Dear Friends,

Today, I have the great pleasure of writing to you as the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s deputy director for museum content and outreach to share my experience in SAAM’s incredible programs for career development. In 1995, SAAM welcomed me as a curatorial intern. The experience helped me gain a foothold in the competitive museum world and taught me about the various career paths museums offer. In 2000, SAAM welcomed me back as a predoctoral fellow. The mentorship and guidance I received helped launch my academic and professional career. This is one of the reasons SAAM holds a special place in my heart.

For more than fifty years, SAAM’s Research and Scholars Center has fostered the next generation of museum leaders through its preeminent fellowship program, the oldest and largest in the world for the study of American art. We have welcomed over 700 students and scholars from all over the world, launched the careers of hundreds of curators and museum professionals— including several members of SAAM’s leadership team— and contributed to a more diverse and equitable community of museum professionals.

I am the product of SAAM’s education and professional outreach. I hope you are inspired by SAAM’s amazing work and consider helping us continue to impact the next generation. Please consider making a year-end donation today to support SAAM and the work we do in our galleries and behind-the-scenes.

I wish you and your family a happy holiday season, and I hope to see you in the museum in 2023.

Sincerely,


Jane Carpenter-Rock
Deputy Director for Museum Content and Outreach
Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery