Smithsonian Global

10/12/2024

As a part of our larger exchange program, 10 of our Brazilian colleagues are here in DC for a week of discussions, learning, and collaboration! We hope they will return to Brazil energized and ready to lead more dialogue and action.

While here, Envoys will explore Smithsonian museums and collections, taking deep dives into museum practices—curation, exhibition design, fundraising, community engagement, and more.

05/12/2024

Celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations between U.S. and Brazil, in collaboration with the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, Embaixada EUA Brasil / US Embassy Brazil, Consulado Geral EUA / US Consulate - Rio , Smithsonian Global & Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture are facilitating , a virtual exchange program that fosters ethical and inclusive museum practices centered on community engagement and elevating the voices, history, and culture of communities of African descent.

Together with cultural heritage practitioners from across Brazil, we’re exploring how museums and cultural institutions in both countries can champion inclusive, community-centered practices. 🇺🇸🤝🇧🇷

Key highlights of the program include:

🌎 Sharing best practices for incorporating the history and culture of African-descendant communities into national narratives

🌎 Learning from Brazil's rich cultural landscape and discussing the future of Afro-Brazilian institutions

🌎 Building stronger, more inclusive networks between and amongst U.S. and Brazilian cultural leaders and encouraging cross-cultural exchange, dialogue, and professional development

🌎 Building ties to amplify and enrich when the exhibition comes to Brazil in 2025

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue the journey of learning, discovery, and collaboration!

14/10/2024

On this , we are sharing some photos from last Friday’s visit to Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian where our cohort had the opportunity to explore ways the museum celebrates and collaborates with communities for exhibitions, programs, collections care, and more.

Following a behind-the-scenes tour, our cohort and colleagues reflected on their experiences and what this visit meant to them both personally and professionally.


National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian Folklife

08/10/2024

We have something special to share for !

Our global cohort members from are here – that's why we’re smiling ear to ear!

For the next two weeks, together with colleagues from National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian Folklife, the Cultural Heritage Center at U.S. Dept. of State, and others, our cohort will be exploring themes of and .

24/09/2024

🌍✨ Dive into the world of museums with us! ✨🌍

Our two-week international program with was action packed. Through guided tours, conversations, and observations, together we are fostering mutual understanding, inspiring curiosity, sparking creativity and driving impact.

Swipe through to see snapshots of our participants in action over the past week.

Shoutout to Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Gardens, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Access Smithsonian, and the Office of Visitor Services and Volunteer Management

13/09/2024

We're thrilled to kick off our third Knowledge Tour with ! For the next two weeks, Smithsonian Global is hosting eleven emerging cultural heritage professionals, who will have the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues from across the Institution on a variety of museum topics ✨🏛️. From behind-the-scenes looks at curatorial work to hands-on learning about collections management, we hope these two weeks inspire curiosity and .

We’re looking forward to learning with colleagues from Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Gardens, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Access Smithsonian, and the Office of Visitor Services and Volunteer Management

24/08/2024

How do everyday objects help preserve a nation’s shared heritage?

Small circulating objects, such as coins, banknotes, and stamps, reflect a community through the meaningful sites and symbols they depict.

A new virtual exhibition, “Preservation Through Circulation: Ukraine’s Enduring Statehood and Heritage” explores everyday objects that affirm Ukrainian cultural identity. A collaboration between our National Museum of American History and Smithsonian National Postal Museum and the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, the exhibition explores the great power of these small objects in affirming and celebrating Ukraine’s national identity.

Learn more and explore the exhibition, in English and in Ukrainian:

Office of Global Affairs

05/06/2024

Happy World Environment Day!

The Smithsonian partners with colleagues around the globe to advance our collective efforts to save our planet's most vulnerable species—and the environments they call home—through the power of exchange.

In 2023, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia welcomed a delegation of wildlife and conservation experts from Kenya, Tunisia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) visit. The group exchanged best practices for supporting vulnerable animal populations from both local and global perspectives.


World Learning

20/05/2024

From April 29 – May 10, Smithsonian Global welcomed 8 cultural heritage professionals from to participate in a cultural exchange focused on and . 🏛️ The group met with educators from across the Institution to share common experiences and discuss effective practices in .

