Smithsonian Institution | USAGov (2024)

The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and 9 research facilities.

Phone number

1-202-633-1000

TTY

1-202-633-5285

Email

info@si.edu

Find an office near you

Visit the Smithsonian

Main address

PO Box 37012
SI Building, Room 153, MRC 010
Washington, DC 20013-7012

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Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

Smithsonian Institution | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get hired at Smithsonian? ›

The hiring process at Smithsonian takes an average of 36.08 days when considering 90 user submitted interviews across all job titles.

How long would it take to see everything at the Smithsonian museum? ›

You can't possibly see everything there is to see. In fact, if you spent 1 minute at each exhibit it would take more than 258 years to see them all, but we're to help make sure you see the highlights.

Is the Smithsonian subject to FOIA? ›

As a trust instrumentality of the United States, the Smithsonian is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

What is the difference between Smithsonian Associates and Friends of the Smithsonian? ›

In addition to the increased benefits of membership, including specially chosen publications and event invitations, Friends of the Smithsonian members also receive an increased tax deduction. The National Associate Membership is essentially a subscription to Smithsonian magazine.

Does the Smithsonian pay well? ›

The average Smithsonian Institution salary ranges from approximately $49,000 per year for Supervisor to $169,831 per year for Controller. Average Smithsonian Institution hourly pay ranges from approximately $15.15 per hour for Associate to $37.55 per hour for Utility Operator.

What is the pay scale for the Smithsonian? ›

The average Smithsonian Institution salary ranges from approximately $50,400 per year for Post-doctoral Fellow to $166,249 per year for Director of Business Development. Average Smithsonian Institution hourly pay ranges from approximately $15.15 per hour for Associate to $44.28 per hour for Engineering Technician.

Can you do the Smithsonian in one day? ›

Within each of these smaller exhibits, you can see traditional clothing, household items and living structures, as well as hear each language being spoken and sung. If you can fit all of that into one day, excellent work.

What is the most famous museum in the Smithsonian? ›

As the premier branch of the Smithsonian's exemplary art portion, the National Gallery of Art is one of the most popular and impressive art museums in the US, rivaling MoMA and the Met in New York and Boston's Museum of Fine Art.

Which Smithsonian museum is visited the most? ›

Since 2001, the total visits to the Smithsonian have also reflected the number of visits to the National Zoo.
...
2021.
Smithsonian American Art Museum (With the Renwick Gallery)420,491
Freer Gallery of Art81,605
National Postal Museum21,627
National Zoo957,466
Total Visits in 20215.2 M
17 more rows

Can you record in the Smithsonian? ›

The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial use only in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted. For the safety of our visitors and collections, the use of tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks is not permitted at any time.

Can law enforcement carry in the Smithsonian? ›

The prohibition on firearms applies to all visitors, including those with firearm permits, but not to active law enforcement personnel authorized to carry firearms. Display or carry placards, signs, or banners. Destroy, damage, or remove property. Climb upon any part of a building.

What branch of government is the Smithsonian under? ›

Congress vested responsibility for the administration of the Smithsonian in a Board of Regents, consisting of the Chief Justice of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, three members of the United States Senate, three members of the United States House of Representatives, and nine citizens.

What are the benefits of being a Smithsonian member? ›

Benefits
  • Smithsonian magazine (one year subscription) or Air & Space Magazine (seven issues)
  • A personalized Smithsonian Affiliate membership card.
  • Free admission to the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, NY.
  • 10% discounts on café dining at Smithsonian Museum's in DC.

Does Disney own Smithsonian? ›

The Smithsonian Channel is an American pay television channel owned by Paramount Global through its media networks division under MTV Entertainment Group.

Are Smithsonian employees federal? ›

Are Smithsonian Federal Employees the Same as Employees at a Regular Federal Agency? Generally, yes. Smithsonian federal employees are regular civil service employees. The Smithsonian does not have political appointees.

Do you need a PHD to work at the Smithsonian? ›

Even at the Smithsonian, many curators do not have PhDs. Folklorists do. Curators of aeronautics and space science do. But at the National Museum of American History, only 30 percent of research staff have Ph.

What is the most expensive thing in the Smithsonian? ›

The Hope Diamond | Smithsonian Institution.

Does the Smithsonian assist the FBI? ›

Analyzing Human Remains

In these cases Smithsonian anthropologists work with the FBI, State Department, and other law enforcement agencies to identify the individuals and solve crimes. They also conduct research on historic and prehistoric human remains to learn more about people from the past.

