Budget Cuts May Force Smithsonian to Close Galleries

Pressured by rising costs and budget cuts, the Smithsonian Institution is considering closing a “substantial” number of museum galleries as one possible cost-cutting measure, according to Smithsonian officials.

“Right now we’re talking more about what might happen rather than what is happening,” Smithsonian spokeswoman Madeleine Jacobs said today. “One of the things being considered is closing a certain portion of the galleries if we can’t bring our guard levels up to assure the security of the collection and the safety of the visitors.”

Jacobs declined to specify how many galleries might be closed, because “we don’t like to give out figures when it comes to security.”

The Smithsonian took a 5.6% cut in its fiscal 1990 budget, and National Museum of American History Director Roger Kennedy said today he is concerned over how the institution will absorb that.

Like all federal agencies, the Smithsonian has had to absorb the federal employee pay raise since January and has also taken a cut under Gramm-Rudman legislation.

Like some other tourist attractions in the District of Columbia, the Institution has also seen a drop in visitors over the last year, leading to a commensurate drop in sales in its restaurants and gift shops.

Advertising sales were also down for its magazines.