Kara Blond Named Director of Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations

The Smithsonian has announced the appointment of Kara Blond as the new director of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations (SITES | Affiliations) effective June 30. With a distinguished career spanning museum and archives leadership, exhibition development, strategic planning and community engagement, Blond brings more than 25 years of experience to this pivotal role.

“Kara’s appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding the Smithsonian’s reach and enriching the ways we connect with communities across the country,” said Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. “Her extensive experience and strategic vision will be vital as we work to share Smithsonian stories and meaningful educational experiences.”

Blond will oversee SITES | Affiliations’ efforts to share Smithsonian content through traveling exhibitions, foster collaboration among partner museums and cultural organizations, and expand unique learning experiences nationally. 

Most recently, Blond served as the executive for presidential libraries at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), where she managed a nationwide system of 16 presidential libraries and museums. Prior to her work at NARA, she was the executive director of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., where she led the development, fundraising and launch of this new institution, securing over $35 million in capital funding. Earlier in her career, Blond held several leadership roles at the Smithsonian, including positions at the National Museum of Natural History and the National Zoo. In these capacities, she oversaw major exhibitions, directed strategic planning initiatives and cultivated national partnerships—demonstrating her ability to lead complex, high-profile cultural initiatives with innovative programming and strong collaborations.

“I am incredibly excited to return to the Smithsonian to serve as director of SITES and Affiliations,” Blond said. “I look forward to working with the team to grow Smithsonian’s impact nationally and build partnerships that foster meaningful connections within and across communities. SITES | Affiliations is perfectly poised to help the Smithsonian widen its doorways and extend opportunities for collaboration, working hand-in-hand with our colleagues across the Institution to share our collective resources and build relationships beyond Washington alone.”

Blond is from Rockville, Maryland. She holds a Master of Arts degree in education from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Pennsylvania. Blond’s extensive exhibition and public engagement experience, including her previous work with the Smithsonian and other major institutions, directly aligns with SITES | Affiliations’ core mission. Her visionary leadership is evident through her strategic planning for complex systems like presidential libraries and her proven track record in shaping the future of museums and cultural institutions worldwide. Blond succeeds Myriam Springuel, who retired as director of SITES | Affiliations in May 2024.

About SITES | Smithsonian Affiliations

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service | Smithsonian Affiliations (SITES | Affiliations) deepens the impact of the Smithsonian beyond Washington, D.C., by bringing its high-quality content, resources and expertise to people across the nation in collaboration with museums and cultural organizations. SITES | Affiliations is home to traveling exhibitions, a vast network of Smithsonian Affiliate organizations, and the Museum on Main Street program that brings the Smithsonian to rural communities across the United States and beyond. Visit SITES | Affiliations for more information.

About the Smithsonian Institution 

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoo, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers and libraries. Two of the 21 museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—are in the planning stages. There are more than 6,200 Smithsonian employees and 3,800 volunteers. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 157 million, of which nearly 148 million are scientific specimens at the National Museum of Natural History. www.si.edu 

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