Membership Levels
- Benefits Available to Society Members
- Smithson Benefactor ($2,000 - $3,499)
- Smithson Circle ($3,500 - $4,999)
- Smithson Council ($5,000 - $9,999)
- Smithson Guild ($10,000 and above)
Contributing Membership Benefits available to all Smithson Society Members
- Smithsonian, the monthly magazine of the arts, sciences, and history.
- A Smithsonian Institution annual calendar.
- Discounts: 20% in Smithsonian Museum Stores; 10% on purchases from the Smithsonian Catalogue, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and at www.SmithsonianStore.com.
- Discounts at selected Smithsonian dining facilities.
- Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX® theaters and Einstein Planetarium.
- Free admission to the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City.
- Exclusive weekday access to the Contributing Membership Reception Center.
- An annual Smithsonian museum guidebook.
- An array of exciting Smithsonian publications and newsletters.
- Resident Associate benefits for Washington, DC-area members.*
- Complimentary valet parking at all members-only events and evening receptions.
- Special invitations to a variety of behind-the-scenes tours of selected research projects and the Smithsonian’s newest exhibitions or receptions.
- An invitation to a members-only lecture by a Smithsonian curator or science scholar annually.
- Special notecards of art or artifacts from a Smithsonian museum.
- An invitation to a members-only holiday shopping day each December in a Smithsonian museum gift shop.
- Receipt of the Smithsonian annual report, an insiders’ perspective detailing the Institution’s primary initiatives and plans.
- Personal ticket assistance for exhibitions at selected Smithsonian Affiliate museums across the nation.
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Smithson Benefactor ($2,000 - $3,499)
All of the above, plus:
- An invitation for two to the Smithson Society Annual Members’ Weekend, including exclusive receptions in prominent Smithsonian and Washington venues, behind-the-scenes tours, and an elegant black-tie dinner.
- Private receptions at Contributing Membership events.
- An invitation to an additional exhibition, reception, or behind-the-scenes tour exclusively for Smithson Society members.
- Opportunity to sponsor the Food for Thought annual Smithson Society summer luncheon series, with commensurate recognition.
- Recognition in the Contributing Membership Honor Roll, the Institution’s annual report, and other publications.
- In the first year of membership, special recognition in the Smithson Society Annual Members’ Weekend program and in the Smithson Connections newsletter.
- Personalized service through the Society’s direct phone line.
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Smithson Circle ($3,500 - $4,999)
All of the above, plus:
- Complimentary lunch at selected Smithsonian dining facilities in Washington, DC.
- Invitations to special museum events in members’ local areas where available.
- IMAX® tickets for two at any Smithsonian theater.
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Smithson Council ($5,000 - $9,999)
All of the above, plus:
- Priority registration for Smithsonian Resident Associate events and seminars. (Subject to availability; must notify a James Smithson Society staff member three or more weeks in advance of intent to attend.)*
- An invitation to a private, scholar-hosted tour in a Smithsonian museum, research center, or Affiliate museum.
- An opportunity to dine with senior Smithsonian representatives.
- A Donor-level Contributing Membership to give as a gift.
- Personal assistance in planning visits.
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Smithson Guild ($10,000 and above)
All of the above, plus:
- A private tour and light refreshments for a party of six, upon request.
- Opportunity to consult with a Smithsonian curator about an object that the donor owns or is considering purchasing (by appointment). Note: Curator will not be able to assess value but can advise on authenticity, provenance, and condition.
- For local members or members traveling to the Washington area, waiver of registration fee once annually for lectures, seminars, or performances offered by the Smithsonian’s award-winning Resident Associate program. (Admits one at the Resident Associate member price; not to exceed a value of $100; subject to availability; some restrictions apply; contact a James Smithson Society staff memberfor clarification.)*
- An exclusive additional event during the Smithson Society Annual Members’ Weekend.
- Complimentary tickets to the Smithson Society Annual Members’ Weekend for two friends.
- Special recognition in the Smithson Society Annual Members’ Weekend program.
* Program schedule available at www.ResidentAssociates.org .
Only members in the Washington, DC region receive event invitations. Members who reside elsewhere may elect to receive these benefits by contacting the Contributing Membership office.
Members may also choose to waive any or all benefits to increase the amount of their dues that directly benefit the Smithsonian and to increase the tax-deductible amount of their gift.
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