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Recognizing the compelling need for a national museum devoted exclusively to the art and culture of Africa, the Congress of the United States in 1978 provided the means for the Smithsonian Institution to receive permanent custody of the Museum of African Art. Established some fifteen years ago, this young museum has achieved international stature and is currently housed in a group of quaint, but inadequate, converted private residences on Capitol Hill. The legislative history of P.L. 95-414 suggested that new, more suitable quarters be created. The Smithsonian proposes to accomplish this in the Quadrangle, in proximity to the Institution's other major museums.

The Museum of African Art's collection of sculpture, utilitarian objects, musical instruments, textiles, and jewelry is regarded as one of the most important in the United States. It is expected that gifts and bequests of artifacts of quality and significance will be a direct result of acquiring a new building on the Mall. Whereas the Museum has, in the past, concentrated its collecting and programs on the peoples of central and western Africa, it will be possible in the Quadrangle to increase the number of exhibitions dealing with other areas of the great continent, notably northern and eastern Africa, including Egypt. The Museum's education program is extensive and vigorous, including activities led by African and American staff members for elementary and secondary school children, continuing education groups, and undergraduate and graduate courses in cooperation with Washington-area universities. The Museum's staff also conducts research concerning the provenance, function and authenticity of the objects in the collection.

The Museum of Africa Art must, in fact, move from its present quarters in order to protect its collections more securely and make them more accessible to both the public and visiting scholars, to expand its exhibition area, and to provide safe and adequate space for staff and persons attending educational programs.

To enhance the Quadrangle setting, the Smithsonian design proposal creates two above-ground pavilions in the area south of the Castle. Dedicated in proportion and sensitive in style, these pavilions will provide appropriate interpretive architecture for the expanded programs of Eastern and African art. Another building element, located entirely beneath the Quadrangle, would provide parking for approximately 350 cars, to be available for staff and public; space for a rare book library; quarters for the National and Resident Associate Programs; a central educational facility creating a lively center of participatory activity; exhibition space for the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service; and additional quarters for the two museums. The entire above-ground area would then be landscaped attractively to create, within the Quadrangle, a quiet enclave for the public.

In fiscal year 1979, about $165,000 of nonappropriated funds trust funds were used to develop preliminary design concepts, a program of space requirements, and various engineering and construction data on existing conditions of the subsurface and adjacent foundations. In fiscal year 1980, the Board of Regents provided another $547,000 of nonappropriated trust funds for continued program and design planning. The firm of Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson, and Abbott was selected in February 1980 to continue detailed planning, assisted by Mr. Junzo Yoshimura, the original architect, as design consultant.