Smithsonian Institution Closes Amid Third Week of Government Shutdown

The Smithsonian Institution, including its museums and the National Zoo, has been forced to close its doors due to the ongoing United States government shutdown. Following the National Gallery of Art’s recent closure, the Smithsonian implemented this decision after it exhausted prior-year funds that had kept operations running. Despite the closure, essential care for the National Zoo’s animals, such as the giant panda Qing Bao, will continue, albeit out of public view as online panda cams go dark.

Unfortunately, the Smithsonian’s facilities closure means furlough for non-exempt employees, affecting service operations and upcoming exhibitions, including “The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art” set for October 18 at the National Gallery of Art. With Congress at an impasse over healthcare policy, this shutdown has now entered its third week, causing inconvenience and disappointment among tourists, local residents, and school groups in Washington, DC.

As a contingency, the Smithsonian directs scholars and culture enthusiasts to its digital portals for ongoing access to its research facilities, while promising to update its operational status when circumstances change. This shutdown coincides at a time crucial for the cultural sector, underscoring the value of continued support for independent arts journalism and cultural institutions that greatly rely on community and member contributions to maintain their operations and editorial independence.