Museum responses to fascism (or not)

U.S. art museums face a critical juncture as they navigate political pressures and the limitations of their traditional funding models. By clinging to a facade of neutrality, many institutions fail to address systemic issues or respond effectively to attacks on cultural entities. Former museum director Maxwell Anderson and Oakland Museum of California director Lori Fogarty argue that museums must evolve into active civic participants by prioritizing internal transparency, staff empowerment, and genuine community engagement. Rather than relying on performative exhibitions featuring contemporary artists of color, institutions should leverage their historical collections to interrogate the nation's past, including the realities of the California genocide. Meaningful reform requires diversifying boards, fostering honest dialogue between leadership and staff, and aligning financial practices with social values to ensure museums serve as resilient, truth-telling spaces in a polarized democracy.