We're Bringing a Bit of the Smithsonian to You

So how do you feel about being part owner in a major cultural institution?

No, I’m not talking about Facebook’s recent IPO. I’m talking about the Smithsonian Institution. Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. It’s also about 65 percent federally funded, which means it’s ours.

The Smithsonian is the caretaker of America’s greatest treasures, from the Wright Brothers’ plane (National Air and Space Museum) to inaugural ball gowns worn by first ladies (National Museum of American History) to adorable baby red pandas (National Zoo) to artwork by beloved artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Winslow Homer (American Art Museum).

That’s why those of us at Polk Museum of Art are over the moon-rocks (National Air and Space Museum) about having the opportunity to bring a bit of the Smithsonian to Lakeland. In 2010, Polk Museum of Art became a Smithsonian Affiliate, which allows us to borrow artworks from the Smithsonian and to tap into its resources and training programs.

This fall, we’ll bring in our first Smithsonian show from the National Portrait Gallery, In Vibrant Color: Vintage Celebrity Portraits from the Harry Warnecke Studio. It is a collection of color photographs of celebrities who rose to fame at a time when color photography was in its infancy. The show was organized by the National Portrait Gallery, where it is now showing. The exhibition is on view at the National Portrait Gallery through September 9, then it’s coming to the Polk Museum of Art in October, so we’ll be the first museum to get this show outside of the Smithsonian. Pretty exciting stuff!

Meantime, if you get to Washington this summer, you should stop by your Smithsonian. (Visit www.si.edu to plan your trip.) And hey, since you’re a “shareholder,” admission is free.