During U.S. federal government shutdowns, federally funded museums, research centers, and national zoos may temporarily close due to lack of funding.
October 12, 2025
high
temporal
Describes operational impacts on federally funded cultural and research institutions during shutdowns.
Museums commonly maintain off-site storage facilities to house parts of their collections that are not on public display.
high
general
Practice used by museums to store and manage items not exhibited in galleries.
Museums and cultural institutions may classify certain cultural artifacts, such as Native American baskets and other Indigenous objects, as particularly sensitive and subject to special handling or consideration.
high
general
Classification practice relating to sensitive cultural materials in collections management.
Prosecutors (including district attorneys and state attorneys general), museums, and courts can confiscate or transfer custody of antiquities and return them to a country of origin when the items are determined to have been illegally removed.
high
legal
Legal mechanisms and institutional roles used in repatriation of cultural property.