After more than six weeks of closure due to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and multiple Smithsonian Institution museums are preparing to welcome visitors back. The 43-day shutdown, which ended Thursday night following congressional approval of a new spending package signed by President Donald Trump, had forced the closure of these beloved cultural institutions since October 5.
The National Gallery of Art will officially reopen to the public on Friday, resuming normal business hours and full operations. As part of the reopening, the museum's popular amenities, including its espresso bar and cafes, will also return to service. The reopening marks the end of an unprecedented closure that prevented thousands of visitors from accessing one of the nation's premier art collections.
Simultaneously, several major Smithsonian museums will also resume operations on Friday. The National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will all reopen their doors to the public. The Smithsonian Institution, which operates a vast network of more than 30 museums and a zoo, announced that its remaining museums and research centers will reopen on a rolling basis beginning Monday, though the organization did not provide a detailed schedule for these additional reopenings.
The timing of the reopening is particularly significant for art enthusiasts, as it coincides with the debut of one of the season's most anticipated exhibitions. "The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art" will officially open on Saturday, marking what is being described as the largest survey of Australian Indigenous art ever staged outside of Australia. The groundbreaking exhibition features nearly 200 works and was originally scheduled to open in mid-October before the government shutdown derailed those plans.
"We are thrilled to welcome back visitors to the National Gallery of Art and debut The Stars We Do Not See, which brings important Indigenous Australian masterpieces to the United States, many for the first time," said National Gallery of Art director Kaywin Feldman in a statement. She emphasized that the exhibition represents "the result of a fruitful partnership with our colleagues at the National Gallery of Victoria" and described it as "a truly historic opportunity for our audiences to engage with the creativity and history of Australian First Nations art."
The government shutdown that forced these closures was triggered by bitter disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over federal spending priorities. The standoff lasted 43 days, surpassing all previous government shutdowns in duration and affecting numerous federal agencies and services across the country. The resolution came after intense negotiations and a vote by the House of Representatives to advance the spending package that President Trump ultimately signed into law.
The reopening of these cultural institutions represents a return to normalcy for Washington's vibrant arts scene and provides relief for both tourists and local residents who depend on these museums for education, inspiration, and cultural enrichment. With the immediate crisis resolved, visitors can once again explore the extensive collections and exhibitions that make the National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian museums cornerstones of American cultural life.
