Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Understanding the Smithsonian Institution: A Comprehensive Overview
Founded in the 19th century through the bequest of British scientist James Smithson, the Smithsonian Institution operates with an annual budget exceeding $1 billion. It bills itself as the “world’s largest museum, education, and research complex,” boasting an expansive collection of over 150 million items. These encompass a wide array of historical artifacts, scientific specimens, fossilized flora and fauna, artworks, and diverse cultural materials.
Delving into the Smithsonian’s Vast Collection
The Smithsonian Institution’s holdings are immense; less than 1% is typically on public display. However, significant portions of the collection are accessible online. This extensive compilation includes art pieces spanning six millennia and numerous cultures, oral histories, diverse sculptures, pivotal historical artifacts, actual-size aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. Furthermore, the collection features algae, flowering and microscopic plants, marine and land mammals, fossils, and a wealth of other objects. Many of these collections serve primarily for scholarly research purposes.
Examining Criticisms Towards Specific Smithsonian Museums
A recent executive order has specifically focused on the American Women’s History Museum, which currently exists as a digital exhibition with ambitions for a physical location. The order also singled out the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) for its exhibit, “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture.” This exhibit, according to the order, explores “the ways in which sculpture has shaped and reflected attitudes and understandings about race in the United States.” Additionally, the executive order targets the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), inaugurated in 2016 under the guidance of historian Lonnie G Bunch III, the Smithsonian’s inaugural African American secretary.
Notably, in 2017, the previous administration toured the NMAAHC and publicly praised its establishment.
“[We are] deeply proud that we now have a museum that honors the millions of African American men and women who built our national heritage, especially when it comes to faith, culture and the unbreakable American spirit,” it was stated. “I know President [Barack] Obama was here for the museum’s opening last fall. And I’m honored to be the second sitting president to visit this great museum.”
Earlier last year, Bunch discussed the upcoming 250th anniversary of America and the then-incoming administration.
“It’s really clear that the Smithsonian, by its very nature … is consistently informed by rigorous scholarship. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that examining art, history, culture, science – inherently involves engaging with debate. Inevitably, you will encounter varied perspectives. The objective here is unequivocally not to foster self-censorship within the Smithsonian, but to recognize its role in educating a broad public, including those who wholeheartedly agree with interpretations and those who fundamentally disagree. The Smithsonian must serve all.”
Prior Instances of Censorship Debates at the Smithsonian
In 2010, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery removed a video artwork titled “A Fire in My Belly.” This decision followed objections from the Catholic League and certain members of the House of Representatives, including prominent figures, regarding its inclusion in an exhibition. The artwork was created during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
More recently, in the past year, LGBTQ+ staff members at the Smithsonian Institution reported the cancellation of several previously scheduled drag performances. This cancellation occurred after a Congressional oversight hearing.