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Smithsonian to use existing building for Latino museum, bypassing Congress

Created at 1 Sep · 3:47 AM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents approved designating the Arts and Industries Building as the permanent site for the National Museum of the American Latino, bypassing the need for congressional approval for a new construction site.

Key Numbers

$1 billionestimated cost to retrofit building

Who's Involved

Smithsonian Institution
designated Arts and Industries Building for National Museum of the American Latino
Smithsonian Board of Regents
approved designation of Arts and Industries Building
Donald Trump
administration previously sought to defund museum
Smithsonian to use existing building for Latino museum, bypassing Congress

↳ Why This Matters

The Smithsonian's decision allows for the establishment of the National Museum of the American Latino without requiring further congressional approval, potentially accelerating its development despite previous political opposition and funding challenges.

Key facts

  • The Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents designated the Arts and Industries Building as the permanent site for the National Museum of the American Latino.
  • This designation allows the museum to bypass the need for congressional approval for a new construction site.
  • The museum was authorized by Congress in December 2020.
  • The Trump administration had previously proposed defunding the museum.
  • Retrofitting the Arts and Industries Building is expected to cost $1 billion and remains a funding hurdle.

The Smithsonian Institution has approved the conversion of one of its existing buildings into the National Museum of the American Latino, a move that circumvents the need for congressional approval for a new site. The Smithsonian's Board of Regents voted to designate the Arts and Industries Building as the museum's permanent home.

This decision avoids the requirement for congressional approval, which would have been necessary if the museum had been built on a site owned by the National Park Service. The Republican Party, holding a majority in Congress during the Trump administration, had previously shown opposition to the museum's funding. The Trump administration had proposed defunding the museum in favor of a decentralized Latino Center.

Congress authorized the creation of the National Museum of the American Latino in December 2020, and a temporary space opened in 2022 at the National Museum of American History. However, raising the estimated $1 billion needed to retrofit the Arts and Industries Building presents a significant hurdle for the project.

Frequently asked questions

The Smithsonian is using an existing building it owns, the Arts and Industries Building, which does not require congressional approval for site selection, unlike building on National Park Service land.

Congress authorized the museum in December 2020.

The Trump administration had previously sought to defund the museum and create a decentralized Smithsonian Latino Center instead.

Raising funds to retrofit the Arts and Industries Building is expected to cost $1 billion.

What Happens Next

01The Smithsonian will need to raise funds to retrofit the Arts and Industries Building.

How It Developed

The Smithsonian Board of Regents designated the Arts and Industries Building as the permanent site for the National Museum of the American Latino.
This decision allows the museum to bypass congressional approval for a new site.
The museum was authorized by Congress in December 2020 and opened a temporary space in 2022.
The Trump administration had previously sought to defund the museum in favor of a decentralized center.
Raising funds to retrofit the Arts and Industries Building remains a hurdle for the project.

Sources

T1
Smithsonian to put Latino museum in existing building, bypassing Congress approvalReuters

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