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seek out exhibit themes that undermine popular misconceptions and stereotypes, through the display of carefully selected materials;

highlight areas of importance typically unnoticed or ignored; and

present more valid interpretations of the specific contributions of a particular racial or ethnic group.

America's strong cultural heritage has recently been at the forefront of new initiatives at three museums. The National Museum of American Art has made an effort to include works by women and minority group members in its exhibitions and installations. The National Museum of American History is carrying out a long-range program to reinstall its permanent exhibitions, giving top priority to the design of exhibits that will bring in new audiences, especially minorities; several exhibits in this review period supported the Museum's goal. And, at the National Museum of Natural History, work is continuing on a series of experimental exhibit cases in the Native American exhibit halls that are designed to update traditional displays and test modern concepts in museum presentations.

More than ever before, these organizations are investing considerable energy and resources to plan and design more universally appealing exhibitions and installations. Much of the complex logistics at the heart of these projects is conducted "behind the scenes" and subject to the shifting dynamics of the review and approval process. Typically, the lead time needed to implement such large-scale projects can range from one to three years. The full impact of these efforts, therefore, will not be apparent for quite some time. As such, it is difficult to rate these projects during their early stages of development.

The Examination and Improvement of Public Programs

This area of emphasis calls for the design of a greater variety of public programs that will attract more diversified audiences and encourage participation by African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Hispanics.

The Secretary has pointed out the pressing need for all areas of the Institution to rethink and redirect its existing forms of popular education and outreach in a more comprehensively inclusive manner. In embracing this broader, culturally sensitive view, the Smithsonian is also driven to reconsider fundamentally the purpose and potential scope of many of the museum activities through which it has traditionally addressed a world audience.

Several organizations that present public programs and educational activities have responded to this objective by continuing to:

○ attract more culturally diversified audiences;

○ develop new and more stimulating areas of opportunity and participation; and

○ implement programs with more universal and immediate appeal.