The Smithsonian Institution has outlined the specific benefits and procedural requirements for its affiliate membership program, a system that allows participating organizations to offer their members dual memberships and access to a national network of free admission. This information comes as the Smithsonian prepares for its next application cycle, which is scheduled to open in early Spring 2027.
Membership Opportunities and Benefits
The Smithsonian Affiliations program offers two distinct membership opportunities designed to help participating organizations maintain engagement within their local communities. According to the Smithsonian Institution, these options provide a way for Affiliates to leverage their own organizational membership in combination with a Smithsonian membership, effectively providing "two memberships in one" for their participants.
Beyond the organizational benefits, the program includes a Smithsonian Affiliate Reciprocal Membership. This is an opt-in benefit that allows Affiliates to join a national network, granting their members free admission at participating Affiliate locations across the United States. This network includes more than 200 Affiliate organizations that collaborate with the Smithsonian and each other to create educational and inspirational experiences.
Eligibility and Financial Requirements
While the Smithsonian provides various resources to the public, becoming a formal Affiliate requires meeting specific institutional criteria. To be eligible, an organization must be a non-profit with a 501(c)(3) designation and must maintain current Form 990s on file with the IRS. Alternatively, public institutions associated with state or local governments may qualify.
Prospective Affiliates must also maintain a physical location where they provide services or activities to the public on a consistent and predictable schedule. The Smithsonian Institution notes that organizations currently under development, those not yet open to the public, or those that are temporarily closed are not eligible for affiliation. Once accepted, organizations are required to sign a Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Agreement and must commit to an annual Smithsonian Affiliations fee of $3,000.
Selection Process and Regional Priorities
The application process is highly selective and occurs approximately every 18 months. When applications are received, a committee comprising Smithsonian and Affiliate leaders, alongside experts in museums and cultural organizations, reviews each submission using a standard rubric. The final decision regarding acceptance rests with the Director of SITES | Smithsonian Affiliations.
For the upcoming application cycle, the Smithsonian has indicated that preference will be given to organizations located in states where they do not currently have Affiliates, specifically naming Idaho, North Dakota, and Utah. Additionally, the Smithsonian is looking to prioritize organizations that have previously collaborated with the institution on research, exhibition development, collections sharing, or educational programming, as well as those working within rural communities.
Collaboration and Additional Costs
The Smithsonian provides several resources for organizations to explore before applying. This includes an Application Toolkit designed to help teams assess their capacity and vision for collaboration, as well as a Learning Hub that showcases successful examples of Affiliate collaborations.
While the $3,000 annual fee covers the membership, the Smithsonian notes that additional costs may arise depending on the scope of collaboration. These separate costs can include travel, lodging, and per diem for curators or educators, as well as expenses related to traveling exhibitions, such as insurance, packing, shipping, conservation, and security. Even without formal affiliation, any organization can request to borrow objects, rent traveling exhibitions, or access educational resources through the Smithsonian Collections Search Center or the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).
Mission and Impact
The Smithsonian's mission through its affiliation program is to underscore the importance of local stories in understanding national narratives. By connecting and strengthening the nation's diverse museums and cultural organizations, the program aims to promote innovative best practices for museum professionals and inspire lifelong learning through local perspectives on national and global issues.
Future Application Cycle
Interested organizations can currently review the available resources on the Smithsonian Affiliations website to determine if the partnership aligns with their goals. The next window for submitting new Affiliate applications is expected to open in early Spring 2027.
