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can be traced in the work of some of this century's greatest artists. Consequently, other major museums around the country have moved decisively to fill similar gaps in their own collections.  For its own part, unless the Smithsonian acts to seize the unique opportunity afforded by the interest of the Museum of African Art in joining the Institution, we will likely lose our one best chance to involve ourselves in any major way in this important area of art scholarship and education.

This is not to suggest, however, that the simple acquisition of the Museum of African Art's collection is what we recommend.  Independent of the consideration that these collections could not find an appropriate home within the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, National Collection of Fine Arts, Hirshhorn Museum or any other existing bureau, is the fact that the Museum of African Art as an institution in its own right is highly regarded in the museum profession and recognized as one of the more significant and relevant cultural resources in the city of Washington.  It is the Museum as a living and dynamic organization which we propose be acquired.

In recommending the course of action detailed herein, the committee is of the belief that the success of the Museum of African Art and its promise for further important contributions to the understanding of the art of the African Continent has been based