For The Journey Ahead

January is often framed as a fresh start. In practice, it’s more of a reckoning with what didn’t get resolved before the calendar turned.

As we write this issue of The Moment, we’re almost a month into 2026, and the air in the United States feels heavy. Recent violence and escalating tensions have made this year’s “fresh start” feel palpably brief.

For people working in museums, archives, and libraries, the year ahead feels, once again, uncertain.

FY2026 federal funding still isn’t approved, and another shutdown is back on the table for late January (though we’ve seen positive signs). When federal decisions stall, the consequences don’t stay in Washington. They affect people, places, and progress everywhere. 

It makes sense that the question we keep hearing is a blunt one:

Is there anything left we can do?

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE FIELD 

Much of the pressure we’re feeling points back to one underlying issue: FY2026 funding remains unresolved. That uncertainty touches major parts of the cultural heritage ecosystem, including IMLS, NEH, NEA, and the SHPO and THPO programs.

Then there’s the potential shutdown. No one reading this needs an explanation of what another shutdown means. You’ve already lived through the “pause and scramble” cycle: projects slowed or halted, hiring freezes, and work piling up.

Funding delays don’t only slow programs. They push talent out of the field, contributing to brain drain and its lasting repercussions. They also strain the small businesses, local nonprofits, and community organizations that partner with museums. 

And somewhere in the middle of all that is the unquantifiable emotional cost. Working under constant uncertainty wears on all of us.

It’s not all doom and gloom 

There is some good news, albeit not “everything is fine” good news, but signs that the gears are still turning in places that matter. More than ever, small wins help keep hope alive. 

In December, the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a suit challenging construction of a White House ballroom on legal, procedural, and preservation grounds. Although the court stopped short of an immediate halt, it ordered the White House to submit its plans for formal federal review, reinforcing that preservation concerns cannot simply be bypassed.

You don’t need to follow every legal detail to see the signal here. Organizations are moving beyond statements and into action, creating accountability where it matters. We also saw a bright spot in philanthropy. The Japanese American National Museum, which we’ve covered before, received a $20 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott—the largest in the museum’s history.

This brings to mind the idea of noblesse oblige. Meaning, when someone has outsized resources, what they do with them matters. Those resources can strengthen and stabilize institutions and communities. 

(SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma also shares an interesting perspective on the uber-wealthy’s philanthropy across different eras. We hope to see more privileged individuals following MacKenzie Scott’s example in the future.)

Back on the policy front, there was a big win late last year. A coalition of 21 states challenged efforts to dismantle IMLS, and a federal court ruling reaffirmed IMLS’s statutory role and restored FY2025 funding.

That ruling doesn’t lock in the future, but it’s proof that coordinated action still has teeth.

SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?

Two things can be true at the same time: many of us are tired, and there’s still meaningful work to do. 

Many people in our community have shown up through direct advocacy, including voting and contacting representatives to push for funding restoration. That work still matters, but this moment also calls for a broader understanding of where influence comes from. 

Power doesn’t sit in one place. Rather, there are many centers of influence we can turn to. Some organizations, like the National Trust Historic Preservation, have the resources to litigate. Others can fund, convene, or publicly shape the narrative. One recent example comes from the publishing world, which has coordinated its efforts to press Congress to defend federal library funding. 

We’re also seeing state-level coalitions and leadership step in to influence federal outcomes. This approach increasingly shapes federal decisions from the state level up. 

Paying attention to these centers of influence—supporting them when they act and applying pressure when they don’t—is part of the work now. Preservation has always required long horizons. Staying engaged and strategic is how we endure beyond the present moment.

A final note as we begin the year 

A new year doesn’t mean we have to solve everything. Let this January serve not as a “fresh start” or “blank slate,” but as a moment to reset, recalibrate, and refocus on what we can do in the months ahead. 

The world may feel heavy right now, but we aren’t required to carry it at all times. Take small steps toward a better future. Find comfort in community, and celebrate the little wins along the way. 

So, is there anything left we can do?

Absolutely. Perhaps not all at once, and not all alone. But a little at a time, together. 

This blog post content was originally included in our community newsletter: The Moment -- where we respond quickly and thoughtfully to impactful events and decisions that challenge or disrupt our profession.