Agency history, 1979-

Close
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.
Print
 

Subject

  • Robbins, Warren M
  • Williams, Sylvia H
  • Walker, Roslyn A
  • Reinhardt, John E
  • Fiske, Patricia L
  • Patton, Sharon F
  • Kreamer, Christine Mullen
  • Cole, Johnnetta B
  • Casely-Hayford, Gus
  • Mack, Deborah L (Deborah Lynn) 1952-
  • Blankenberg, Ngaire
  • Museum of African Art (U.S.)
  • National Museum of African Art (U.S.) Founding Director Emeritus
  • National Museum of African Art (U.S.) Acting Director

Category

Agency History

Notes

  • This is an agency history. It does not describe actual records. The Smithsonian Institution Archives uses these histories as brief accounts of the origin, development, and functions of an office or administrative unit to set that unit in its historical context. To find information on record holdings, please double-click the highlighted field "Creator/Author", which will open on a brief view of relevant records.
  • Torch, February 1997
  • Guide to the Smithsonian Archives, 1996
  • The Museum of African Art became part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1979, acquiring its present name in 1981. Its Founding Director was Warren M. Robbins, 1979-1981, and Founding Director Emeritus and Senior Scholar, 1982-1995. Subsequent Directors included John E. Reinhardt, Acting Director, 1981-1983; Sylvia H. Williams, 1983-1996; Patricia L. Fiske, Acting Director, 1996; Roslyn A. Walker, 1997-2002; Sharon F. Patton, Director, 2003-2008; Christine Mullen Kreamer, Acting Director, 2009; Johnetta B. Cole, Director, 2009-2017; Christine Mullen Kreamer, Acting Director, 2017; Gus Casely-Hayford, 2018-2019; Deborah L. Mack, Interim Director, 2019-2020; and Ngaire Blankenberg, 2021- .
  • The Director is responsible for implementing the broad mission of the National Museum of African Art. The first Director, Warren M. Robbins, led the Museum from its beginnings as a private organization, the Museum of African Art, through its incorporation into the Smithsonian. Subsequent Directors have worked with their staffs to present the visual arts and culture of the African continent in fresh and engaging ways.
  • For a history of the larger creating unit, refer to "Forms part of" above.

Repository Loc.

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520

Date

  • 1979
  • 1979-

Topic

  • Art, African
  • Art museums
  • Museums
  • Museum directors

Form/Genre

Mixed archival materials

Local number

SIA AH00362

Full Record

View Full Record