Smithsonian Exhibits

What Smithsonian Exhibits does

Smithsonian Exhibits (SIE), formerly the Office of Exhibits Central, is the dedicated exhibition production division of the Smithsonian Institution, a federal trust instrumentality of the United States. Operating as an internal service unit since its rebranding around 2015, SIE provides comprehensive exhibition development, design, fabrication, graphics, and installation services to Smithsonian museums, galleries, cultural centers, and libraries across the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with a secondary facility referenced at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland. Its technical capabilities span 3D printing and rapid prototyping, CNC milling, tactile replica creation for accessibility, mannequin and figure fabrication, faux finishing, lenticular graphics production, and an expanding digital/interactive offering incorporating AR and VR for visitor engagement. Staff combine over 180 years of specialized expertise, including a 3D Studio Supervisor with 36+ years of tenure.

SIE's business model is structured as an internal services and inter-agency professional services operation rather than a market-priced commercial vendor. Primary funding flows from Congressional appropriations to the Smithsonian Institution, institutional budgeting across Smithsonian units, and formal Inter-Agency Agreements through the Smithsonian's Office of Sponsored Projects with federal partners such as the FBI (The FBI Experience, 2017) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA Museum, multi-phase). A secondary revenue stream comes from international consulting and capacity-building programs, notably the four-year USAID My Armenia program initiated in 2017, which paired SIE's Chief of Design with peers from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum to deliver exhibition design workshops. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is governed by institutional and inter-agency contracting protocols rather than market billing.

The customer base is dominated by Smithsonian museums and cultural units, with documented engagements across the National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, Hirshhorn Museum, Smithsonian Gardens, Anacostia Community Museum, and the National Museum of the American Latino. SIE reinforces its institutional role by administering the annual Excellence in Exhibitions Award program (documented 2018–2023) and maintains a modest digital presence through exhibits.si.edu, LinkedIn (480+ followers), YouTube, Instagram, and periodic newsletters. Headcount is small (11–50 employees), and the entity is not investor-backed, has no subsidiaries, and operates within the federal trust instrumentality governance structure (20 U.S.C. § 41 et seq.).

Name

Smithsonian Exhibits

Legal name

Smithsonian Institution Exhibits

Website

https://exhibits.si.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Smithsonian Exhibits is the internal exhibition production division of the Smithsonian Institution, providing design, fabrication, graphics, and installation services for Smithsonian museums and select federal and international partners through institutional budgeting and inter-agency agreements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Museum Exhibition Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (71211)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

History Museums (THAJADAB), Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD), Art Museums (THAJADAA)

Keywords

• Museum exhibition design
• Exhibition fabrication services
• Interpretive master planning
• Museum installation services
• Tactile exhibit replicas

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Smithsonian Institution Internal Services: Smithsonian Exhibits operates as an internal production unit for the Smithsonian Institution, providing exhibition development services to Smithsonian museums, galleries, offices, cultural centers, and libraries. Services include design, fabrication, installation, and consultation.
2. Federal Agency Projects: Occasional partnerships with federal agencies for public exhibitions under Inter-Agency Agreement contracting protocol through Smithsonian's Office of Sponsored Projects.
3. International Consulting: International capacity building programs such as the My Armenia program (USAID partnership) providing exhibition design training and consultation to international museum partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Smithsonian Exhibits (SIE) is the exhibits production division of the Smithsonian Institution, providing end-to-end exhibition services including interpretive planning, design, fabrication, graphics, and installation for museums and cultural institutions. The unit serves primarily Smithsonian museums while also extending services to federal agencies (FBI, DIA) and international partners through USAID programs.

