Smithsonian’s museums ‘drastically underfunded’

WASHINGTON – The Smithsonian Institution’s eight art museums are “drastically underfunded” and have “seldom lived up to their names,” according to an external review released Wednesday.\nThe voluntary review by a panel of seven prominent museum directors gives recommendations to strengthen each museum and is similar to an external examination of the Smithsonian’s science programs in 2003. The review was adopted by the Smithsonian Board of Regents in January, though it was not released until Wednesday.\n“Art museums made a late entry into the Smithsonian and receive a proportionally small share of the Smithsonian’s federal funding compared to history and science,” the committee wrote.\nThe Smithsonian receives nearly $640 million annually from the federal government – about 70 percent of its budget – but spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas was unable to say how much is directed toward the art museums. The report did not say how much funding is needed but noted the museums require more money for staffing, facilities, storage and acquisition of new artwork.\nThe report recommends reorganizing some administrative, research and curatorial functions among the museums to eliminate duplicated efforts and promote collaboration. It also urges the Smithsonian to reinvest in art education at a time when schools are struggling to provide such opportunities.\nNed Rifkin, the Smithsonian’s under secretary for art, initiated the review in 2005.\n“Some of our collections are indeed world class and others need improvement,” said Rifkin, a former director of the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum, which features contemporary art.\nRifkin said he hoped museum staff would view the report as “constructive criticism, rather than condemning in any way.”\nMuseum facilities drew the committee’s attention, including water leaks at the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, which house Asian and Islamic art. But Rifkin said the leaks have already been repaired.\n“It’s really symptomatic of the age of some of our buildings, rather than our vigilance,” Rifkin said.\nThe report recommended that the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum be reorganized under a single director at the newly renovated building they share in downtown Washington. It also said the National Museum of African Art suffers from “dangerously low” morale among staff and trustees and a “long-standing lack of visionary leadership.”\nThe committee also questioned future plans for the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York. It cited the museum’s low attendance compared to other museums in New York, as well as its shortage of exhibition space.\nA lack of funding to acquire new pieces of art is limiting the development of many Smithsonian art collections, the report said.\nThe committee noted the high cost of maintaining and presenting art but said Congress has been generous with funding for the separately run National Gallery of Art.\nThe report was released as Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, proposed legislation Wednesday that could jeopardize a $17 million increase in funding for the Smithsonian until the institution makes changes to eliminate “unauthorized and excessive” compensation and expenses for Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small.\nThe review committee included the directors of such museums as New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.