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Traveling Exhibition Program
As a federal institution, an important part of the mission of the Smithsonian American Art Museum is to make its collections and exhibitions available throughout the United States. The Traveling Exhibition Program was established to offer exhibitions of American art and educational materials to museums throughout the country.
Scheduling and Participation Fee
Exhibitions are usually scheduled for eight- to twelve-week periods, allowing four weeks between venues for packing and shipping. The participation fee varies from exhibition to exhibition and includes costs of preparing the works for travel, packing, crating, handling, transporting (including couriers if necessary), and maintaining insurance under the museum's policy.
For exhibitions with catalogues, three working copies will be provided at no additional cost, and additional copies can be ordered at a discount. A sample press release will be sent to each exhibitor, along with images that can be used for publicity. Additionally, label and text panel information is provided on a CD in Microsoft Word format.
Exhibition Materials and Services
Educational materials are available for many of the exhibitions. These materials may include teacher packets, brochures, video, etc. Curators may be available to lecture on request. Posters, notecards, and other items related to the exhibition may be available to purchase for resale in the exhibitor's shop.
General Requirements for Exhibitors
The exhibitor must be a nonprofit institution, essentially educational and aesthetic in purpose, that collects works of art and exhibits them to the public.
The exhibitor must have available professional staff trained in handling artwork.
The exhibitor must meet climate and security requirements and must submit an American Association of Museums' standard facilities report.
Further Information
For further general information or information on specific exhibitions mentioned here, please contact:
Traveling Exhibition Program
Smithsonian American Art Museum
MRC 970, PO Box 37012
Washington DC 20013-7012
Tel: (202) 633-8476
Fax: (202) 633-8493
Email: TerrellJS@si.edu
Pictured: William E. Artis, Untitled, about 1946, marble, 18 x 7 1/2 x 11 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment