Smithsonian Fiscal Year 2022 Federal Budget Tops $1 Billion

The final appropriation for the Smithsonian for fiscal year 2022, which began Oct. 1, 2021, is $1.062 billion, a slight increase over last fiscal year’s appropriation of $1.032 billion. Several continuing resolutions from Congress covered the period from Oct. 1, 2021, through this month. The Smithsonian’s Salaries and Expenses (S&E) account—its operating budget—is $852.2 million, and the Facilities Capital account—for major renovations and new construction—is $210 million.

The bill included funding for the new museums: $8.3 million for the National Museum of the American Latino and $7.5 million for the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, both authorized by Congress in December 2020.

Salaries and Expenses

The S&E appropriation for FY 2022 was increased by $34 million to support collections and education staffing, research, facilities maintenance, increased security, animal welfare at the National Zoo as well as the Asian Pacific American initiatives pool for the programs and exhibits at Smithsonian museums.

Facilities Capital

The Facilities Capital appropriation of $210 million covers renovations and repairs of some of the oldest and most visited museums. It includes $56 million for the multi-year revitalization of the National Air and Space Museum and $9 million to move staff and collections from the Castle so major renovations of that building can begin.

The Planning and Design allocation of $25 million will go toward major revitalization projects such as the Castle and the Arts and Industries Building, the National Zoo and three older museums on the National Mall (the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden).

The only construction project listed for this fiscal year is $7.6 million for a storage facility (pod 6) at the Museum Support Center campus. It will be used for artifacts and artwork from the National Museum of American History and the National Gallery of Art and as swing space when needed during construction projects.

A budget summary for the FY 2021 and FY 2022 appropriations follows:

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SI-119-2022