Pueblo, CO – Colorado Springs and Pueblo are facing a significant funding crisis after the federal agency responsible for distributing grants to museums and libraries, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), placed all its employees on administrative leave. The move, which occurred earlier this week, has put future funding for special projects at risk, including grants that many local institutions had already relied on for ongoing and upcoming exhibitions.
The IMLS, which awards millions in grants annually, was recently affected by an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump. The order mandates the winding down of several federal agencies, including the IMLS, which the administration deemed unnecessary. As a result, the agency’s operations have come to an abrupt halt, leaving museums and libraries across the country, including those in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, uncertain about their financial future.
In 2024 alone, the IMLS awarded more than $266 million in grants to museums, libraries, and related organizations. However, the recent administrative shutdown has disrupted the processing of 2025 applications and cast doubt on the status of previously awarded grants. According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3403, the union representing IMLS workers, all work on grant processing has ceased, and many institutions may face the cancellation of their funding.
One local institution impacted by this funding disruption is the Western Museum of Mining and Industry in Colorado Springs. The museum had received a $25,000 grant in 2024 to help fund a new permanent exhibit on the diverse backgrounds of miners. Grant Dewey, the museum’s executive director, explained that while the museum had already begun research for the exhibit, the uncertainty surrounding the funding has forced them to put the project on hold.
“It was really awkward to think, okay, you’re in the middle of it, they’ve already committed the funds to you, and then to pull it back was really hard,” Dewey said. “I think most organizations, museums, let’s say, are trying to move away from dependency on large government funding, because it can be so difficult when it gets pulled and it’s very competitive. You don’t always know if you’re going to get it.”
The IMLS has been a crucial source of funding for many local museums and educational centers. Between 2019 and 2024, the agency awarded nearly $750,000 in grants to cultural institutions in the Colorado Springs and Pueblo area. These funds have supported everything from exhibit installations to educational programming and outreach.
As of now, the future of those grants remains unclear, leaving many organizations scrambling to secure alternative sources of funding. Without the IMLS, which has been a consistent lifeline for smaller museums and libraries, it remains to be seen how local institutions will cope with the sudden loss of financial support.
The situation has underscored the precarious nature of relying on government funding for nonprofit institutions, particularly those focused on cultural and educational services. While some museums may seek alternative funding sources or reallocate resources to weather the storm, many are left in a holding pattern, unsure of whether they will be able to continue their planned projects.
The lack of clarity around IMLS funding not only poses challenges for the institutions directly involved but also raises broader questions about the future of cultural funding at the federal level. With agencies like the IMLS under threat, museums, libraries, and educational centers across the country may face a growing struggle to maintain their operations and continue serving the public.
