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50

A list of exhibitions held in the Fine Arts building was distributed, attesting to the activity of this program. Only two of the exhibitions were not organized by the museum staff. Mr. Taylor described plans for the large summer exhibition, [[underline]]National Parks and the American Landscape: An Approach to Nature in the 19th Century[[/underline]], to open on June 23.

The Director reported changes within the organization of the museum. He emphasized that the staff has been working extraordinarily well, and the museum has made very recognizable progress in its internal operation. A new organizational chart was distributed and explained. Robert Tyler Davis, formerly Assistant Director, is now giving his full attention to the collections, especially to the Gellatly Collection, and has taken on the new title, Special Assistant for the Collections. There is to be no assistant director as such. The operation of the museum under the director is divided into two parts: administrative activities, including personnel and budget; and museum operations, including all matters related to the development of exhibitions and galleries. In this latter category Mr. Harry Lowe, Curator of Exhibition and Design, is assuming a greater share of responsibility. The line of communication is determined by the nature of the transaction, and all have direct access to the Director on curatorial and policy matters.

It was pointed out that aside from usual gallery operations, the Renwick Gallery is a curatorial part of the museum, supported by other elements of the museum staff. There is also a separate Office of Research and Professional Training, which has to do with the research program, of visiting scholars and the training in museum practice. There are two offices that concern themselves with traveling exhibitions: the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the International Art Program (IAP).

Referencing to Mr. Ripley's mention of the new agreement with USIA, Mr. Taylor pointed out that this is the first time there has been a detailed plan of procedure agreed to by both parties since the activity was taken over in 1966. In the new agreement USIA will handle all details of the exhibitions pertaining to their showing abroad, while the content is wholly the responsibility of the S.I. (NCFA). The cost of the program this year, including personnel, is less than $200,000, a decrease from the previous figure of $240,000. In the future, with savings on administrative overhead, this will decrease even more. There will be less organizing of original exhibitions expressly for USIA, and greater use of exhibitions from this and other museums.

The Director then commented on the United States exhibition in the current Venice Biennal. Although there was no intention to participate in the preparation of this exhibition or future Biennals, in accordance with