What Makes the Smithsonian Institution So Important?
On Thursday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order focusing on the Smithsonian Institution , a massive research and museum entity overseeing over 20 institutions across various locations, attracting millions annually, particularly in cities like Washington D.C., and New York City. These venues encompass places such as the National Museum of African Art, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of the American Indian, along with the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). This last institution was specifically referenced in an executive order issued by President Trump. In this directive, he tasked Vice-President JD Vance with removing "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideologies" from the exhibits at these Smithsonian facilities.
Related: Trump’s weird obsession with the arts is part of the authoritarian playbook | Charlotte Higgins
The Smithsonian has already faced criticism from Trump and his supporters. Earlier this year, the organization was compelled to close its diversity office and halted all federal employment.
However, what exactly is the Smithsonian Institution, and why does it hold significance?
What does the Smithsonian Institution entail?
Conceived in the 1800s by James Smithson, a British scientist who left his fortune with the aim of founding an entity for "the increase and diffusion of knowledge," the Smithsonian Institution was established. budget Last year, it surpassed the billion-dollar mark. According to its website, it is recognized as "the world's largest museum, educational, and research complex." The Smithsonian Institution houses over 150 million artifacts, encompassing an extensive array of historical items, scientific samples, fossils from plants and animals, works of art, and various other objects and materials.
The organization is not part of the government; it's an independent entity. “trust instrumentality” In the United States, this entity was established through congressional action. Its governance falls under a board of regents comprising the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Vice-President, three representatives from each chamber of Congress, along with nine designated citizens. This directive aims to introduce additional "citizen members" to the board, individuals dedicated to promoting the policies outlined in this directive.
What does the Smithsonian collection consist of?
The collection of the Smithsonian Institution is enormous – at any one time, less than 1% of the collection is exhibited, and certain portions remain out of view. available online. The Smithsonian Institution houses a vast array of artworks that span over 6,000 years from various cultures, along with an extensive oral history archive, sculptures, historic artifacts, entire aircrafts, rockets, and space vehicles, as well as microalgae, blooming plants, tiny flora, sea creatures, land mammals, and ancient fossils—to name just some categories. A significant portion of these collections serves purely scholarly use.
Is any particular Smithsonian museum being targeted?
Trump’s executive order specifically targets the American Women’s History Museum, Currently, this only exists as an online exhibition, with intentions to build a physical museum later. The organization condemned the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) for their display "The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture," which “ investigates for the first time The manner in which sculptures have influenced and mirrored perceptions and comprehension regarding race within the United States is highlighted. This directive particularly focuses on the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), established in 2016 under the guidance of historian Lonnie G. Bunch III, who became the first Black American Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
In 2017, Trump toured the NMAAHC and celebrated its existence.
"I feel profoundly honored that we now have a museum dedicated to celebrating the contributions of millions of African American men and women who have shaped our nation’s legacy, particularly in areas such as faith, culture, and the indomitable American spirit," he said. said I am aware that President [Barack] Obama visited the museum during its opening ceremony last autumn. It is an honor for me to be the second serving president to tour this magnificent museum.
Earlier this year, Bunch spoke regarding America’s impending 250th celebration, and the forthcoming Trump administration.
It’s evident that the Smithsonian, by its essence… is inherently guided by top-notch scholarly work. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that when delving into areas like art, history, culture, and science—by their very nature—you will inevitably encounter controversies. These subjects naturally involve various perspectives. The objective should never be to instill self-censorship within the Smithsonian; instead, it must accept that educating numerous individuals—with differing views ranging from complete agreement with your interpretations to those holding opposing viewpoints—is essential.
Has the Smithsonian Institution encountered censorship issues in the past?
In 2010, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery pulled a video called A Fire in My Belly," created during the peak of the AIDS crisis, following opposition from the Catholic League and certain members of the House of Representatives, such as John Boehner and Eric Cantor. voiced opposition to its inclusion.
Last year, LGBTQ+ staff members at the Smithsonian Institution stated that the institution had canceled various drag performances that were initially scheduled, following an oversight hearing conducted by the House of Representatives.
