The Smithsonian Women’s Committee (SWC) has awarded 17 grants totaling more than $423,588 for 2024. These grants will benefit education, research, exhibitions, and digitization in 10 Smithsonian museums, research centers and offices. A complete list of grants awarded follows.
“Each year our organization awards grants of up to $35,000 to SI museums, research centers and programs so that valuable but unfunded projects can move forward,” said Trudi Hahn, SWC president. “Often, SWC grants are the seed money for new research which may lead to additional outside funding or lead to projects that might not otherwise be funded. Every project funded through a SWC grant must have an immediate benefit, and most are completed within 18 months of funding.”
The SWC is a Washington based volunteer organization dedicated to advancing the Smithsonian mission to increase and diffuse knowledge. Since its founding in 1966, the SWC has provided more than $14 million in grants and endowments for the Smithsonian with funds raised primarily through two annual signature events, the Smithsonian Craft Show in the spring and Craft2Wear in the fall.
The 2024 Smithsonian Craft Show opens Wednesday, May 1, with a Preview Night Benefit and continues through Sunday, May 5, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Proceeds from ticket sales and an online auction directly support the work of the Smithsonian. For details on this year’s show and to purchase tickets, go to SmithsonianCraftShow.org.
2024 Grants Awarded by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee
For Education
Anacostia Community Museum ($14,571) to support Growing Community Summer Youth Gardening Workshop Series in 2024.
National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ($17,000) to support the design, printing and distribution of “Meet Your Virginia Grassland Birds” booklet.
National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ($10,730) to support a collaborative project with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in increasing the data literacy of DCPS middle school students through behavioral observations of river otters.
Smithsonian Associates ($28,525) to support the script revisions, production costs and performances on the Mall, on tour and online through simulcasting of the play “Mother Earth and Me” for 2023–24 and 2024–2025 performance seasons.
Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery ($33,700) to support a collaborative quilting project with Susie Brandt and 4-H clubs to be shown September 2025–2026.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center ($32,500) to fund internships for five post-baccalaureates who are interested in pursuing careers and graduate degrees in STEM but had limited research experiences during their undergraduate careers.
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center ($26,990) to fund three undergraduate marine biology students who will lead each aspect of the project in mangrove data collection, guided by the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute and the Smithsonian, and aided by representatives from other stakeholders (Forestry Department, Fisheries Department, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, Friends of Swallow Cave).
Smithsonian Science Education Center ($13,984.23) to fund the translation of two SI Science for Computational Thinking curriculum modules and a digital Whale Protection game from English into Ukrainian for ages 5–11 years.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory ($28,240.99) to fund the purchase of a mobile planetarium and create a traveling STEM education program for English and Spanish speaking groups, native reservations, schools, libraries and community centers to increase STEM education services in these communities.
For Research
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage ($34,180) to support an Indigenous Research Associate to assist research, consultation and implementation in the stewardship and ethical return of sacred Hopi recordings by Laura Boulton in 1930.
National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ($15,800) to research and to develop a system to produce a high concentration of extracellular vesicles (EVs) through cell culture that are good or better than naturally secreted EVs in improving embryo development.
National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ($22,400) to study milk nutrients and microbiomes and probiotics to improve infant health in endangered rhinos.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory ($34,667) to fund an intern for 10 months who will work closely with team to further enhance AI models, handle larger volumes of data, drive impactful partnerships and contribute to the growth of EarthAI over the course of one year.
For Exhibitions
Anacostia Community Museum ($35,000) to create layered interactive map stories of Washington, D.C.’s Anacostia neighborhood from early 1900 to 1970s.
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage ($26,200) to support the research, design and development of an online exhibition spotlighting skilled artisans in diverse communities across America.
Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliates (SITES/SA) ($25,000) to support the design development of the traveling exhibition, “We Are the Story,” narrative quilts that explore the complexity of human experience through the lens of the Black journey in America.
For Digitization
Archives of American Art ($24,100) to digitize records of the Kootz Gallery and Stendahl Art Galleries.
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