with clarity and question how well they truly serve us. And as we emerge from today’s crises, we can identify smarter ways to protect ourselves from those that lie ahead.

That’s the spirit in which this year’s report takes on three weighty challenges museums face: declines in philanthropy, gaps in leadership and succession, and political threats to the nonprofit model. While these topics may sound dismal, Elizabeth’s incisive analysis reminds us that they demand thoughtful action rather than panic. By resisting the urge to catastrophize, we can instead approach these issues with curiosity and reimagine the ways museums can succeed.

And as unlikely as it may feel in this moment, that future can be brighter than any past we’ve known—one with stronger and more reliable financial support, a robust pipeline of leaders, and a government that understands our value and invests in our impact. It’s up to us to build that future together.

11/11/2025