The Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood has successfully regained $750,000 in federal grant funding after the Trump administration reversed its decision to rescind the money. The reversal came less than two weeks after the museum filed a federal lawsuit challenging the government's withdrawal of the previously approved funds.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) sent a letter on Thursday informing the museum that it had completed a review process requested by Woodmere and decided to reinstate the grant. This development came just days before a scheduled federal court hearing on September 12, effectively resolving the legal dispute between the cultural institution and the federal government.
"We are thrilled to receive the news that the IMLS has reinstated this important grant and we look forward to the critical work of preserving, conserving and stewarding Woodmere's collection for the benefit of the public," said William Valerio, the museum's director and CEO, in an official statement. Amy Ferracci, the museum's director of marketing and communications, confirmed that the lawsuit has been dismissed and conservation projects will proceed as originally planned.
The $750,000 grant was initially awarded to Woodmere in September 2024 through the IMLS "Save America's Treasures" program, a federal initiative designed to preserve nationally significant historic properties and collections. According to museum leadership, the funds are earmarked for several critical infrastructure improvements, including updating the museum's outdated storage systems, digitizing works in its collection, and preparing for future exhibitions.
The controversy began in April when Woodmere received notice that its federal grant had been rescinded. The government cited that the grant's purpose was "no longer consistent with the agency's priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and the IMLS program." Despite multiple requests from the museum for a review of the termination decision, Woodmere reportedly never received a response from the federal agency.
Adding to the museum's frustration was the fact that the IMLS had reinstated two similar grants to other Philadelphia-area institutions while continuing to withhold Woodmere's funding. This apparent inconsistency in treatment prompted the museum to take legal action against multiple federal entities on August 26.
In its federal complaint, Woodmere sued the IMLS, the Office of Management and Budget, and the White House, alleging that the government's decision to cancel the funding was illegal and would cause "irreparable harm" to the institution. The lawsuit described the museum's predicament in stark terms, stating that "The IMLS's (April) letter caught Woodmere in midair, and it has been scrambling ever since to keep our (Save America's Treasures) project alive."
The legal victory represents more than just financial relief for the Chestnut Hill museum. The restored funding will allow Woodmere to move forward with essential conservation work that protects valuable cultural artifacts for future generations. The museum will now submit appropriate invoices to the IMLS for reimbursement as it carries out its planned projects.
Neither the IMLS, the Office of Management and Budget, nor the White House responded to requests for comment about the case or the decision to reverse course on the grant withdrawal. The resolution demonstrates the effectiveness of legal action in protecting cultural institutions' access to federal funding designated for preserving America's artistic heritage.
