Regarding the White House's letter proposing a review of activities at the Smithsonian in the lead-up to America250, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) released the following statement:

Established by Congressional charter in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has maintained scholarly independence as the cornerstone of its service to the American people, fulfilling James Smithson's vision of advancing and sharing human understanding. Indeed, the Smithsonian Institution excels when its scientists, historians, and curators are able to determine the direction of their research and exhibitions—part of its great strength. We again voice our unwavering support for this institution, its mission, and our dedicated colleagues who work there.

The Smithsonian's value to American society flows from its long-standing commitment to objective research, exceptional scholarship and inquiry, and its remarkable and unique collections. From this approach, the Smithsonian continues to foster informed engagement with our nation's past, present and future by creating environments where visitors from around the world can explore different concepts in history and science, experience artistic excellence, and encounter remarkable artifacts. This ensures that all citizens can discover their connection to our shared heritage, and find meaning in our country's continuing stories as we approach the nation's semiquincentennial.

The Smithsonian is also a leader in multiple fields, from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) (which created the world’s first satellite-tracking network), to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (which conducts leading research on animal behavior and reproduction), to its art, science, and history museums, which are important partners to museums across the country on research, scholarship, exhibition development, collection loans, and innovative visitor experiences.

The Association of Art Museum Directors commends our colleagues across Smithsonian's extensive network of 21 museums, 14 research and educational facilities, and the National Zoo—thousands of committed professionals who create transformative experiences in culture, science, and history while upholding the highest standards of scholarly integrity and providing exceptional public service to millions of visitors annually.

About AAMD
The Association of Art Museum Directors advances the profession by cultivating leadership capabilities of directors, advocating for the field, and fostering excellence in art museums. An agile, issues-driven organization, AAMD has three desired outcomes: engagement, leadership, and shared learning. Further information about AAMD’s professional practice guidelines and position papers is available at www.aamd.org.