SmithsonianCampaign Smithsonian associates
Leadership Message Frederica R. Adelman Acting Director the smithsonian associates Millions of people visit Smithsonian museums every year and each visitor s experience is unique. However, once the visit ends, questions often surface. A frequent one is How can I learn more? The Smithsonian Associates, the largest museum-based educational program in the world, has offered the answers for a halfcentury. Through programming that sparks learning, enrichment and discovery for people of all ages, we provide a direct link to the Smithsonian s world of knowledge. More than 750 seminars, performances, lectures, studio art classes and local and regional study tours reach adults in the Washington, D.C., area annually. A season of performances at Discovery Theater, museum sleepovers and educationally focused summer camps foster the joys of learning for young people and offer Teachers and students across the country make the Smithsonian part of their classrooms through the Smithsonian Associates extensive National Education Outreach program, which brings Smithsonian-designed content and experts to a wide range of partnering museums and other community sites. In partnership with George Mason University, a Master of Arts degree program in the history of decorative arts provides training for the next generation of curators, design specialists and researchers. The Smithsonian Associates work is powered by the belief that to attract and excite audiences and nurture new ones museum-based learning must be real and relevant. By providing innovative ways to discover new ideas, information and creativity, the Associates transforms the Smithsonian into a partner as well as a resource. Thank you. The Smithsonian was founded on the principle that education empowers a nation. Every year, Smithsonian educators share the institution s knowledge, collections and research with more than 8 million learners, on-site and online. The Smithsonian Campaign will extend that reach as education becomes more and more technologically advanced and accessible, helping inspire the next generation of educators and building the spaces, resources and programs for learners of all ages engaged in exploring science, history, art and culture. them a gateway to the Smithsonian s rich array of museums and resources. 1
Case for Support Creating Your Smithsonian Your gifts to the Smithsonian Campaign will help fund the largest museumbased cultural and educational program in the world. Investments in the campaign will provide more opportunities for exciting, hands-on explorations of science, art, history, culture and performing arts through Smithsonian Summer Camps. ACCESS TO EDUCATION Smithsonian Associates programs connect with participants on a deeply personal level. Our audiences engage with pioneering scientists, authors, performers, social innovators, sports personalities and leaders in politics. Our performances introduce children to the music and dance of countries half a world away. Creativity blossoms as a weekend artist works in a Smithsonian studio, studying with a professional. Gifts to the campaign will help the Smithsonian Associates provide innovative lecture series, family programming, studio arts classes, study tours and performances for audiences in the greater Washington, D.C., area, as well as educational opportunities for students throughout America. SPACES FOR EDUCATION The Smithsonian Associates National Education Outreach designs and conducts community programs across the country by bringing teams of the institution s researchers, historians, curators, educators and other museum professionals to share their expertise with students, teachers and the public. From abstract art to environmental studies, the Smithsonian Scholars in the Schools program enriches lesson plans and ignites the desire among teachers and students to reach beyond the classroom. Through investments in the campaign, the Associates will bring the Smithsonian s resources to more communities, by presenting regional and digital national programs tailored to local themes. LEADERS IN EDUCATION In 2012, Discovery Theater launched Tools of Discovery in partnership with the District of Columbia Public Schools. The program trains pre-k and kindergarten teachers in theatrically based play techniques to support the system s new Tools of the Mind curriculum. Teachers use creative play to help students from economically disadvantaged areas develop critical pre-literacy skills. Funding from the Smithsonian Campaign will underwrite the training of actor-educators who provide instruction in Tools of Discovery techniques for teachers, as well as provide support for expansion of the program. 2 3
Our Campaign Priorities Through investments in the campaign, the Smithsonian Associates will bring the institution s resources to more communities, by presenting regional and digital national programs. The Smithsonian Associates inspires lifelong learning through its programs. Investments in the campaign will expand these offerings. ACCESS TO EDUCATION The Smithsonian Associates seeks a total of $3 million to enrich educational programming. An investment of $1.5 million endows an annual lecture series in art, science and history. A gift of $750,000 will enable the Associates to record and transmit select programs digitally to audiences across the nation. A gift of $750,000 supports family-focused programming, including summer camps and educational museum sleepovers. SPACES FOR EDUCATION The Smithsonian Associates seeks a total of $4 million for educational spaces and technologies. A gift of $2 million expands Discovery Theater and supports performances presented for young people and their families. An investment of $2 million revitalizes the lecture hall in the S. Dillon Ripley Center. LEADERS IN EDUCATION The Smithsonian Associates seeks a total of $1 million to endow educators professional development programs. This will enhance and expand national teachers workshops and Smithsonian collaborations with schools in the Washington, D.C., area. For more information, call 202.633.3030 or visit smithsoniancampaign.org. The Smithsonian Campaign will transform a national treasure into a catalyst for change. Please join us as we raise $1.5 billion to spark discovery, tell America s story, inspire lifelong learning and reach people everywhere. The Smithsonian Associates is raising $8 million of the Smithsonian Campaign s overall goal. SmithsonianCampaign 4
COVER Adult learners expand their creativity in studio arts classes offered by the Smithsonian Associates and often find inspiration around Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian Associates smithsonianassociates.org office of advancement 1100 Jefferson Drive, SW Suite 3077, PO Box 23293 Washington, DC 20026-3202 202.633.3030