The National Gallery of Art in Washington will receive a $116 million donation from billionaire collector Mitchell P. Rales, a longtime trustee and former president. Rales says the gift will launch the “Across the Nation” loan program, allowing smaller museums to borrow works from the Gallery’s 160,000‑piece collection for two‑year periods. The endowment is the largest ever earmarked for programming at the institution.

Regional museums have struggled since the pandemic, facing tighter budgets and lower attendance. By covering shipping, insurance, installation and marketing, the fund removes barriers that typically deter loans. A pilot involving ten partners, from the Boise Art Museum to the Mint Museum, has already attracted nearly 900,000 visitors, demonstrating demand for high‑profile works outside Washington. These shows also boost local tourism revenues.

The initiative signals a shift toward private philanthropy filling gaps left by reduced public arts funding. Director Kaywin Feldman stresses that expanding access reinforces the Gallery’s national mandate, while Rales argues that diversified collections attract broader audiences. With the program funded in perpetuity, smaller institutions can now plan long‑term exhibitions without fearing unsustainable costs. The model could inspire similar endowments at other federal museums.