Jenrette Foundation Releases Landmark Report on the State of American Decorative Arts

Findings reveal a field at a pivotal crossroads, calling for inclusion, innovation, and investment in the next generation.

NEW YORK, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation today announced the release of its new report, The State of American Decorative Arts, offering an unprecedented snapshot of the field’s current challenges, transformations, and future possibilities.

Based on original survey data, expert interviews, and a landmark convening held in January 2025, the report highlights a sector in flux—grappling with financial strain, evolving institutional priorities, and the need for greater diversity, accessibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“This is a moment of reckoning and reinvention,” said Benjamin Prosky, President of the Jenrette Foundation.”The field of decorative arts is expanding beyond traditional definitions and asking deeper questions about inclusion, stewardship, and public relevance. This report doesn’t just document where we are—it offers a path forward and is meant to be a call to action. We call upon grantmakers, private collectors, and philanthropists to bolster their efforts to sustain and grow an important area of scholarship and stewardship.”

Key findings from the report include:

• 93% of institutions are actively acquiring, but only 33% routinely deaccession, creating long-term storage and curatorial challenges.

• Nearly 80% offer internships and fellowships, yet entry-level, full-time jobs remain scarce.

• Rising operational costs, alongside threats to federal funding, are placing unprecedented pressure on institutions of all sizes.

• There is a growing scholarly focus on underrepresented makers, global influences, and multisensory interpretation.

• Technology and digital access remain underutilized, despite their potential to transform engagement and education.

The report concludes with four calls to action:

1. Fund exhibitions and publications that reflect diverse voices and histories.

2. Expand public access through digitization and open collections.

3. Support professional development to build a stronger pipeline of curators and scholars.

4. Embrace interdisciplinary research that connects decorative arts to broader cultural and historical narratives.

Download the full report
www.jenrette.org/archive/decorativeartsreport

Follow the conversation at #jenretteconvenes

About the Jenrette Foundation
The Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation is dedicated to the stewardship of historic preservation, decorative arts, and cultural education. With a commitment to convening leaders, supporting emerging professionals, and fostering inclusive scholarship, the Foundation continues the legacy of its founder by championing the living history of American material culture.