Evening star., 1939-01-22
Competition to Select Architect
For Art Museum Launched
Site on MoI'Neot Mellon Gallery Chosen
For Sc, ,000, 900 Smithsonian Structure

Boston architect and member Of the
Commission of Fine Arts.
To Foster Public Exhibitions.
Joseph Hudnut, dean Of the fac
ulty of design of Harvard Univer-
Fsity, will act as professional ad-
wiser. Thomas Dabney Mabry.. ex-
ecutiye director of the Museum of
Modern Art, New York City, will
be technical adviser, assisting Mr.
Hudnut in writing the program.
AS seen by the commission, the
Importance of the new museum will
arise from "potentialities of unique
service in the cause of American art,
that are inherent in its program of
activities rather than from the value
Of the present Smithsonian collec-
ttions. important though they are"
In announcing the competition,
the commission pointed to the act
of Congress last May which outlined
that the purpose of the new Smith
sonian gallery to be not only for
properly housing and displaying the
national collections of fine arts,
comprising paintings. sculptures,
bronzes, glass, porcelain, tapestry,
furniture, jewelry, and other types
of art; to display portraits of emf
nent American men and women, and
to exhibit the works of artists de-
serving Of recognition, but it shall
also be to foster by public exhibitions
from time to time in Washington
and other parts of the United States
a growing appreciation of art, both
Of past and contemporary time"
Private Gifts Authorized.
Further outlining policies of the
gallery, the commission said it was
| conceived as a means by which
the national will for the encourage
ment Of the visual arts may, in col
laboration with the section of fine
arts in the Treasury and the trus-
tees of the Mellon bequest, find effec-
tive expression. A new building is
urgently needed, therefore, not only
for more adequate display of the
present collections, but also to pro-
vide for an expanding program of
services to the country at large"
In announcing plans for the COM
petition for an architect last night,
Chairman Delano pointed to the law
which authorized regents of the
Smithsonian Institution Ito solicit
and receive funds from private
sources, to acquire, by purchase or
otherwise, and sell contemporary
works Of art or copies thereof, to
employ artists. and other personnel,
award scholarships, conduct exhibi-
tions, and generally to do such
things and have such other powers
as will effectuate the purpose"
Reconstructed as an active, in
fluencing agency" said Mr.. Delano,
lit will use its present collection and
encourage further gifts in an effort
to stimulate the creation of works
of art of distinction and to elevate
and sustain the public appreciation
of these works Throughout the coun-
try. It will, it is hoped, be provided
with an income adequate to pur-
chase annually many works of art
with which it will increase its per-
manent collection and from which
it will organize continually chang
ing exhibitions"
Publications Planned.
In addition to circulating large
exhibitions or art objects to mu-
seums, schools and community
groups, it is hoped that If funds
are available, the gallery may be
able to bring out publications on
these subjects, both of a popular
and of a scholarly nature. It will
publish guides, color reproductions,
pamphlets and educational hand
books.
IF we get public support we hope
for" announced Mr.. Delano, I'VE
will consider the province of the
gallery to be the cultural life Of the
community, all over the United
1See sMITH9ONAN. Paee R.20