Title 20EducationRelease 119-73

§76c Policy to foster appreciation of past and contemporary art

Title 20 › Chapter CHAPTER 3— - SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERIES › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - SMITHSONIAN GALLERY OF ART › § 76c

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Regents must keep a high standard for the art shown in the Gallery and work to increase public appreciation of both old and new art by holding exhibitions in Washington and elsewhere. They may accept private gifts of art and money to buy art. Money received must be kept in a special account held by the Treasurer of the United States and can be spent to buy works of art. To support contemporary art, Regents may raise private funds; buy, sell, or accept contemporary works or copies; hire artists and staff; give scholarships; and run exhibitions. Money for these activities must stay in that special account and be used only for them. Regents cannot promise to spend more than the funds they have.

Full Legal Text

Title 20, §76c

Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)It shall be the policy of the Regents to maintain a worthy standard for the acceptance of art objects for exhibition in the Gallery, and to foster by public exhibitions from time to time in Washington, and other parts of the United States a growing appreciation of art, both of past and contemporary time; and the Regents are authorized to solicit and receive private donations of works of art and contributions of funds from private sources for the purchase of works of art. Funds so received shall be placed in a special deposit account with the Treasurer of the United States and may be expended by the Regents for the purchase of works of art.
(b)In order to encourage the development of contemporary art and to effect the widest distribution and cultivation in matters of such art, the Regents are authorized to solicit and receive funds from private sources, to acquire (by purchase or otherwise) and sell contemporary works of art or copies thereof, to employ artists and other personnel, award scholarships, conduct exhibitions, and generally to do such things and have such other powers as will effectuate the purposes of this subsection. Funds received by the Regents under this subsection shall be placed in a special deposit account with the Treasurer of the United States and may be expended by the Regents for the purposes enumerated in this subsection and for no other purposes: Provided, That the Regents shall not incur any obligations under this subsection in excess of the funds available therefor.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

20 U.S.C. § 76c

Title 20Education

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73