Key Takeaways
- The Smithsonian Institution has been requested to provide documentation, including current exhibition descriptions, draft plans for upcoming shows, and internal guidelines used in exhibition development.
- The Institution has failed to provide the requested materials, with only a partial production of documents received on September 18, 2025.
- The requested materials are essential for ensuring the Smithsonian Institution’s compliance with federal law, professional standards, and its own directives.
- The Institution’s failure to provide the requested materials has raised concerns about its ability to meet the high standards expected of it, particularly in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
- The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has recommended that the Smithsonian Institution provide a full and organized response to the requested materials by December 30, 2025.
Introduction to the Correspondence
The letter, addressed to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Lonnie G. Bunch III, is a follow-up to a previous request for documentation related to the Institution’s exhibitions and materials. The request was made by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as part of a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions. The letter expresses concern that the Institution has failed to provide the requested materials, despite an extension of the deadline, and emphasizes the importance of receiving the documents in a timely manner.
The Requested Materials
The requested materials include current wall texts and didactics, exhibition proposals and budgets, object checklists for upcoming programming, internal governance manuals, and chain-of-command records for content approval. These materials are essential for ensuring the Institution’s compliance with federal law, professional standards, and its own directives. The letter notes that the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) all maintain that having this information readily available is best professional practice.
The Importance of Transparency and Accountability
The letter emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the Institution’s operations, particularly in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the United States. The authors of the letter express concern that the Institution’s failure to provide the requested materials may indicate a lack of confidence in its own stewardship of significant national collections. The letter notes that the Institution’s Charter, codified at 20 U.S.C. § 46, requires that "a fair and accurate record" be made of all the Institution’s "proceedings."
The Role of the Office of Management and Budget
The letter explains that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been designated by the President to ensure that the Smithsonian Institution meets the high standards expected of it. The OMB has been monitoring the Institution’s compliance with the request and has found that the Institution has failed to provide the requested materials. The letter notes that the OMB has recommended that the Institution provide a full and organized response to the requested materials by December 30, 2025.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
The letter emphasizes that the Institution’s failure to provide the requested materials may have consequences for its funding. The authors of the letter note that funds apportioned for the Smithsonian Institution are only available for use in a manner consistent with Executive Order 14253, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," and the fulfillment of the requests set forth in the August 12, 2025 letter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the letter emphasizes the importance of the Smithsonian Institution’s compliance with the requested materials and the need for transparency and accountability in its operations. The authors of the letter express their confidence that the Institution will take the necessary steps to provide the requested materials and ensure that its operations are consistent with the high standards expected of it. The letter ends with a call for the Institution to provide a full and organized response to the requested materials by December 30, 2025, and to establish a chain of custody protocol to track the materials uploaded to the Dropbox.
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