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# Our Organization

The Smithsonian Institution was established by an act of Congress in 1846 as an independent federal trust instrumentality, a unique public-private partnership that has proven its value as a cultural and scientific resource for more than 170 years. The federal commitment provides the foundation for all we do, and is especially helpful in attracting private support. We leverage our federal funding to enrich the lives of the American people and advance our mission for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

Congress vested responsibility for the administration of the Smithsonian in a Board of Regents, consisting of the Chief Justice of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, three members of the United States Senate, three members of the United States House of Representatives, and nine citizens. The Board of Regents meets at least four times each year and typically convenes in the Regents Room. 

The head of the Smithsonian is the Secretary, who is appointed by the Board of Regents. The Secretary oversees 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers, and several education units and centers. Two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—are in development.

Smithsonian Organization Chart (PDF)

Board of Regents

The Secretary

### The Secretary and Senior Leadership

                              - Office of the Secretary
                              - Secretary's Senior Leadership Team
                              - Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer  	•  Head of Diversity  	  •  Access Smithsonian  	•  Head of Digital Transformation  	  •  Smithsonian Organization and Audience Research
                              - Director, Equal Employment and Supplier Diversity
                              - Office of Global Affairs

### Assistant Secretary for Advancement

Assistant Secretary for Advancement — Unit Advancement Directors & Chief Advancement Officers
                              - Advancement Services
                              - Individual Giving
                              - Institutional Relations
                              - Smithsonian Campaign

### Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer

Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs and Chief Marketing Officer
                              - Government Relations
                              - Public Affairs
                              - Special Events and Protocol
                              - Visitor Services

### Under Secretary for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer

Under Secretary for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
                              - Contracting and Personal Property Management
                              - Facilities Management and Reliability
                              - Finance & Accounting
                              - Human Resources
                              - Information Technology
                              - Investments
                              - Planning, Design, and Construction
                              - Planning, Management and Budget
                              - Protection Services
                              - Safety, Health, and Environmental Management
                              - Sponsored Projects

### Under Secretary for Education

Under Secretary for Education
                              - Fellowships and Internships
                              - Smithsonian Affiliations
                              - Smithsonian Associates
                              - Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES)
                              - Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology
                              - Smithsonian Science Education Center

### Under Secretary for Museums and Culture

Under Secretary for Museums and Culture
                              - Anacostia Community Museum
                              - Archives of American Art
                              - Arts and Industries Building
                              - Asian Pacific American Center
                              - Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
                              - Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
                              - Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
                              - National Museum of African American History and Culture
                              - National Museum of African Art
                              - National Museum of American History
                              - National Museum of the American Indian
                              - National Museum of the American Latino
                              - National Museum of Asian Art
                              - National Portrait Gallery
                              - National Postal Museum
                              - Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery
                              - Smithsonian American Women's History Museum
                              - Smithsonian Exhibits
                              - National Collections Program

### Under Secretary for Science and Research

Under Secretary for Science and Research
                              - Museum Conservation Institute
                              - National Air and Space Museum
                              - National Museum of Natural History
                              - National Zoo and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
                              - Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
                              - Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
                              - Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
                              - Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

### President Smithsonian Enterprises

President Smithsonian Enterprises
                              - Smithsonian Enterprises Leadership
                              - Smithsonian.com

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Annual Reports
Your Smithsonian at work.

       Smithsonian 2027  Strategic Plan
Greater Reach, Greater Relevance, Profound Impact

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