Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia files lawsuit against Trump administration.

The Woodmere Art Museum, located in Philadelphia, has initiated legal action against the Trump administration following the revocation of a previously approved 0,000 federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). After exhausting all channels of appeal, including seeking assistance from local elected officials, the museum filed the lawsuit to challenge the cancellation of the grant intended for the preservation of significant art collections.

This legal challenge comes after Woodmere received an official notification about the grant cancellation earlier this year. Notably, approximately 5,000 of the awarded funds had already been disbursed to the museum prior to this abrupt communication. The lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, seeks the restoration of the full grant amount along with reimbursement for additional expenses incurred during this period of uncertainty.

The IMLS, a federal agency established by Congress in 1996, was targeted for budget cuts early in President Trump’s administration. In March, the administration announced significant staffing changes at the IMLS, subsequently halting its grant programs. While other organizations managed to restore their grants post-cancellation, Woodmere remains hopeful that its grant will also be reinstated, citing alignment with the administration’s goals of promoting American heritage through art collections.

Established through the Save America’s Treasures program, the original grant was designated for vital conservation projects, including the restoration of George Biddle’s drawings from the Nuremberg trials, the expansion of storage facilities, and the digitization of artworks. The terms of the grant required a matching fund commitment from Woodmere, which the museum successfully met.

The cancellation of this vital funding has left the museum in a precarious situation, forcing it to search for alternative financial support to sustain essential projects. Plans for future exhibitions, including the anticipated America 250th celebration titled “The Arc of Promise,” set to debut in 2026, are now jeopardized.

Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that the executive cancellation of already appropriated funds infringes upon Congress’s power, arguing that such unilateral action is unconstitutional. The court papers also emphasize the reliance Woodmere placed on the granted funds in soliciting matching contributions and entering into contracts for the conservation work.

As Woodmere strives to stabilize its financial footing amidst these challenges, the outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent regarding the authority of executive power over federally appropriated funding. The museum continues to seek support to ensure the continuity of its critical conservation efforts and the presentation of its artistic heritage.