Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get more information about Smithsonian Affiliations?

Created by the Smithsonian Board of Regents in the fall of 1996, Smithsonian Affiliations offers nonprofit cultural and educational organizations the opportunity to have greater access to Smithsonian collections and resources, Smithsonian Affiliations to draw the Smithsonian closer to all of America.

Established as a result of the overwhelming response from community leaders following the Smithsonian's 150th Anniversary traveling exhibition, the program's mission is to make the extensive Smithsonian collections more accessible to the American people by lending artifacts to museums and cultural institutions across the country.

In addition to borrowing objects from the Institution's collections, many affiliates are incorporating the outreach services the Smithsonian offers-for curriculum development in local schools, lectures, traveling exhibitions, workshops, study tours and similar programmatic activities. The Smithsonian also shares with affiliates staff expertise in areas of conservation, collections care and exhibition development. Additionally, a Smithsonian affiliate may use the tag line, "in association with the Smithsonian Institution" with the organization's name.

The goal of Smithsonian Affiliations is to establish meaningful relationships with communities by working with local museums and cultural institutions to maximize the cultural and educational benefits that both the Smithsonian and the affiliate can impart to the community.

Smithsonian Affiliations accepts applications from nonprofit cultural or educational institutions interested in obtaining Smithsonian collections on a long-term basis.  The Smithsonian considers proposals from institutions whose missions are parallel to that of the Smithsonian and are committed to "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." 

Cultural or educational nonprofit organizations interested in applying to Smithsonian Affiliations need to submit a proposal to the Smithsonian.  The proposal should include documentation verifying the organization's nonprofit status, a mission statement, the museum's organizational chart, annual reports and copies of IRS Forms 990 or equivalent (past 2 years), the organization's collections management policy, a facility report, a profile summary sheet, and a narrative.

Three copies of the complete proposal should be submitted to the Smithsonian Affiliations for review and consideration.  The proposals should be sent to:

Smithsonian Affiliations
Smithsonian Institution
P.O. Box 37012, MRC 942
Washington, DC  20013-7012

The proposal review process takes about four weeks, once Smithsonian Affiliations has received a complete proposal with all the pertinent documents.  The affiliation itself is meant to be a long-term, collections-based relationship between the affiliate and the Smithsonian.  Object loans are for defined time periods, not to exceed ten years; extensions to that time period may be made upon mutual agreement of all parties.

If the proposal is approved,Smithsonian Affiliations drafts a Letter of Intent (LOI), which outlines the terms and conditions of the affiliation between the Smithsonian and the affiliate institution, along with details of the Memorandum of Understanding and implementation. The Smithsonian and the affiliating institution sign the LOI. Upon signing the LOI, the affiliate returns a copy of it along with a check for $2500. Subsequent payments of $2500 are due on the anniversary date of the signing of the LOI for as long as both parties agree to continue the relationship.

The Smithsonian will notify the applicant in writing if the proposal is not accepted and will explain the reasons why it was not accepted. 

In addition to the annual fee, the affiliate institution reimburses the Smithsonian for costs incurred in developing the affiliate's projects. Costs vary depending on the scope of the artifact loan and programmatic requests submitted by the affiliate.  Expenses typically involve insurance, packing and shipping, appraisals, photography, conservation, copyright clearances, installation and de-installation of exhibitions, security, and travel.

Most information about Smithsonian Affiliations is available through this web site, but organizations with specific questions or an interest in obtaining hard copies of materials should contact Alma Douglas at the Smithsonian Affiliations at 202.633.5300.

A) This web site contains information from numerous Smithsonian educational and program offices. Should you happen to see an individual program of interest, you are encouraged to contact that office directly for further information.

B) Standard artifact loans may be initiated by writing to the appropriate museum. Your request should identify the specific artifact(s) you wish to borrow; the plans for their handling, care, and display; the length of your exhibition; and your intended audience. Curators, registrars, and loan coordinators will handle your request from there.