Author’s Note: This article was written in mid-April, and may not reflect the most current political developments regarding federal spending cuts.
As of March 14th, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) by gutting all funding, 304 million dollars, representing less than 0.1 percent of the federal budget. On March 31st, the entirety of the IMLS staff, being fewer than seventy-five people, was put on administrative leave. By April 9th, hundreds of museums and libraries across the country received termination letters for their IMLS grants—one of which was Ithaca’s local Sciencenter. The scope of what the administration has been able to implement—despite longstanding institutional checks—is both striking and underscores how significantly the landscape of federal policy and governance could shift in the years ahead.
In the words of the Sciencenter’s Executive Director, Michelle Kortenaar, “We fill that critical need for a place where kids can use their whole bodies to experience the world and learn about the world in a social setting.” Removing vital federal funding to museums directly endangers our youth and, subsequently, our future. Kortenaar continued, “There must be somewhere for children to have a fun experience with their family and not just be sitting in front of a screen.” This reminder speaks to the growing need for real-world engagement in an increasingly digital age. Museums spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us. They are essential spaces for learning, connection, and inspiration—making their preservation and support a matter of public interest. The Director of Exhibits & Facilities, Adrienne Testa, also spoke to the irreplaceable presence of museums like the Sciencenter: “I love working in a museum because you get to educate in much more experiential ways.” Museums serve as dynamic spaces offering children hands-on opportunities to engage with art, science, and history in ways that traditional classrooms often cannot. “This is where people grow up,” she said. Dismissing these institutions as “unnecessary” overlooks the important role they play in supporting the learning and development of future generations.
Upon receiving the termination letter from IMLS in early April, the Sciencenter lost 400,000 dollars of funding. One recent IMLS grant funded a collaboration with the Finger Lakes Library System, including Tompkins County Public Library, and the Sciencenter to loan out science kits to families in rural or underserved communities. “We were just in the beginning phases of a three-year program to build a partnership and support families who could or couldn’t attend the Sciencenter themselves,” Kortenaar explained.
Another significant IMLS grant was going towards the Science Park, completed thirty-two years ago, to revamp the spectacular, hands-on playground in front of the museum, “in desperate need of attention and love.” Re-imagining this space is crucial after so much time has allowed for the development of research on how children and their families learn together.
The Sciencenter, along with museums across the country, brace for the future as other federal funding sources lie at risk, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the National Institute of Health. These sources award grants to the Sciencenter to construct their unique traveling exhibitions, one of which the Sciencenter’s exhibits department is two years into right now. These traveling exhibits are then transported around the country to be rented out by other science centers and museums. The revenue from their traveling exhibits is another significant source of funding for the Sciencenter.
Federal support for the continuation of the Future Science Leaders program is at risk as well, through which lots of ICSD high school and middle school students participate. Behind keeping these volunteering programs afloat, well-functioning, and organized, there are full-time jobs to coordinate and schedule endless events, training, and engagement opportunities.
In a call to action, Kortenaar also asks anyone with the capacity to “write their congressman, call their representatives, and make the struggle clear.” As cornerstones of public access to knowledge and history, their preservation is essential to ensuring an informed and inspired society. Letitia James, our current New York State attorney general, has joined in filing a lawsuit with attorneys general in twenty states in challenging the budget cuts.
Institutions like the Sciencenter create safe, welcoming, educational spaces for everyone who walks through their doors. “I hope that getting word out inspires our community to come visit the Sciencenter,” Testa said, “Whether you come for free or through paying for admission, as long as you’re showing up for us, it demonstrates how essential we are for our community.” It’s how we give back to institutions that have spent years lifting us up. In a moment when funding is uncertain and futures are fragile, the best thing we can do is stand beside them.
In a time when cultural understanding and historical context are more vital than ever, funding cuts to the IMLS threaten to silence the very institutions tasked with educating the public, fostering community, and protecting our past. The country is witnessing increasingly assertive efforts as the current presidential administration pursues significant reductions in federal spending.
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