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If you are a Smithsonian magazine subscriber (Supporting Member), please contact the magazine.

Need help renewing your membership? Need to update your contact information? Have questions about something else? We are happy to help you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering what the difference is between a Smithsonian Associate membership and a Friends of the Smithsonian membership? Interested in how to rent the Smithsonian's facilities for an event? You can find answers to all of these questions and more in our FAQ.

Membership Benefits

Click on a membership level below to learn more about the benefits. For a listing of our tax-deductible benefits and information for 2023, see: Friends of the Smithsonian and James Smithson Society.

Upcoming Events

Annual Smithsonian Weekend 2024

Annual Smithsonian Weekend

May 10-11, 2024

A tradition much beloved and attended by members and donors from across the nation, the Annual Smithsonian Weekend gives you the opportunity to hear from the highest-level leaders about how your gifts help fund new initiatives and exhibitions, and meet new leaders sharing their vision and the impact the Smithsonian is having on the nation and the world, through your support.

For more information about this event, please email smithsonsociety@si.edu.

Food for Thought

Food for Thought Lecture Series 2024

June 18, July 23, August 7

This annual lecture series features three programs highlighting the Smithsonian’s dynamic leaders, their diverse areas of expertise, comprehensive planning for their museums and research centers, and mission-driven initiatives.

For more information about these events, please email smithsonsociety@si.edu.

Recent Virtual Events

A selection of recordings from recent events for you to enjoy.

Virtual Hike with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

This year, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute celebrates the centennial of Barro Colorado Island’s founding in 1923 as a gateway to understanding the most complex and biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. BCI is a magnet for those curious about unraveling the mysteries of biodiversity and its relevance to human welfare. From microbes to monkeys, anthropology to zoology, and fossilized forests to lightning storms, join STRI researchers as they take you into the woods and share their fascinating insights and reflections on over a century of continuous Smithsonian exploration in Panama and beyond. View recording »

Hidden Figures No More: Women in Aviation and Space History

Since the advent of aviation and space flight, women have been a part of every major milestone and every mundane task. Yet women’s stories are undertold and underimagined, leading to an erasure from the historical record that contributes to the continued underrepresentation of women in these fields today. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is committed to disrupting this pattern by researching and amplifying women’s stories in exhibitions, public programs and digital resources. Learn more about this important work and some of the histories being amplified today. View recording »