Penn Museum

Philadelphia, United States

1 Locations

The Penn Museum, officially known as the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, is a premier institution in Philadelphia specializing in archaeological research and education. It offers an array of exhibits, research initiatives, and educational programs dedicated to the understanding of cultures and histories from around the globe, particularly through the lens of archaeology and anthropology.

CCI Score

14.92

-0.01% April 18

Latest Event

Penn Museum Faces Federal Funding Threat from Trump Executive Order

The Penn Museum is assessing the impact of a Trump executive order aimed at dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provided over $1 million in federal funds for its M2A project. In response, the museum reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining community service and cultural research despite the loss of federal support.

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SABOTEUR

Penn Museum is currently rated as a Saboteur.

+10 to +24 CCI Score

Companies in this bracket take more subtle actions to undermine authoritarian practices. They might implement internal policies or support reforms that quietly weaken oppressive systems, contributing to change in less overt ways.

Latest Events

MAR

26

2025

Penn Museum Faces Federal Funding Threat from Trump Executive Order
49.68

The Penn Museum is assessing the impact of a Trump executive order aimed at dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provided over $1 million in federal funds for its M2A project. In response, the museum reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining community service and cultural research despite the loss of federal support.
+50

Public and Political Behavior

April 3

The institution is confronting an externally imposed funding threat due to an executive order that aims to dismantle a key federal agency, IMLS, which supports cultural and educational institutions. By publicly assessing the impact and reaffirming its commitment to community service and research, the Penn Museum implicitly resists policies aligned with authoritarian reductions of public support, thus reflecting progressive, anti-authoritarian values.

Federal funding for Penn Museum at risk as Trump eliminates agency supporting libraries, museums
MAR

14

2025

Penn Museum Assesses Funding Risks Amid Trump Administration's IMLS Elimination Order
39.61

In response to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump calling for the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services—the primary federal funding source for American museums—the Penn Museum is assessing the impact on its funding, which includes over $1 million granted for a research initiative. The museum reiterated its commitment to serving local, national, and global communities through ongoing research and educational programs despite these political challenges.
+40

Public and Political Behavior

April 3

The Penn Museum is depicted as a community-focused institution that is actively assessing funding risks stemming from an executive order by the Trump administration aimed at dismantling IMLS—a move viewed as part of broader authoritarian tendencies. By reaffirming its commitment to serving diverse communities and continuing its research initiatives despite potential financial setbacks, the museum demonstrates a stance that aligns with anti-authoritarian, public service values.

Federal funding for Penn Museum at risk as Trump eliminates agency supporting libraries, museums
MAY

12

2023

Penn Museum Workers Union Formation and Labor Rights Campaign
65.90

Workers at Penn Museum, united under Penn Museum Workers United, have organized to address issues of low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of accountability, demanding fair contracts and improved labor practices.
+80

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 3

The unionization effort by Penn Museum workers highlights a progressive move towards securing fair wages and better working conditions. The campaign, rooted in longstanding grievances over low pay, understaffing, and arbitrary dismissals, aligns with anti-authoritarian values by advocating for workers' rights and accountability. Such actions reinforce the ethical responsibility of an institution to treat its employees equitably.

Penn Museum Workers United on Unionizing, Their Fight for Fair Wages, and the Current State of Cultural Institutions
MAR

01

2023

Penn Museum Union Contract Negotiations and Labor Relations
-32.31

Workers at Penn Museum, represented by Penn Museum Workers United under AFSCME District Council 47, are engaged in contract negotiations aimed at standardizing pay and improving job security. The negotiations, which have evolved from virtual to in-person sessions, follow earlier allegations of union-busting tactics and a lack of transparency in the negotiation process.
-40

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 3

The contract negotiations highlight significant labor concerns, including previous union-busting tactics and opaque communication regarding employment terms. While moving to in-person sessions is a sign of attempting good faith, the historical treatment of workers and inadequate pay standards reveal problematic labor practices that undermine worker rights and fair labor conditions.

Penn Museum union advocates for standardized pay, job security in contract negotiations
AUG

01

2021

Penn Museum's Union-Busting Tactics Backfire
-48.27

In May 2021, Penn Museum workers filing for unionization were met with aggressive anti-union tactics, including the dissemination of misleading information and captive-audience meetings by management. Despite these efforts, the workers secured a union vote victory in August 2021.
-70

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

April 3

Penn Museum’s management executed union-busting practices by emailing false and misleading information, holding captive-audience meetings, and actively discouraging unionization. These actions undermine worker rights and align with authoritarian, anti-labor ideologies, warranting a strongly negative score in the labor relations and human rights category.

Penn’s Problematic History of Union-busting