The Smithsonian Comprehensive Campaign
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1002435_Smithsonian.qxp:Layout 1 6/29/10 10:03 AM Page 1 JUNE 2010 briefing paper for the smithsonian comprehensive campaign Smithsonian Institution 1002435_Smithsonian.qxp:Layout 1 6/29/10 10:03 AM Page 2 SMITHSONIAN CAMPAIGN BRIEFING PAPER Smithsonian Institution at a Glance MUSEUMS Anacostia Community Museum Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden National Air and Space Museum and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center National Museum of African American History and Culture National Museum of African Art National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center National Museum of the American Indian and the George Gustav Heye Center National Museum of Natural History National Portrait Gallery National Postal Museum National Zoological Park Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery RESEARCH CENTERS Archives of American Art Museum Conservation Institute Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Smithsonian Institution Archives Smithsonian Institution Libraries Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage National Science Resources Center Office of Fellowships Smithsonian Affiliations Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service Smithsonian Latino Center The Smithsonian Associates 1002435_Smithsonian.qxp:Layout 1 6/29/10 10:03 AM Page 1 SMITHSONIAN CAMPAIGN BRIEFING PAPER The Smithsonian Stands in Singular Space WE ARE KEEPERS OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT and stewards of our sacred objects. We speak with voices that reflect our diversity and tell the stories that define our common experience. We explore our traditions and engage all seekers in continuous dialogue, as a democracy must to remain resilient. WE ARE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, affirming the value of knowledge developed openly for the benefit of all. We value every culture and see anew through the art of every people. From Antarctica to Africa, from the rainforests of the Guyana Shield to the banks of the Chesapeake, our scientists help to restore cultures, preserve environments, and enrich lives, working across boundaries for the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. WE ARE SHAPERS OF THE FUTURE, bringing to bear our vast collections and research of singular breadth and depth on the complex issues of our age. Moving forward, we will dissolve the walls among our museums and centers to reach across science and culture, history and art as surely as we will reach beyond ourselves in new and creative collaborations essential to lasting impact. We will be a leader in creating a comprehensive approach to a sustainable future for our planet and all the species on it. WE SET OUR SIGHTS HIGH. To be a powerful force for America and the world, the Smithsonian must have new philanthropic partners who share our vision. With these lasting partnerships as our ultimate aim, we are embarking on our first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, with a working goal of $1.5 billion. We are fortunate to enjoy steadfast federal support, embodying the commitment of America as a nation. That core funding sustains our infrastructure and fuels our operational engine. But only private support will allow us to mount innovative exhibitions and spark discovery and learning with public outreach in the years ahead. Only private support will open up access to our irreplaceable collections from every corner of the world and unleash technology to unlock the greatness that is already here. WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US on this next great journey as we transform the Smithsonian for a new era. 1 1002435_Smithsonian.qxp:Layout 1 6/29/10 10:03 AM Page 2 SMITHSONIAN CAMPAIGN BRIEFING PAPER Focusing Our Strengths, Engaging the World WHY NOW? At a time when the benefits of knowledge—and the risks Every day, the world becomes a smaller and faster place. of ignorance—are very high, America’s deeply overbur- dened school systems are experiencing dramatic budget Knowledge now travels in real time, and popular culture cuts and are forced to do more with less. Simultaneously, too often substitutes for deeper understanding of nations learning is more than ever a lifetime engagement, taking and peoples. Our communications evolve daily, especially place far beyond school walls. among the young, whose world is increasingly virtual, interactive, and on demand. The Smithsonian is the world’s largest classroom. Our educators deliver programs in every medium, The Smithsonian helps Americans understand each assist formal instruction with specialized curricula, other and the world—and tell our nation’s ever- and informally provide education for all ages with evolving story to an international audience—using onsite programs that spark learning. new forms of media to connect and engage. The Smithsonian is one of America’s most trusted It is also the age of big science; the unlocking of the institutions. genetic code and the emergence of new tools