Regarding President Trump’s recently issued Executive Order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) released the following statement:

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has served this nation as “an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” following the wishes of its namesake benefactor, James Smithson. It has done so in alignment with the finest American traditions of equal opportunity and access to knowledge.

The Smithsonian has, indeed, been an essential institution for bringing truth and sanity to American history. It has done so by providing spaces where people of all backgrounds can encounter ideas, works of beauty, objects of wonder, and an array of perspectives. The Smithsonian has long recognized that American exceptionalism is best understood by acknowledging and celebrating our nation’s strengths, and by helping Americans confront our history’s complexities. When visitors encounter challenging subjects, they practice the quintessentially American value of thinking for themselves, an approach that is itself deeply patriotic. In doing so, they emerge with a stronger commitment to the ongoing work of building a more perfect union.

The members of the Association of Art Museum Directors commend our colleagues across the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo—thousands of dedicated employees providing exceptional experiences in the arts, sciences, and history for millions of Americans every year.

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.