The Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after it resumed a $750,000 grant.
Before any legal action is taken, Woodmere requests IMLS to review its grant termination. The museum confirmed by email that it was restored as it was preparing to go to court on Friday, September 12.
Woodmere received a letter to restore the grant on September 4, stating: “The Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) has completed the termination review process and will resume your federal grant. This action replaces any previous notice you may receive in connection with the termination of the grant.”
In 2024, Woodmere awarded a $750,000 grant through IMLS’s “Save America’s Treasures” program to revamp the museum’s catalog system and digital works for exhibitions to mark the country’s 250th anniversary.
Reimbursement for grants is allocated quarterly, and Woodmere has received approximately $195,000 in grants so far. However, the museum had signed several contracts when the grant was terminated, but, the work was completed by September 30.
“We are delighted to receive news of this important grant from IMLS reinstatement and we look forward to the key work that preserves, protects and leads to Woodmere’s collection,” said William Valerio, director and CEO of Woodmere, in a statement.
The lawsuit has been dismissed since the grants were restored.
Although some grants have been restored, unfortunately this is not the case for many who have lost their grants through IML.
In March, President Trump signed an executive order to “continue to reduce federal bureaucracy” that calls for “eliminating IML to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law” within seven days. The order follows another order that shortens seven federal agencies, including IML.
In June, the Government Accountability Agency (GAO) determined that the Trump administration’s withholding funds for IML violated the law. The IML legally needs to support the library and report important issues to Congress. However, after the president’s instructions, the GAO was part of Congress’ monitoring of federal spending, found that the IMLS “stop performing” and retained funds designed to support its goals.
In the same month, a federal judge ruled that it would not prevent the Trump administration from continuing to cut IML.
A national coalition also challenged the cuts, with a Rhode Island federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in May to stop layoffs. However, in a court application on August 11, the government said IMLS employees were told to reduce mandatory notices.
If the Trump administration’s proposed fiscal budget for 2026 is approved by Congress, IML will also face the possibility of a federal refund, allocating only $6 million, which will be used to shut down the agency and close in early 2026.
