____________________________

1 Participated in the morning site visits and lunch program only

2 Participated in the lunch program and afternoon business meeting only

3 Participated in the afternoon business meeting only

 MINUTES OF THE APRIL 11, 2022, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents (“Board”) of the Smithsonian Institution (“Smithsonian”) 

was held on Monday, April 11, 2022. The Board conducted visits to six potential sites for the two new 

Smithsonian museums, and an afternoon business meeting at the National Museum of the American 

Indian in Washington, D.C. Regents present were: 

The Chief Justice3

Senator Patrick J. Leahy

Representative Doris Matsui 

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett 

Steve Case, Chair

John Fahey

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.

Michael Govan

Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey, Vice Chair

Michael Lynton

Denise O’Leary

John McCarter, Regent Emeritus1

Mitchell Schear, Facilities Committee Member1

Vice President Kamala D. Harris, Senator John Boozman, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, 

Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, Representative Adrian Smith, and Mr. Franklin D. Raines did not

attend the meeting. 

Smithsonian and Regent staff present by invitation of the Board were: 

Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary

Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

Victor Castillo, Office of Representative RoybalAllard

Monique Chism, Under Secretary for Education3

Ronald Cortez, Under Secretary for 

Administration

Kate Forester, Deputy Chief of Staff to the 

Regents

Kevin Gover, Under Secretary for Museums and 

Culture

Luanne Greene, President of Ayers Saint Gross1

Cathy Helm, Inspector General2

Judith Leonard, General Counsel

2

 

Jeremy Marcus, Office of Representative Matsui

Kevin McDonald, Office of Senator Leahy

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice

Meroë Park, Deputy Secretary and Chief 

Operating Officer

Derek Ross, Acting Director of the Office 

Planning, Design, and Construction1

Vernon L. Simms, Director of the Office of 

Government Relations2

Robert J. Spiller, Assistant Secretary for 

Advancement3 

Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the 

Regents
2

MORNING SESSION

Welcome and 

Introduction of New 

Museums Site Visits

Visits to Potential Sites 

for New Museums

Status of the New 

Museums Site

Designation Process

SMITHSONIAN FACILITIES: VISITS TO POTENTIAL SITES FOR NEW 

MUSEUMS

At the April 11, 2022, meeting of the Board of Regents, the Regents considered 

the future locations of the two new Smithsonian museums: National Museum 

of the American Latino and Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

The enabling legislation directs the Board of Regents to select sites for the two 

new museums not later than two years after enactment of the bill – December 

2022. It is the intent of Congress that both museums be located on or near the 

National Mall. The list of sites to be considered includes locations from 

stakeholders and experts, the enabling legislation, and the Presidential and 

Congressional Commission reports for the two museums. Potential locations 

include unbuilt sites, sites with historic buildings, and sites with buildings that 

could be demolished.

The morning program began with a tour of some of the potential sites under 

consideration. Although no sites have been eliminated, the visit included sites 

with high potential. The Regents visited several sites on or near the Mall, 

including: the Arts and Industries Building; the “Northwest US Capitol Site” (the 

area bounded by Constitution Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW); the 

Orville Wright Building; the Jamie L. Whitten Building; the “South Monument 

Site” (the area bounded by Independence Avenue and 14th Street, SW); and 

the “Tidal Basin Site” (bounded by Independence Avenue and Raoul 

Wallenberg Place, SW).

Smithsonian staff and the architectural engineering firm Ayers Saint Gross and 

Moya Design Partners, as a subconsultant, will complete a detailed analysis of 

each site for the Regents’ consideration. The sites will be evaluated on 

location, cost factors, existing site condition, transportation and access, 

environmental conditions, and acquisition potential. The evaluation process 

will include a series of meetings with the National Capital Planning Commission 

and the Commission of Fine Arts and representatives of transportation and

utility agencies, in addition to ongoing informal discussions with other 

interested organizations and citizens. The Board of Trustees of the National 

Museum of the American Latino and the Advisory Council of the Smithsonian 

American Women’s History Museum will also review the site evaluations and 

prepare recommendations for the Board’s consideration. 
3 

Luncheon Program: The

Use of Space in TwentyFirst Century Museums

Call to Order of the 

Afternoon Business 

Session

Report of the 

Chair of the Board

Executive Committee 

Approvals

LUNCHEON PROGRAM: THE USE OF SPACE IN TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY 

