Less than a week after the National Gallery of Art announced its temporary closure due to the ongoing United States government shutdown, the rest of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, centers, and the National Zoo followed suit, officially closing to the public this Sunday, October 12. The Smithsonian warned that the closures would ensue after the institution used prior-year funding to keep its doors open as long as possible.
Assuaging the most pressing of worries, the Smithsonian’s closure announcement outlined that the animals at its National Zoo and the Conservation Biology Institute would continue to be fed and cared for. But while Qing Bao the giant panda still gets her daily spread of bamboo (though off-camera for now), non-exempted government employees at the Smithsonian museums and research centers are expected to be furloughed, a spokesperson confirmed to Hyperallergic last week.
“We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved,” the Smithsonian said on Instagram, noting that it will not be posting on social media other than to provide information on its closure and reopening.
Hyperallergic has reached out to the Smithsonian for details regarding the status of other essential functions for institutional maintenance.
The closure announcement comes as the government shutdown enters its third week and Congress remains in a stalemate on healthcare policy. It also comes ahead of the scheduled opening of major Smithsonian exhibitions, such as The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Art, slated to open on October 18.
In the meantime, tourists, school field trip groups, and locals in Washington, DC, are reportedly feeling sorely disappointed and scrambling to change their plans. Scholars and other information seekers have been directed to the Smithsonian’s digital research portals for the time being.
