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The Smithsonian Institution Equal Opportunity Report: October 1989

The Smithsonian Institution's third semi-annual Equal Opportunity Report is an important reflection of how vigorously the Institution is pursuing the guiding principles inherent in the Smithsonian's founding doctrine. It summarizes progress and accomplishments in equal opportunity activities of 25 selected organizations throughout the Institution for the period March 26, 1989 - September 23, 1989.

As in the previous report, each of these organizations highlights significant developments in Institution-wide exhibitions and public programs; and the status of key research, curatorial and administrative personnel -- with respect to the Secretary's three critical areas of emphasis:

[[bullet point]] The reinterpretation and production of exhibitions

[[bullet point]] The examination and improvement of public programs

[[bullet point]] Affirmative action initiatives.

Although subsequent semi-annual reports will continue to reflect these areas of emphasis, actual report data will be presented along functional lines at the level of the Assistant Secretaries. Accordingly, each functional area will report on the progress and accomplishments in terms of key positions and specific ethnic minority group categories. The new format provides a more comprehensive, pan-Institutional perspective on the findings and results of significant equal opportunity activities, and offers easier access to supporting data.

As the Smithsonian's key personnel respond to the needs and objectives imposed by these critical areas of concern, they exert considerable influence on the Institution's management, research priorities, and choice of exhibitions and public programs. Strictly speaking, the very course the Smithsonian will follow for the 1990s and beyond is theirs to set.

The Reinterpretation and Production of Exhibitions

This area of emphasis calls for the reevaluation of existing exhibitions and production of new exhibitions that present more valid interpretations of the contributions of women, African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Hispanics.

The Smithsonian is keenly aware that our society is still marred by striking inequalities in opportunity, and by the persistence of racial, ethnic, and gender stereotypes that museums can play an important part in dispelling. Toward that end, in everything the Institution exhibits, publishes, or otherwise disseminates, it must strive for sensitivity to the conditions, needs, and aspirations of the multiple and growing audiences it has an obligation to reach.

In response to this objective, museums and research units have drawn on their extensive resources to highlight in a more meaningful way the culturally diverse offerings of these representative groups. In particular, Smithsonian research and curatorial staff are continuing to: