The Trump administration has been clear about what it doesn’t like in museums. With “Freedom Trucks”—a fleet of mobile exhibitions—the White House has been able to take its preferred version of the American story on the road, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.

“If images today have a way of eating up time, keeping our fingers scrolling, Hockney’s works might be said to give it back.” Kelsey Ables on the late artist’s ability to reclaim life’s passing moments:

The new Obama Presidential Center, in Chicago, is inspiring—but departs from other presidential libraries in a crucial, and risky, way, @kelseyables.bsky.social reports.

The Women’s History Museum seemed to be a rare cause almost everyone could get behind—but new challenges to its construction and content demonstrate that nothing is safe from Trump’s culture war, @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:

The Women’s History Museum seemed to be a rare cause almost everyone could get behind—but new challenges to its construction demonstrate that nothing is safe from Trump’s culture war, @kelseyables.bsky.social argues:

The Women’s History Museum is caught in legislative purgatory after House Republicans, with White House "assistance," amended a bill to bar the new Smithsonian from including trans women and give Trump final say on its location. My latest @theatlantic.com www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...

Really fascinating to watch artistic institutions try to thread this needle... An important piece by @kelseyables.bsky.social: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...

A cautious new approach to Trump's impeachments at the Smithsonian: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...

The Alma Allen exhibit at the Venice Biennale -- an example of what @skornhaber.bsky.social calls "pariah-state minimalism" -- barely leaves an impression at all: www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...

Some pretty excellent news! www.theatlantic.com/press-releas...

As a longtime reader and admirer of @TheAtlantic, I’m so excited to join the team! I’ll continue writing on art and politics and how the current administration is reshaping cultural institutions, in addition to exploring my interests in museums, architecture, and design.

The National Historic Preservation Act doesn't mandate preservation—but journalism can. Learn how @timothynoah.bsky.social and fellow reporters (@kelseyables.bsky.social and others) are holding powerbrokers accountable for our New Deal heritage. trib.al/BugeuQy

"Cultural institutions have long had space on their walls for political leaders and wealthy patrons, but in the Cohen Building murals, it's ordinary American workers that star." @kelseyables.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

A deep dive on D.C.'s Cohen Building -- the "Sistine Chapel of the New Deal" -- from @kelseyables.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

The driver’s eye-view on Dulles’ mobile lounges. “The train is great; it’s efficient. But you don’t have that joy.” cc @kelseyables.bsky.social

Consider the people mover: www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/1...

Also! @janaykingsberry.bsky.social and @kelseyables.bsky.social recently became arts reporters in the section, covering prominent institutions as they face changes and pressure from the Trump administration — joining @travismandrews.bsky.social (Kennedy Center and much more) and our arts critics

The National Council for the NEH had 26 scholars and leaders serving humanities efforts across the U.S. After today’s White House firings, it’s down to just 4 Trump-appointed White men, one terminated member told me. From me, @travismandrews.bsky.social and @kelseyables.bsky.social: wapo.st/3IRQBdg

Jim Sanborn is going to sell the unsolved solution to his famous Kryptos sculpture at CIA headquarters. He tells @kelseyables.bsky.social about it. www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...

U.S. flags, “Stop the Steal” and the Virginia state motto are finding a home in a political battle halfway around the world from DC, as supporters and critics of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol invoke familiar American symbols of freedom and defiance. Gift link: wapo.st/4j1Ztu2