Trump Withdraws From Major Culture Preservation Groups
Two entities focused on global heritage and arts policy are among dozens the White House deemed “contrary to the interests” of the United States.
Two entities focused on global heritage and arts policy are among dozens the White House deemed “contrary to the interests” of the United States.
The interior of a church damaged by Russian shelling in Novoekonomichne, Ukraine (photo by Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
According to the White House, two international groups working on cultural heritage preservation and arts policy are “contrary to the interests of the United States” and “waste taxpayer dollars.”
The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) are among 66 organizations or treaties from which President Trump withdrew in a memorandum on Wednesday, January 7.
Headquartered in Australia, the IFACCA collaborates with government arts agencies and conducts research on issues that impact cultural policy decisions, such as arts funding and cultural labor. The group is perhaps best known for hosting the World Summit on Arts and Culture, whose 10th edition last year gathered artists and industry leaders to discuss topics including artificial intelligence, Indigenous knowledge, and fair working conditions.
Members of IFACCA include representatives for more than 70 countries, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the US arts funding agency that Trump has sought to dismantle. As of today, the NEA is still listed as a member on IFACCA's website. Hyperallergic has contacted IFACCA's executive director, Magdalena Moreno Mujica, as well as the NEA for comment.
Established in 1959 in response to mass cultural heritage loss during World War II, the ICCROM focuses on disaster risk management and conservation of historic sites, monuments, museum collections, and other forms of artistic patrimony. Its work includes training experts, leading research, and encouraging international bodies to cooperate on preservation. In September 2024, ICCROM partnered with the US State Department to help safeguard Ukrainian cultural sites under threat from Russian attacks.