Natural Disasters and Political Instability Impact U.S. Museum Attendance in 2025
In 2025, U.S. museum attendance was significantly affected by natural disasters and political instability, according to The Art Newspaper's annual survey. The Getty Villa in Los Angeles experienced a nearly 60% drop in visitors due to a six-month closure following the January wildfires. Additionally, a federal government shutdown in the fall led to a substantial decrease in attendance at D.C. museums, with the National Gallery of Art losing over a quarter of its audience. Despite these challenges, some institutions like New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago saw increases in visitorship, attributed to blockbuster exhibitions and the reopening of key galleries. 
