Smithsonian secretary: How the shutdown harms our great cultural institutions
Each day of the shutdown has palpable effects on this venerable cultural institution, the people we serve and the members of the Smithsonian family.
As I write this, the federal government has been partially shut down for a month. In addition to the effects on the many federal agencies that have been reported in the news media, our great cultural institutions are also sustaining direct and indirect harm.
Through the use of carry-over funds from the last fiscal year, the Smithsonian Institution was able to remain open for the first 11 days of the shutdown. During that holiday period, more than a million visitors were inspired and informed by our exhibitions and programs. When these funds were exhausted on Jan. 2, we were forced to close our doors to the public.
As the world’s largest museum, research and education complex, the Smithsonian comprises 19 museums, nine research centers, the National Zoo, and many educational units and programs. The loss of these offerings is large and growing as each day passes. Every day of closure prevents approximately 45,000 visitors from viewing our treasures and engaging our experts.
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School trips cannot occur with museums closed. The research of curators and others in our museums is halted. Numerous expeditions and field campaigns related to biodiversity, human origins, and healthy forests and waterways have been canceled.
Is the effect of the shutdown strictly the loss of these cultural offerings and our ability to tell the story of our country and the world beyond? No, the effect is much broader and more fundamental:
►Most important from a humanitarian perspective is the effect of loss of salary on our more than 4,000 furloughed employees. It is reassuring and appreciated that the president and Congress have agreed to supply back pay once the government fully reopens. But to many of our employees, particularly those with more modest salaries, the loss of each paycheck causes direct and significant harm. And some contractors to the Smithsonian will not be eligible for this back pay. We have heard many stories, within the Smithsonian and far beyond, that indicate the direct human toll of the shutdown.
►Second, and important for the longer-term vitality and effectiveness of the Smithsonian, is the loss of revenue to the institution. The Smithsonian is the very exemplar of a public/private partnership. Beginning with the bequest from British scientist James Smithson and carrying through today, the Smithsonian’s $1.4 billion annual budget is an amalgam of federal support, philanthropy and revenue from retail operations. The closure of restaurants, shops, IMAX theaters and other operations is costing the Smithsonian approximately $1 million in revenue each week. These losses are not recoverable. They will have a lasting effect on our budget for this fiscal year. And that effect grows each day.
Each day of the shutdown has palpable effects on this proud and venerable cultural institution, the people we serve and the members of the Smithsonian family. I hope that these effects will soon come to a halt, and that we will be able to again serve the American public as we have for more than 172 years.
David J. Skorton is the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidJSkorton
