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[[underline]] AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM POSSIBILITIES AND ANACOSTIA MUSEUM PLANNING [[/underline]]

Mr. Adams drew the Regents' attention to the following report, emphasizing that the staff proposes to move cautiously and deliberately through a continuing consultative process toward enhanced African-American programming in general and toward establishing a significant but undefined African-American presence on the Mall. He noted that the establishment of a bureau within the Smithsonian organization would appear to be an essential early step to ensure the Institution has a focal point for discussion which will lead to the further evolution of the concept. At the same time, the Institution needs to continue to develop its network with the African American Museums Association.

This course is decidedly more cautious than those advocated in recent correspondence from either Barry Gaither, President of the African American Museums Association, or John Kinard, Director of the Smithsonian's Anacostia Museum (copies of which were distributed at the meeting). Both urge that a major effort should be under way to expand the size and program of the Anacostia Museum and to plan for an African-American Museum on the Mall. Their proposals differ significantly from the revised Bill introduced by Congressman John Lewis calling for an African American museum under the charter of the Smithsonian but essentially independent of it. There is no question but that the staff of the Institution will want to work with both the Congressman and the Association in trying to make this proposal more practicable.

In discussion, the Regents reinforced the Secretary's commitment to continuing collaboration with the African American Museums Association. They encouraged the Secretary to move forward with the steps outlined, stopping short of making irreversible commitments prior to further consultation with the