National Gallery of Art Protects Works Ahead of Trump's IndyCar Race
The National Gallery of Art (NGA) in Washington, DC, has boarded up certain structures and adjusted installations ahead of an IndyCar race later this month tied to President Trump’s “Freedom 250” celebrations, amid concerns about vibration impacts on nearby museum collections. The NGA, located on the 1.7-mile Freedom 250 Grand Prix circuit alongside institutions such as the Hirshhorn Museum, the National Archives, and the National Museum of the American Indian, said it conducted a study “out of a great abundance of caution” but is not disclosing specific findings. Reporting cited by Hyperallergic says some artworks were reinstalled to face away from the racetrack side of the building, and images showed protective boarding around outdoor elements including I.M. Pei skylights in front of the East Building and an outdoor Alexander Calder sculpture. A White House spokesperson said the White House and IndyCar’s parent company, Penske Corporation, coordinated with relevant agencies to ensure safety and security for visitors.
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This story was covered in Museums Under Pressure, Banksy’s Price Tag