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120

CULTURAL CONCERNS

Mr. Blitzer led the discussions related to the cultural concerns of the Institution. During the meetings several observations were made which should be useful in clarifying, to internal or external audiences, current deficiencies or forthcoming developments and requirements in the cultural arena. Some common concerns which were expressed involve:

1. Obtaining additional physical facilities.

2. Exploring ways of getting the published results of research, exhibitions, and other activities disseminated to as wide an audience as possible.

3. Correcting collection cataloguing, inventorying, and management techniques where deficiencies exist.

4. Strengthening the processes for transfer and loan of objects.

5. Precipitating more interbureau cooperation, not simply among history and art museums, but across the science, art, and history operations.

6. Obtaining enough funding support to allow the individual bureaus to carry through with their own priorities, whether they be associated with research, exhibits, catalogues, or other programs.

7. Establishing some informal planning group to explore ways of precipitating a unified Institutional approach to program identification, presentation, and evaluation.

It is difficult to define the exact configuration of further Smithsonian art, culture, and history activities that may exist at the end of the century.  Whatever the result, it will continue to be erected upon the Institution's basic interests in quality scholarship, and the desire to interpret and present to the public, in the best fashion possible, the ideas, customs, skills, and art of various civilizations.