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External Affairs Department

The External Affairs department of the Smithsonian American Art Museum includes public affairs and marketing, visitor services, special events, public programs including the Luce Foundation Center, and business ventures.

Public Programs and Calendar

The Office of Public Programs plans a wide array of exciting free events, from talks with artists to performances to behind-the-scenes tours and programs for kids. The program calendar is available online; or sign-up to receive a copy by mail.

Luce Foundation Center

The museum's Luce Foundation Center for American Art is the first visible art storage and study center in Washington, D.C. This innovative public space provides new ways to experience American art. Its imaginative design allows visitors to select an area to explore at a glance with more than 3,300 works from the permanent collection in secure glass cases. If you have a question or would like to schedule a tour, please contact the Luce Foundation Center information desk during museum hours, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., at (202) 633-5435 or e-mail saamluce@si.edu.

Special Events and Corporate Entertaining

The Offfice of Special Events plans museum events and is the contact for corporations and foundations that wish to host a dinner or reception. Event spaces are available in the museum's gloriously renovated National Historic Landmark building, located in the heart of Washington, D.C.'s new downtown, or at the museum's Renwick Gallery, located across the street from the White House. For more information, contact saamevents@si.edu or call (202) 633-8534.

Public Affairs

The Office of Public Affairs actively promotes the museum and its programs, including the Renwick Gallery, and responds to inquiries from the press and the public. Updated materials, including online press kits for exhibitions, are available in the museum's Press Room.

Staff

Jo Ann Sims, Chief of External Affairs

Laura Baptiste, Public Affairs Officer

Georgina Bath, Program Coordinator, Luce Foundation Center for American Art

Lindsay Borst, Assistant, Luce Foundation Center for American Art

Edward Bray, Assistant, Luce Foundation Center for American Art

Bridget Callahan, Assistant, Luce Foundation Center for American Art

Emily Chamberlin, Special Events Manager

Katie Crooks, Public Programs Assistant

Laurel Fehrenbach, Public Programs Assistant

Lynn Gutter, Marketing & Community Development Manager

Amy Hutchins, Public Affairs Associate

Alli Jessing, Auditorium Program Coordinator

Robert Johnston, Special Assistant for Business Ventures

Chavon Jones, Special Events Coordinator

Nona Martin, Public Programs Manager

Janet Walker, Visitor Services Manager

Mandy Young, Public Affairs Assistant

For further information about the External Affairs department, contact saaminfo@si.edu.

Pictured: Romare Bearden, Empress of the Blues, 1974, acrylic and pencil and printed paper, 36 x 48 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase in part through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment