There is a notable intersection between Trump supporters and art collectors, which often goes unacknowledged by the art community. Those within this intersection, who may have been largely unaffected by MAGA policies, could now face challenges.
Travelers from Visa Waiver countries such as France, Japan, and the UK may soon need to disclose emails, social media activity, and personal details to enter the US. This expansion of state surveillance, which has historically targeted immigrants, poses significant threats to the art industry, according to art advisor Rob Fields.
What becomes of American art fairs without their international buyers, or exhibitions without global contributions? Such considerations lead to more unsettling questions about the future American art scene without international artists, curators, and historians, as highlighted by Lakshmi Rivera Amin, associate editor.
Fields questions, “If entering the United States suddenly requires surrendering your digital life and your family’s private information, how long before people simply choose not to come?” This inquiry pertains to Trump’s immigration policies and their potential impact on the US’s role in the global art market.