Product overview

Smithsonian Exhibits (SIE) is a museum exhibition design, development, and fabrication service operating within the Smithsonian Institution. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services organized around exhibit creation: Exhibit Development and Design Services handle content creation and interpretive planning; Fabrication Services build custom exhibition components including cases, displays, models, and mannequins; Graphics Production creates panels and visual materials; 3D Studio Services produce tactile replicas and model-making using techniques like 3D printing and CNC milling; Installation and Consultation provide on-site installation and strategic planning support. Additional offerings include Interpretive Master Planning and Accessibility Solutions. SIE primarily serves Smithsonian museums but also works with federal agencies and international partners on public exhibition projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Exhibition Design and Development Services End-to-end interpretive planning and exhibit design services for museums and cultural institutions, including concept development, schematic design, and detailed design documentation for permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions.
• Exhibition Fabrication Services Museum-quality fabrication of exhibit components including display cases, mounts, platforms, and custom installations using materials and techniques appropriate for museum environments.
• Graphics Production Services Production of exhibit graphics including interpretive panels, labels, banners, and digital print materials for museum exhibitions.
• 3D Studio and Fabrication Services Specialized 3D production services including 3D printing, CNC milling, tactile replica fabrication, and custom mannequin creation for museum exhibits and accessibility applications.
• Exhibition Installation Services On-site installation of museum exhibits, including de-installation and reinstallation services for traveling exhibitions and site-specific installations.
• Accessibility and Tactile Exhibit Solutions Design and fabrication of accessibility features for museum exhibits, including tactile replicas, multi-sensory interpretive elements, and accessible interactive components.
• Interpretive Master Planning Strategic interpretive planning services for museums and cultural institutions, including content strategy, audience research, and interpretive framework development for exhibition projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3D printed tactile replicas for museum accessibility
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Federal Bureau of InvestigationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2017Created The FBI Experience exhibition at FBI Headquarters spanning two floors, explaining how the FBI works to public visitors. Managed through Smithsonian's Office of Sponsored Projects via Inter-Agency Agreement.
• USAIDmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017My Armenia program - four-year joint project between USAID, Smithsonian Institution, and Armenian government for elevating cultural tourism in regions outside Yerevan. SIE's Chief of Design participated in assessment and workshop phases.
• U.S. Botanic GardencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Annual joint orchid exhibition partner for the 30th annual More than a Flower exhibition hosted at National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• ICOM ArmeniaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017International Council of Museums Armenia branch co-led training workshops for regional museum staff as part of My Armenia program.
• Hirshhorn MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Constructed infinity room Phallis Field for Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors exhibition and assisted with installation of other infinity rooms.
• Metropolitan Museum of ArtminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017Dr. Helen Evens from Met co-presented workshop with SIE's Eric Christiansen as part of My Armenia program.
• British MuseumminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017Amanda Mayne from British Museum co-presented workshop with SIE's Eric Christiansen as part of My Armenia program.
• Smithsonian InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization; Smithsonian Exhibits operates as an internal unit of the Smithsonian Institution providing exhibition development services to all Smithsonian museums, galleries, offices, cultural centers, and libraries.
• National Museum of American HistorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor collaborative partner for exhibition development including Puro Ritmo exhibit at Molina Gallery and Automobile and American Art installation featuring 130+ model cars.
• National Museum of African American History and CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for exhibition development including orchid exhibit collaboration with Smithsonian Gardens and U.S. Botanic Garden.
• Smithsonian GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on exhibition series including Habitat master plan and joint orchid exhibitions; collaborated on outdoor exhibition series interpreted across Smithsonian gardens.
• National Air and Space MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for interactive exhibit development including tactile engine prototype for Nation of Speed exhibition and ongoing exhibition projects.
• Defense Intelligence AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-phase museum exhibition development for the DIA Museum including Phase 1, 2, 3 and Cuban Missile Crisis diorama.
• Anacostia Community MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for We Make History exhibit reopening May 2026; designed in collaboration with ACM team.
• National Museum of the American LatinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Puro Ritmo exhibit currently displayed at National Museum of American History featuring Latino cultural exhibits.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gallagher & Associates: Long-established museum and cultural-institution exhibit design firm with full-service design, fabrication, and installation capabilities — directly comparable to SIE's end-to-end service model for museums and cultural venues.
• ESI Design: Experience design firm producing interpretive and interactive exhibits for museums and cultural institutions (e.g., Statue of Liberty Museum). Comparable to SIE on museum interpretation and visitor-experience design.
• Hilbring Design: Exhibit design and fabrication firm serving museums and visitor centers; directly comparable to SIE on full-service exhibit production.
• C&G Partners: Exhibit, wayfinding, and environmental graphic design firm serving museums, cultural institutions, and public spaces. Comparable to SIE on exhibit design, interpretive graphics, and museum client base.
• FX Design Group: Exhibit design and fabrication company serving museums, visitor centers, and brand environments with in-house design and production — directly comparable to SIE's design-through-fabrication model.
• National Exhibit Company: Exhibit design and fabrication company specializing in museum, visitor center, and interpretive exhibits. Comparable to SIE on museum fabrication and installation.
• Local Projects: Design studio specializing in interactive and digital museum exhibits (e.g., National September 11 Memorial Museum, Cooper Hewitt). Comparable to SIE on exhibit development, with stronger emphasis on digital/interactive delivery.
• Split Rock Studios: Specialty exhibit fabrication and design-build firm serving natural history, science, and children's museums. Directly comparable to SIE on museum exhibit fabrication, model making, and dioramas.
• Roto (formerly Roto Design): Design firm known for immersive, interactive museum and visitor-center experiences, including AR/VR exhibits — comparable to SIE on digital/interactive exhibit development for cultural institutions.

Broad incumbents

• Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) – Exhibits team / Renwick Gallery fabrication: Large institutional exhibit departments at major U.S. museums (e.g., Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, Smithsonian sister museums' in-house teams) overlap functionally with SIE's in-house production role, though at a single-museum scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCR9t7IJS3GtaIyfNVczQLXA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smithsonian-institution-exhibits
• Instagraminstagram.com/smithsonianexhibitsofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/siexhibits

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smithsonian Exhibits