What is a low salary in DC? ›

Beginning July 1, 2023, the minimum wage in the District of Columbia will increase from $16.10 per hour to $17.00 per hour for all workers, regardless of the size of the employer. Beginning May 1, 2023, the base minimum wage for tipped employees will increase from $5.35 per hour to $6.00. Need to file a claim?

What is the highest paying job in Washington, DC? ›

High Paying Washington Jobs
  • Child Psychiatrist. Salary range: $240,500-$393,498 per year. ...
  • Dentist. Salary range: $144,944-$216,880 per year. ...
  • Telemedicine Nurse Practitioner. Salary range: $106,829-$167,491 per year. ...
  • ICU Nurse. ...
  • Federal Contractor. ...
  • Economist. ...
  • Security Clearance. ...
  • Software Engineer.

Who is the highest paid government employee in Washington, DC? ›

Image via iStock. Washington Business Journal has created a database of DC employee salaries, allowing Washingtonians to see what their public officials are making. The city's top earner? University of the District of Columbia President Ronald Mason, who pulls in $322,354 a year.

What is the #1 site visited in Washington, DC? ›

1 – The White House

At the top of the list of tourist attractions in Washington DC is, without doubt, the White House. Most visitors stopping by just take a picture of the outside. If that's what you're after, you'll get the best views from either Pennsylvania Avenue NW at Lafayette Square or The Ellipse Park.

Which Smithsonian has the Hope Diamond? ›

Hope Diamond. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

How long does it take to walk the entire Smithsonian? ›

Once inside, the average guest stays for about 2 hours. This museum covers the entire world!

What is the oldest thing at the Smithsonian? ›

Studded with molten clumps of minerals (chondrules) distributed like currants in a fruitcake, the Allende meteorite, as it came to be known, contains the oldest material in the Smithsonian Institution, or any institution.

Is the Batmobile at the Smithsonian? ›

For the next three years, the full-scale Batmobile seen in that movie is on view at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, on loan from Warner Bros.

What is the oldest museum in the Smithsonian? ›

National Museum of Natural History Housing the Smithsonian's oldest collections, the National Museum of Natural History holds over 126 million objects in anthropology, geology, and natural history.

What are the 2 new Smithsonian museums? ›

The Smithsonian's Board of Regents announced Thursday that it has selected two optimal locations for its new museums, the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women's History Museum.

What is the newest Smithsonian? ›

The newest Smithsonian Institution museum is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Situated on the National Mall, this new architectural wonder is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture.

Can I use a Smithsonian photograph without permission? ›

No. You must request separate rights to reproduce or use images. For example, if you plan to use one of our images in an exhibition as well as the printed catalog, there is an additional fee for the second use.

What do you wear to the Smithsonian? ›

Get through security in a breeze by reviewing the museum's security policies. Visitors carrying prohibited items will not be allowed inside the museum. Dress Comfortably: A visit to the Smithsonian usually involves a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and layers of clothing.

Does the Smithsonian have human remains? ›

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian has developed one of the largest scientific collections in the world of human remains. Most of the remains are in the collections of the National Museum of Natural History and were acquired during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

How many guns are in the Smithsonian? ›

The exhibition was dismantled in 1988 and put in storage, and now has only 150 guns on display scattered throughout the many branches of the Smithsonian Institution. The collection is currently stored in the 'Gun Room' within the National Museum of American History, and is only accessible to scholars and dignitaries.

Can D.C. residents have guns? ›

In general, rifles, shotguns, revolvers, and handguns may be registered in the District of Columbia. Please note that it is illegal to possess a magazine that holds more than ten rounds of ammunition in the District of Columbia.

Can I bring a purse into D.C. museums? ›

You can bring in most items (except weapons!) but food and drink must remain in your bag. You will walk through a metal detector at: Air and Space Museum and its Udvar-Hazy Center (DC & VA)

Who is the Smithsonian owned by? ›

The Smithsonian Institution is a trust instrumentality of the United States, lawfully created by Congress in 1846 to exercise the authority of the United States in carrying out the responsibilities Congress undertook when it accepted the bequest of James Smithson "to found at Washington, under the name of the ...

Who controls the Smithsonian? ›

The Institution, established in 1846, is governed by a board of regents which, by law, is composed of the vice president of the United States, the chief justice of the United States, three members of the Senate, three members of the House of Representatives and nine citizen members.

What degree do you need to work at Smithsonian? ›

Smithsonian Organization and Audience Research

The office is also involved in professional development and the facilitation of meetings. Staff members have degrees in a social science related discipline with coursework in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.

How much does a major gifts officer at the Smithsonian make? ›

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

The position is Major Gifts Officer at National Museum of Natural History with the Smithsonian Institution. The position closes on April 3, 2023. The position is a Grade 13 with an annual salary range of $112,015 - $145,617.

