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Quadrangle development is planned to include exhibition galleries and supporting museum facilities for proper display of unique collections of the Museum of African Art, as well as for an expansion of collections of Near and Far Eastern art to be known as the Sackler Gallery.  In addition, quarters are planned for the National and Resident Associate Programs, the Visitor Information and Reception Center, the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, and expanded public education facilities, as well as a much needed International Center for special exhibitions and symposia.  The joining of all these activities and programs in one area will enable the Institution to apply, in a coordinated fashion, its major resources to benefit millions of visitors who travel to Washington each year.  It will provide, as well, an opportunity for foreign nations to present their most important cultural accomplishments to this audience.

The Quadrangle site will be occupied above ground by two small entrance pavilions bordering Independence Avenue which will serve as introductory galleries and form an enclosure for an eclectic landscape combination particularly evocative of 19th century landscape design appropriate to the Smithsonian Institution Building and the Arts and Industries Building.  The two pavilions will allow access to three building levels below grade providing exhibition galleries, libraries, classrooms, and space for the care and study of collections.  The galleries will permit the Institution to present a variety of exhibitions drawn from the resources of its own museums, other United Stated collections, or borrowed from abroad.  The International Center will enable the Institution to organize international symposia and exhibitions and will enhance the public's ability to interpret distant cultures of extraordinary richness and importance.

The design for development of the Quadrangle was originally conceived by the internationally known Japanese architect, Junzo Yoshimura.  Since then, the Boston firm of Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbott has developed final site and building plans which will be presented for final approval to the National Capital Planning Commission on October 7, 1982 and the Commission of Fine Arts on September 14, 1982.  All requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act have been successfully completed.

Throughout its history, beginning with the acceptance by the United States Government of the bequest of a private individual, the Institution has employed a blend of public and private funding in fulfilling the purposes for which it was established--the increase and diffusion of knowledge.  This special partnership of federal appropriations and nonfederal funding sources I vividly illustrated in the financing plan for the Quadrangle.  Of the total project cost of $75,000,000, it is planned that one-half will be provided from federal appropriations and one-half from nonappropriated sources.