Smithsonian Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Appropriation Totals $761.4 Million

The Smithsonian’s FY 2010 budget appropriation from Congress is $761.4 million, an increase of about 4 percent from the $731.4 million appropriated to the Institution in FY 2009 (this number did not include the $25 million the Institution received later in the fiscal year under the Recovery Act). This year’s appropriation, which covers the year that began Oct. 1, 2009, includes $636.2 million for salaries and expenses and $125 million for the facilities
capital account.

The Salaries and Expenses account covers rent and utilities, salaries and benefits, travel, routine maintenance, security and other operating expenses. The Facilities Capital account includes construction, renovations or revitalizations and planning and design.

Salaries and Expenses

S&E changes in the FY 2010 appropriation include an increase of $43 million over the previous year. An amount of $26 million covers some of the mandatory cost increases. The budget also includes $2 million for the Smithsonian’s information technology programs, including digitization of collections to make them accessible on the Web and a redesign of the Institution’s home page; an increase of $4 million for facilities maintenance; an increase of $4.5 million for security, custodial and other facilities operation requirements; and a $3 million increase for collections care (conservation and storage) for the museums.

Facilities Capital

The FY 2009 Facilities Capital appropriation has no new construction projects but does include $89.3 million for facilities revitalization and $35.7 million for design and planning for future projects, including $20 million toward the design of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum will be located on the National Mall and is scheduled to open in 2015.

Among the major revitalization projects scheduled this year are:

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• Arts and Industries Building—$12.6 million to replace the building’s roof and windows and restore the exterior of the building.
• National Zoological Park—$12 million to update the seal and sea lion habitat, including plumbing, holding and exhibit pools and visitor access.
• Museum Support Center, Pod 3—$10 million to divide the pod into two permanent floors, each with separate areas for physical anthropology and art collections; each area also will have its own mechanical systems.

The Legacy Fund ($30 million)

If the Smithsonian secures funds or in-kind contributions for the Arts and Industries Building, then the Institution will receive a matching amount from the Legacy Fund toward its renovation and reopening. For example, if the Smithsonian receives a $5 million endowment to support a permanent exhibition in the building, then $5 million becomes available from the federal Legacy Fund.

A summary of the FY 2009 and FY 2010 appropriations follows:

*The rescission includes $14.8 million in FY 2008 funds and $15 million in FY 2009 funds.

**The FY 2009 appropriation does not include $25 million the Institution received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

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SI-486-2009