Thanks to the Smithsonian Women’s Committee

When you walk into a museum and find your way to the newest show, you may or may not notice how you got there. At the National Portrait Gallery, much of the credit for that goes to our Design and Production team. And now, thanks to the generosity of the Smithsonian Women’s Committee, the department was able to replace its dated in-house production equipment with a new high-quality large-format printer, dedicated computer, and special software to produce graphic materials including labels, posters, banners, and signage for public exhibitions, education programs, and outreach activities. Not only are these graphic materials essential components of the visitor exhibition experience, they are also critical marketing and advertising resources used by many departments at the Portrait Gallery.

The only way this purchase was possible for the museum was through a generous grant from the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. The equipment has been in full operation since May 30, 2014, and has produced labels, signs, murals and other graphics for seven exhibitions, as well as education posters, photographic prints for the “Imagine=Image” project, and wayfinding signs throughout the museum. We are extremely pleased to have this new equipment and are still learning the intricacies of the software to better utilize its capabilities. The in-house production of these graphics saves the National Portrait Gallery anywhere from 25 to 55 percent relative to the cost of outsourced production.

 The all-volunteer Smithsonian Women’s Committee (SWC) solicits, researches, and awards grants to Smithsonian projects that bring knowledge, adventure, and discovery to the world. Funding for grants comes primarily from SWC’s two signature events, the Smithsonian Craft Show and Craft2Wear. Additional support comes from corporations, foundations, and individuals through the SWC Grants Fund. To date, the SWC has supported the Smithsonian with grants and endowments nearing $11 million.

The SWC often provides seed money for new research that may lead to additional outside funding or support for projects otherwise too small to be noticed for major giving. Every project the SWC awards through grants has an immediate benefit and is implemented and completed within one year of funding unless grantees apply for an extension.

The National Portrait Gallery is honored to receive one of the nineteen grants for 2014. Each of these grants addresses one or more of the Smithsonian’s Grand Challenges: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe, Valuing World Cultures, Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, and Understanding the American Experience.

We are truly grateful to the Smithsonian Women’s Committee for helping us bring knowledge and discovery to our visitors through the funding of essential equipment and thus address one of the Smithsonian’s Grand Challenges: Understanding the American Experience.

—Caroline Wooden, senior graphic designer, National Portrait Gallery