How much does a head curator at the Smithsonian make? ›

Average Smithsonian Institution Curator yearly pay in Washington is approximately $106,747, which is 84% above the national average.

Does the Smithsonian get government funding? ›

The Smithsonian receives funding from federal government appropriations, other governmental entities, and private sources.

Why has Smithsonian Channel gone? ›

A Paramount spokesperson said: “From 5 January 2023, the Smithsonian Channel in the UK will move exclusively to Paramount's popular streaming services, to reflect the way viewers consume or specialist programing and ensure its content is available to the widest possible audience.”

Why isn t battle at the Smithsonian on Disney? ›

The film is expected to return to Disney+ when contracts that were made before The Walt Disney Company purchased 20th Century Fox expire. The movie can be streamed on Starz in the meantime, and is expected to make a return to Disney+ sometime in 2024.

How much do you get paid at the Smithsonian museums? ›

The average Smithsonian Institution salary ranges from approximately $50,400 per year for Post-doctoral Fellow to $166,249 per year for Director of Business Development. Average Smithsonian Institution hourly pay ranges from approximately $15.15 per hour for Associate to $44.28 per hour for Engineering Technician.

How much money does the government give the Smithsonian? ›

The final appropriation for the Smithsonian for fiscal year 2023, which began Oct. 1, 2022, is $1.144 billion, an increase over last fiscal year's appropriation of $1.062 billion.

How much is the Smithsonian worth? ›

As of 2021, the institution's endowment had a total value of about $5.4 billion.
...
Smithsonian Institution.
Logo
Location within Central Washington, D.C. Show map of Central Washington, D.C. Show map of the United States Show all
EstablishedAugust 10, 1846
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How long does it take to find a job in DC? ›

Blame the notoriously slow hiring process at federal government agencies. WASHINGTON — It takes an average 32.2 days to go through the hiring process in D.C., longer than any other city in the nation.

Is working at the Smithsonian a federal job? ›

Are Smithsonian Federal Employees the Same as Employees at a Regular Federal Agency? Generally, yes. Smithsonian federal employees are regular civil service employees. The Smithsonian does not have political appointees.

What degree do you need to work at the Smithsonian? ›

Smithsonian Organization and Audience Research

The office is also involved in professional development and the facilitation of meetings. Staff members have degrees in a social science related discipline with coursework in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.

How much does a museum specialist at the Smithsonian make? ›

The estimated base pay is $37,438 per year. The "Most Likely Range" represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role.

How quickly are hiring decisions made? ›

You can usually expect to hear back from the hiring company or HR department within one or two weeks after the interview, but the waiting time varies for different industries.

What month does most hiring occur? ›

January and February are the most popular hiring months. Avoid the summer and holiday seasons when looking for a new job since most companies slow down during those periods. The best days and times to look for a job are the beginning of the workweek and late mornings; this is when most businesses update job boards.

How long do hiring decisions take? ›

On average, the hiring process lasts three to six weeks. Factors determining the hiring process length include the position level, the number of applicants, and the hiring manager's experience level. Recruiters and hiring managers consider the candidate's experiences and how those relate to the position when decidin.

What is it like to work for the Smithsonian? ›

Smithsonian has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 651 reviews left anonymously by employees. 67% of employees would recommend working at Smithsonian to a friend and 60% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has decreased by -6% over the last 12 months.

How much does a major gifts officer make at the Smithsonian? ›

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

The position is Major Gifts Officer at National Museum of Natural History with the Smithsonian Institution. The position closes on April 3, 2023. The position is a Grade 13 with an annual salary range of $112,015 - $145,617.

What branch of government is the Smithsonian? ›

Founded on August 10, 1846, it operates as a trust instrumentality and is not formally a part of any of the three branches of the federal government. The institution is named after its founding donor, British scientist James Smithson.

What is the highest paying job in a museum? ›

High Paying Museum Curator Jobs
  • Associate Curator. Salary range: $31,000-$74,000 per year. ...
  • Curator of Education. Salary range: $40,500-$66,500 per year. ...
  • Curator. Salary range: $42,000-$65,500 per year. ...
  • Curator of Collections. Salary range: $37,000-$65,000 per year. ...
  • Assistant Curator. ...
  • Numismatist.

Which museum pays the most? ›

Smithsonian Institution has the highest average salary for museum curators.

Is it easy to get a job as a museum curator? ›

To become a curator at a national museum, a PhD is required, as is about five years of field experience. The market is competitive, and academic standards are very high. Useful graduate degrees include restoration science, curatorship, art history, history, chemistry, and business administration.

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