Director’s Circle

Two lecturers talk about in art in front of an audience in the Lincoln Gallery

About Director's Circle

Director’s Circle is a national philanthropic community committed to celebrating the creativity of our nations’ artists, and supporting SAAM’s mission to advance American art and craft. In gratitude for our patrons’ support, Director’s Circle receives premier access to museum scholars and collections year-round.

Questions about Director’s Circle?

Leigh Hicks, Development Officer 

(202) 633-8393 

hicksel@si.edu

 

Core Benefits

Director's Circle dinner in the Kogod Courtyard

Director's Circle patrons receive a host of benefits through the year. These include:

  • Invitation to our Annual Director's Circle Dinner featuring a celebrated American artist
  • Private tours of museum exhibitions and insider access to special projects
  • Invitations to VIP exhibition openings
  • Reserved seating for select public lectures and symposia
  • Reciprocal admission at more than 1,000 national museums 
  • 20% discount in Museum Stores and the Courtyard Cafe
  • Invitation to annual state-of-the-museum event with SAAM Director

Get full benefit breakdown in our brochure and preview our calendar!

Join Now

Contributor Level

$1,500 ($1,100 tax deductible)
Benefits
  • Complimentary invitation for two to the Director’s Circle Dinner
  • Invitations to exhibition opening receptions
  • Exclusive tours of exhibitions
  • Exhibition catalogue
  • Reciprocal admission at more than 1,000 national museums

Executive Level

$2,500 ($1,900 tax deductible)
Benefits

All the benefits of the Contributor Level plus:

  • Additional invitation for two to the Director’s Circle Dinner
  • Acknowledgement on the Director’s Circle Dinner program
  • Recognition in Smithsonian Annual Report

Connoisseur Level

$5,000 ($4,400 tax deductible)
Benefits

All the benefits of the Executive Level plus:

  • Private curator-led tour of the museum for you and your guests
  • Additional invitation for two to the Director’s Circle Dinner and exhibition openings

Patron Level

$10,000 ($9,300 tax deductible)
Benefits

All the benefits of the Connoisseur Level plus:

  • Lunch with a Curator
Leadership Level
$25,000 ($24,000 tax deductible)

All the benefits of the membership plus:

  • Director or Curator led tour of one art fair per year