for exploring the universe have quickened the pace of discovery. Yet Unique in diversity and scale, the Smithsonian offers there is still much left to know, and even as we learn it, resources—across history, art, and science; in curation, our planet grows less biodiverse and the natural world conservation, and collections—that others cannot. We is threatened. are positioned to lead nationally and globally, and to aid other institutions as well as support the national agenda. The Smithsonian has the prestige and power to convene the greatest scientific minds from all nations. Yet we have not begun to tap our potential. This Uniquely suited to conduct complex studies over long campaign will give us the ability to engage in richer periods of time, we use our vast collections to answer and deeper explorations that will have a lasting questions about the past and help us prepare for impact on the planet. the future. 2 1002435_Smithsonian.qxp:Layout 1 6/29/10 10:03 AM Page 3 SMITHSONIAN CAMPAIGN BRIEFING PAPER What Gives Us the Power to Succeed? LEADERSHIP Four Grand Challenges: We are reinventing the Smithsonian for a new era. Led by Secretary G. Wayne Clough, the Regents, Museum Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe directors, and a strong senior staff, the Smithsonian has At the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, scientists steady hands at the helm. are working on the next generation of the Giant Magellan Telescope that could shed light on the big bang. VISION The National Air and Space Museum is adding research We have done the first hard thing: developing a strategic capacity to the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies plan that makes tough choices, defining four grand and historians are designing an exhibition that will show- challenges on which to focus our strengths in order to case new discoveries about the solar system. address issues critical to society. Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet COMMITMENT National Museum of Natural History researchers are pre- Each year, 30 million people visit Smithsonian museums serving the planet’s genetic diversity and helping to solve and more than 50 of our exhibitions travel to 250 com- humanity’s biological challenges, while at the National munities across the nation. Today, 188 million individuals Zoo, conservation biologists are restoring endangered seek us out online, with the promise of billions tomor- species to the wild. At the Smithsonian’s Environmental row. The Smithsonian goes into homes, schools, and Research Center, plans are underway to build Green communities worldwide. The reservoir of good will is Village, a sustainable community for scientists that will among our greatest resources, one that only awaits our help us leverage our world-class environmental research. outreach to become a deeper level of engagement. Valuing World Cultures EXPERIENCE The Freer and Sackler Galleries are reinstalling their The Smithsonian has earned the venerable place we Chinese Galleries to better display an exceptional collec- occupy in the American landscape by continuing to tion of Chinese art, while the National Museum of the serve and develop in every successive generation. Our American Indian is mounting an exhibition to celebrate distinguished reputation rests on 164 continuous years the legacy of the Inca Empire. At Smithsonian Institution of rigorous research, stellar stewardship, and creative Libraries, by digitizing world art and design collections, exhibitions that entertain as well as teach. we are creating a permanent record instantly shareable across the globe. Understanding the American Experience Documenting a critical part of the American experience, the Smithsonian will soon break ground for another museum—the National Museum of African American History and Culture. New galleries at the National Museum of American History will highlight themes of democracy, presidential leadership, and popular culture, while the Smithsonian Latino Center will chronicle the history of America’s Latino communities. The Asian Pacific American Program will use new media to tell the story of Asian peoples in the United States, and the Archives of American Art will deepen regional acquisi- tions to offer a more complete picture of the nation’s creative expression. 3 1002435_Smithsonian.qxp:Layout 1 6/29/10 10:03 AM Page 4 SMITHSONIAN CAMPAIGN BRIEFING PAPER What Will We Do? IF THE 19TH CENTURY was about building the Smithsonian’s foundation and the 20th about its expansion by establishing museums in science, art, history, and culture, then the 21st century is all about connection. We must integrate the vast knowledge residing in each part of the Smithsonian; apply it to the four grand challenges; and bring it to people wherever they live, work, and play. INSPIRE GENERATIONS Across three centuries, the Smithsonian has captivated visitors of every age, inspiring awe in adults who encounter the newly restored Star-Spangled Banner for the first time, and sparking discovery in youngsters who watch the wonders of the natural world unfold.