Institute of Texan Cultures Formalizes Partnership with Smithsonian Institution

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Institute of Texan Cultures has joined the Smithsonian Affiliations program and will formalize the agreement at a signing ceremony at 10 a.m. on Thurs., January 28.

As a Smithsonian Affiliate, the institute will complement and broaden its exhibitions with unique and inspiring Smithsonian artifacts, its varied educational curricula, expert speakers, performing arts programs and other Smithsonian resources that convey America’s heritage.

UTSA President Ricardo Romo and Institute Executive Director Tim Gette, along with Harold A. Closter, director of Smithsonian Affiliations, will address Smithsonian officials, local civic leaders, UTSA personnel and friends of the Institute at the ceremony.

"The Smithsonian has a long and proud relationship with the ITC, going back to 1972 during the first Texas Folklife Festival and continuing right up to the present," said Closter. "We are confident that the Affiliate relationship will enhance the work that both of our organizations are doing to understand, interpret and display the wonderful and diverse traditions of the American people."

The Institute of Texan Cultures joins 168 Affiliate partners in 41 states, the District of Columbia, Panama and Puerto Rico.

"The Smithsonian Institution is synonymous with world class teaching and learning through its exhibits, programs and outreach, and it is an honor to be included in the company of this national treasure," said UTSA President Ricardo Romo.

Smithsonian Affiliation marks a renaissance for the Institute of Texan Cultures. The Institute is working to redevelop and update the exhibit floor and bring in world-class exhibits from the Smithsonian and other notable museums to San Antonio and Texas.

To learn more about the Institute of Texan Cultures, visit www.TexanCultures.com.

The Institute of Texan Cultures is an agency of the Vice President for Community Services at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Located on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus in downtown San Antonio, the 182,000-square-foot complex features 65,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and displays that tell the stories of Texas’ cultural heritage. In addition to its public exhibits, the institute develops quality, accessible resources for educators and lifelong learners on topics of cultural heritage.