Learning with and from our colleagues from around the world through programs like this open doors to building stronger, more inclusive and creative solutions for the complex issues facing museums and cultural professionals today! 🌍

Photo 1 –2: The cohort hears from educators at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden about creative new ways they are engaging middle school students to the museum and the collection.
Photo 3: DCT participant spends time at National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution with a focus on observing manual tactiles and digital interactives.
Photo 4: Discussions with the National Portrait Gallery USA and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum on how to effectively engage youth learners with virtual programs.
Photo 5: Group photo after exploring Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery and meeting with colleagues to discuss effective approaches to
Photo 6: Colleagues from the National Collections Program welcome the cohort to the Collections Share Fair and highlight some of the work happening across the institution.
Photo 7: Two members look at sample pre-arrival guides museums develop to be more inclusive and accessible to a wider variety of audiences and learning styles.
Photo 8: A welcome refreshments reception was held during the cohort’s first week where they met with Smithsonian colleagues outside the classroom.
Photo 9: Cohort member looks at the Office for the Under Secretary for Education educational activity guide produced in collaboration with USA TODAY.

01/05/2024

Together with the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi we’re building capacity through knowledge sharing and exchange.

🌍 For the next two weeks, Smithsonian Global is hosting 8 cultural heritage professionals from Abu Dhabi for a cultural exchange focused on and .

📚 Through guided tours, conversations, and observations, together we are fostering mutual understanding, inspiring curiosity, sparking creativity and driving impact.

We’re looking forward to learning with colleagues from:
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art,
National Museum of American History,
Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery,
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution,
Smithsonian National Postal Museum,
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and
National Portrait Gallery (United States)

09/04/2024

📣DEADLINE EXTENDED to 15 APRIL! Museum colleagues and community-based cultural heritage practitioners from , , , , , and :

We are accepting Cultural Heritage Forward applications through 15 April. Help strengthen our collective global efforts to make more and .

Don’t miss this chance to work with Smithsonian Global, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and the Cultural Heritage Center at U.S. Dept. of State to develop new modes of inclusive museum practice and develop a global network.

24 Individuals. 6 countries. 1 global program.

Learn more, including how to apply, here: https://s.si.edu/3THtHYW

03/04/2024

📣CLOSING SOON! Applications for Cultural Heritage Forward welcome through 10 April. Apply today to help strengthen our collective global efforts to make more and .

Museum colleagues and community-based cultural heritage practitioners from , , , , , and :

Don’t miss the chance to work with and the Cultural Heritage Center at U.S. Dept. of State to develop new modes of inclusive museum practice and develop a global network.

24 Individuals. 6 countries. 1 global program. More information, including how to apply, here: https://s.si.edu/3THtHYW

14/03/2024

📢 INFO SESSIONS NEXT WEEK! Museum colleagues and community-based cultural heritage practitioners from , , , , , and :

Join staff from , , , , and the Cultural Heritage Center at the U.S. Department of State to learn more about Cultural Heritage Forward, a new exchange program aimed at developing new modes of inclusive museum practice.

24 Individuals. 6 countries. 1 global program. Apply today to help strengthen our collective global efforts to make more and .

Applications close 10 April. Find more info, including how to apply, here: https://s.si.edu/3V3rU1e

06/03/2024

24 individuals. 6 countries. 1 global program.

📣 Calling museum and community-based cultural heritage practitioners from , , , , , and :

Smithsonian Global, with support from and in coordination with the Cultural Heritage Center at the U.S. Department of State, invites global colleagues for Cultural Heritage Forward, a new exchange program aimed at developing new modes of inclusive museum practice. Apply now through 10 April! Learn how here: https://s.si.edu/3V3rU1e

Explore with National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, and others on themes of shared stewardship, ethical returns, equitable storytelling and more. Help strengthen our collective global efforts to make museums more accessible and inclusive.

12/02/2024

Did you know? The is the only US National Historic Landmark outside the country. The building was gifted to the US in 1821 as a symbol of friendship; today it serves as a museum, library, and outreach center. The Smithsonian recently hosted the Legation's leadership in Washington, DC as a part of a two-year capacity exchange program supported by . Learning with and from our colleagues from around the world allows us to explore and develop creative solutions for the complex issues facing museums and cultural professionals today.

Photos 1-9: Snapshots from meetings, conversations, and tours on exhibition design, collections care, facilities management, and internship & fellowship programs with colleagues at , , , , , and .

Photo 10: Visit to with the model of the Legation and an exhibition spotlighting the historic Morocco-US relationship.