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FIU,
Smithsonian Sign Accord Until now, similar affiliations have been limited to university museums or art institutes. The agreement with FIU, however, ranges much farther, providing for scholarly use of Smithsonian material, collaboration on national conferences and panels, priority in securing traveling Smithsonian exhibitions and the possible establishment of a museum studies program at the university. "We're tremendously pleased with this new partnership, and hope that this agreement is the first of many to come," said Lawrence Small, secretary of the Smithsonian who took part in today's official signing ceremony and press conference with FIU President Modesto A. Maidique. "This affiliation is a model for what we hope to accomplish with other institutions. I'm pleased that our partner in this endeavor is one that has such a demonstrated and deep appreciation for the historical material that makes up the heart of our collections." The Smithsonian Institution was established in 1846 with funds bequeathed to the United States by James Smithson. It is composed today of 16 museums and galleries and the National Zoo, as well as numerous research facilities in the United States and abroad. Its collections are so extensive that some museums have only 1 percent of their holdings on display at any given time. "The fact that our students and faculty will have ongoing access to many of the Smithsonian's objects will dramatically enhance our academic program," said Maidique. "We look forward to making such material available to the South Florida community, as well, through exhibits at the Art Museum at FIU, the FIU-Wolfsonian on South Miami Beach and other venues. This is a great day for our university." In addition to the press conference, Small was scheduled to kick off the exhibition, "Contemporary Folk Art: Treasures from the Smithsonian Art Museum" at the Art Museum at FIU with an 8 p.m. lecture. The first exhibition under the new agreement, "Contemporary Folk Art" features paintings and sculptures made by self-taught artists during the past 40 years. Many of the artists have been unknown to the public until the past decade and have often worked in isolation or in small communities. The new affiliation expands the relationship that the Art Museum at FIU has had with the Smithsonian for several years. "Contemporary Folk Art" is the second major exhibit at the Art Museum from the Smithsonian. A major show featuring modernist and abstract works was staged in January 2000. For
more information on the affiliation agreement or FIU, contact the
FIU Office of Marketing & Media Relations at (305) 348-2232. For
Smithsonian Information, contact David Umansky at (202) 357-2627,
ext. 106. Detailed information about Smithsonian Affiliations may
be found at http://affiliations.si.edu.
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