MUSEUMS

Regents and Smithsonian staff convened at the National Museum of the 

American Indian for a luncheon program about the physical structure and role 

of museums in the 21st century, as it relates to the Smithsonian’s creation of

two new museums. During lunch, the Secretary and Regent Michael Govan, CEO 

and Wallis Annenberg Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, led a 

conversation based on their experiences building and opening museums. The 

Regents also had an opportunity to share their impressions of the potential 

sites and discuss what criteria should be most important in the final stages of 

the site selection process. 

AFTERNOON SESSION 

REGENTS’ BUSINESS SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at 1:05 p.m. 

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The meeting of the Board of Regents began with the Report of the Chair of the 

Board and Executive Committee. Chair Steve Case welcomed the Regents back 

to the first in-person meeting at the Smithsonian after two years of virtual 

meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr. Case then briefed the Board on four actions taken by the Executive

Committee on behalf of the Board, pursuant to Board Bylaw 3.01, between the

January and April meetings. The Executive Committee approved the

Smithsonian Institution’s budget request for appropriated funds for fiscal year

2023 for submission to Congress. Mr. Case noted that the Executive

Committee’s approval was requested on behalf of the Board to accommodate 

the President’s fiscal year 2023 budget submission to Congress, which was 

scheduled to be delivered mid-March 2022, and therefore required approval

prior to the April 11, 2022, Board meeting. The Executive Committee also 

approved three actions related to the new museums: the appointment of 

Penny Pritzker as Chair of the Smithsonian American Women’s History 

Museum Advisory Council, the appointment of Henry R. Muñoz III as Chair of 

the National Museum of the American Latino’s Board of Trustees, and the 

proposed amendments and underlying bylaws of the National Museum of the

American Latino’s Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee approved the 

advisory board motions so the actions could take effect immediately. 
4

Consent Agenda

Questions on Written 

Committee Reports

Written Report of the 

Facilities Committee

Written Report of the 

Investment Committee

Written Report of the 

Smithsonian National 

Board

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda (“Agenda”) was presented for the Board’s approval. 

Action items listed on the April 11, 2022, Agenda included: the approval of 

minutes from the January 31, 2022, Board meeting and gifts and naming 

recognition. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to adopt 

the Agenda, constituting the approval of all action items listed therein. 

See attached Actions 2022.04.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

QUESTIONS ON WRITTEN COMMITTEE REPORTS

Next, Mr. Case provided an opportunity for Regent committee chairs and 

Smithsonian staff to answer questions about the written reports distributed in 

advance of the meeting by the Facilities Committee, Investment Committee, 

Smithsonian National Board, and Office of Government Relations.

Written Report of the Facilities Committee

The Facilities Committee held a meeting on March 2, 2022. During the meeting, 

the Committee engaged in a strategic discussion on climate change and its impacts 

on Smithsonian facilities and received a detailed update on the new museum site 

evaluation study. The Committee also received informational material on facilities 

resources and major capital projects, including: the rebuilding of the National Air 

and Space Museum, the Integrated Bezos Learning Center, and revitalization of the 

Sculpture Garden at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

Written Report of the Investment Committee

The Investment Committee met on March 23, 2022. During the meeting, the 

Committee reviewed the Endowment’s annual portfolio review including risk 

mitigation strategy and China review, asset allocation and risk review, portfolio

implementation, and operations. The Smithsonian Endowment’s one-year return 

as of December 31, 2021, was 26.2% versus 19.8% for the policy benchmark. 

Against the Cambridge Associates peer universe of endowments and foundations, 

the Smithsonian ranks in the top decile for all periods, including trailing one, three, 

five and ten-year periods.

