Formal portrait of Myriam Springuel
Under Secretary for Education

Myriam Springuel

Director, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations

Myriam Springuel is the director of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliations (SITES | Affiliations). SITES | Affiliations makes connections, creating relationships among the Smithsonian and museums and other organizations across the country and beyond. It expands the reach and impact of the Smithsonian and its network of collaborators, widely sharing knowledge, resources and expertise. 

SITES, a leader in traveling exhibition services, supports learning and engagement with exhibitions for organizations large and small, including resources to engage lifelong learners and teachers in their community. Museum on Main Street (MoMS), a SITES program, works with state humanities councils to bring cultural resources and develop capacity around small exhibitions in rural communities across America. Smithsonian Affiliations partners with more than 200 education and cultural organizations in nearly every state, Puerto Rico and Panama to engage Affiliates and their communities with Smithsonian resources to foster dialogue and understanding through collaborative public programs, professional development, exhibitions and artifact loans. 

Before becoming director of SITES | Affiliations, Springuel served as interim director of Smithsonian Affiliations from June 2017 until June 2018 when the two units were aligned. In addition, she served as interim director of SITES from February 2014 until November 2015 when she was appointed director. 

Springuel previously served as director of education and later associate director for programs at SITES from 1986 to 1994. After leaving SITES, she founded Springuel Consulting which specialized in organizational change, governance, community engagement and the visitors’ experience. Springuel developed strategic plans with large and small museums and provided board and leadership training. From 1982 to 1986, she curated fine arts exhibitions and developed education programs at The Ringling in Sarasota, Florida.

Springuel received a master’s degree in art history from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in art history and political science from Tufts University. She speaks on museum issues at national and international conferences. Born in Belgium, she became a U.S. citizen in 1985 and is fluent in English and French. 

# # #

SI-296-2021