Written Report of the Smithsonian National Board

The Smithsonian National Board (“SNB”) held its winter meeting on February 3 and 

4, 2022. The meeting programs explored the future of science at the Institution

and highlighted current initiatives that are advancing the Institution’s scientific 

reach and impact at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian 

Conservation Biology Institute, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics,
5

Written Report of the 

Office of Government 

Relations

Congressional Hearings 

and Smithsonian 

Related Legislation

White House 

Engagement

Congressional 

Engagement

and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. In addition to the business 

meeting, the winter meeting of the SNB included updates from the Secretary, 

Assistant Secretary for Advancement, and Under Secretary for Science and 

Research. National Board members also received reports from working group and 

committee chairs. 

Written Report of the Office of Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations (“OGR”) reported that on March 15, 2022, the 

President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 that includes annual 

funding for the Smithsonian within the Division for the Department of Interior,

Environment and Related Agencies. The bill provides $1.062 billion for the 

Smithsonian, which includes $852.2 million for Salaries and Expenses and $210 

million for Facilities Capital. The Smithsonian also submitted its fiscal year 2023 

budget request to the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) in September 

2021 and is working with OMB before submission of the budget request to 

Congress.

OGR engaged in two Congressional hearings between the January and April Board 

meetings. The first hearing was related to H.R.30, a bill that would make “Lift Every 

Voice and Sing” the official national hymn of the United States. National Museum 

of African American History and Culture Curator, Dr. Dwandalyn Reece, testified at 

the hearing to provide expertise on the history of the song. The second, was an 

oversight hearing focused on Smithsonian operations. The Office of Government 

Relations also is tracking H.R.3525, Commission to Study the Potential Creation of 

a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act, which was

introduced by Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) on May 25, 2021. The bill 

establishes a Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of 

Asian Pacific American History and Culture.

The Office of Government Relations continues to work closely with the White 

House and the Office of the First Lady’s staff to mount temporary exhibitions at 

the White House commemorating Black History Month in February, Women’s 

History Month in March, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 

May, LGBTQ Pride Month in June, and Hispanic Heritage Month in September. First 

Lady, Dr. Jill Biden has also agreed to be the Honorary Patron of the Renwick 

Gallery 50th Anniversary Celebration which will take place from the spring of 2022 

through 2023.

Despite enhanced telework for most Smithsonian and Congressional staff, regular 

Congressional engagement has continued. Recent Congressional engagement has 

focused on the National Museum of the American Latino, the Smithsonian 

American Women’s History Museum, the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the 

Smithsonian’s Climate Action Plan, and the Institution’s digital and education 

strategic initiatives.
6

Report of the 

Governance and 

Nominating Committee

Strategic Report of the 

Secretary

Museum Opening 

Schedules and 

Smithsonian Telework 

Policy

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee Ambassador Barbara M. 

Barrett gave the Committee’s report and presented one action item for the 

Board’s consideration: amendments to the bylaws of the Smithsonian American 

Women’s History Museum Advisory Council. The proposed amendments include 

an increase in the number of Vice Chairs to no more than four, up from one officer. 

The Smithsonian best practices recommend no more than three Vice Chairs for 

advisory boards and commissions. It was determined that as a new museum the 

substantial amount of work for the founding Council would justify the inclusion of 

an additional officer role. It was determined that up to four Vice Chairs could be 

needed to cover the areas of governance, development and outreach, advisory 

board nominations, and strategy. The proposed amendments are similar to the 

bylaws of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which 

allowed for a structure including multiple Vice Chairs during the museum’s 

establishment. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved the 

proposed amendments to bylaws of the Smithsonian American Women’s History 

Museum Advisory Council.

See attached Actions 2022.04.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

STRATEGIC REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Secretary Bunch updated the Board on the state of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Secretary first updated the Board on the Smithsonian’s ongoing response 

to COVID-19, specifically staffing resources and opening schedules impacting 

Smithsonian operations, and implementation of the Smithsonian’s telework 

policy. In March, the Smithsonian announced a gradual return to the traditional 

schedule, open seven days a week, by May 30. The National Museum of African 

American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History

returned to a schedule of seven days a week on April 4, with the National 

Postal Museum following on April 8. The nine remaining museums will be open 

seven days a week by May 30. The Secretary noted two exceptions to the new 

schedule: the Arts and Industries Building, which is open six days a week for 

the FUTURES exhibition and the National Air and Space Museum (“NASM”), 

which is closed for the rebuilding. Secretary Bunch informed the Board that 

additional NASM programming would be provided at the Castle and the Steven 

F. Udvar-Hazy Center during the NASM Mall building closure. On April 15, the 

Smithsonian lifted the COVID-19 emergency declaration and enhanced 

telework status for staff. The Institution is moving forward with a COVID Way 

Ahead Plan, which is the framework for managing operations as COVID-19 

shifts from a pandemic to an endemic, including the new Telework and Remote 

Work Program.
7

Congressional Oversight 

Hearing

Virtual Smithsonian and 

Strategic Plan 

Implementation

Executive Session: 

Advisory Board 

Appointments and 

Reappointments

Executive Session: 

Regents and Secretary

Next, the Secretary briefed the Board on the Annual Oversight Hearing of the 

Smithsonian Institution, which was held by the United States Senate 

Committee on Rules and Administration on March 30, 2022. Secretary Bunch 

served as the sole witness. The Secretary’s testimony focused on the expanded 

reopening, progress on the establishment of new museums, and challenges for 

Smithsonian facilities. He also highlighted ways the Smithsonian can be a

positive force in our communities and our nation, including promoting a safe 

and respectful workplace and ongoing efforts to restore and protect cultural

heritage. 

To close, the Secretary previewed two larger topics that will be discussed indepth at the Regents’ meeting in June: Virtual Smithsonian and strategic plan 

implementation. The Smithsonian is continuing to prioritize efforts to build a 

digital-first Institution while representing disciplines across the arts, sciences, 

history, culture, technology, and design. Secretary Bunch shared that senior 

staff is hosting pilot brainstorming sessions on the Smithsonian’s digital 

transformation strategy. Preliminary feedback will be shared with the Strategy, 

Innovation, and Technology Committee at its April meeting and will be 

incorporated into the presentation for the Board in June. Secretary Bunch also 

reported on the progress of strategic plan implementation efforts. The 

Strategic Planning Implementation Team (“StratTeam”) is using the 25 

institutional initiatives as a means to support, measure, and track progress on 

the five strategic focus areas (Digital, Nimble, Trusted Source, Science, and 

Education), as well as the overarching goal to shape Our Shared Future inside 

and outside the Smithsonian.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board moved into an executive session at approximately 1:34 p.m. to

discuss business and personnel matters. 

Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee Ambassador Barrett led a 

discussion regarding appointments and reappointments to Smithsonian 

Advisory Boards. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board approved 

the proposed candidates for appointment or reappointment to ten (10)

Smithsonian Institution Advisory Boards.

See attached Actions 2022.04.04 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

The Secretary briefed the Board on the Smithsonian’s new policy of ethical 

returns and possible repatriation of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The Board also 

received updates on personnel matters and key personnel searches currently in 

progress. 
8

Executive Session: New 

Regent Search

Executive Session:

“Gatekeeper” Reports

Adjournment

The Board continued with a Regents-only executive session. Governance and 

Nominating Committee Chair Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett updated the 

Board on succession planning and the search for a new citizen Regent to join 

the Board after Steve Case’s term expires in April 2023. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” REPORTS

The Board concluded the April 11, 2022, meeting with an opportunity to hear

from each of the Smithsonian’s Gatekeepers.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at

approximately 2:14 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Lonnie G. Bunch, III

Secretary
APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

APRIL 11, 2022, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents adopts the Consent Agenda, which constitutes the approval 

of all action items listed therein. [2022.04.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the January 31, 2022,

meeting of the Board of Regents.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of The Coca-Cola Company

and accepts the terms of the sponsorship agreement.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of General Motors Company

to the National Museum of the American Latino and names the General Motors

Learning Lounge from the date the Board of Regents approves the recognition until the

10th anniversary of the opening of the Molina Family Latino Gallery.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Sirius XM Holdings Inc. to

the National Museum of African American History and Culture and names the SiriusXM

Neighborhood Record Store for 10 years from the date the recognition signage is

installed.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of the

Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Advisory Council. [2022.04.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed slate of candidates for appointment 

or reappointment to ten (10) Smithsonian Institution Advisory Boards. [2022.04.03]