Program Information
View Program Information FAQ for:
Lectures, Seminars & Courses FAQ
1. How can I find out about changes in published event schedules?
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Occasionally TSA must change the time, date, or location of a program after an announcement has been published or tickets have been mailed. Our office notifies participants by phone or mail. If you are uncertain about where and when a program is to take place, please call TSA at 202-633-3030, M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A recorded announcement on the TSA 24-hour automated hotline lists events and locations for that day. Friday's recorded announcement also includes the weekend events and tours.
2. Can I purchase tickets at the door?
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Tickets are available (on a first-come, first-served basis) at the door of some TSA events. Tickets for tours and studio arts workshops are not available at the door. Please call 202-633-3030 to be sure that the event is not already sold out.
3. What is your policy on photographing and recording events?
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Participants in Resident Associate member activities may be photographed or videotaped for the educational and promotional purposes of the Smithsonian Institution and The Smithsonian Associates. The taping and/or photographing of concerts or lectures by participants at Resident Associate events (except tours) is not permitted.
4. How do I find out about cancellations due to inclement weather?
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WTOP, 820 AM and 103.5 FM, and many other radio stations carry announcements
about Resident Associate Program events during inclement weather, or you may
call 202.633.3030 anytime for the latest activity information. For Local Study
Tours recorded updates and information call 202.633.8687.
5. Why am I only able to order tickets at non-member prices, even though I am member?
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"If you are a current RAP member, have logged in, and still see only a zero in the Member rate tickets drop-down menu (or Senior Member rate if available), you might be logging in with a duplicate account that is not associated to your membership record."
"Call us at (202) 633-3030 during business hours or send us an email at CustomerService@ResidentAssociates.org to get your membership login name and a new temporary password. You will then be able to purchase tickets at member prices. Your membership level will determine how many member rate tickets (and Senior Member rate if available) you can order: one for an INDIVIDUAL membership and up to six per event for a DOUBLE/FAMILY membership."
Study Tours FAQ
1. How can I find out about last minute tour updates?
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You may call our 24-hour automated hotline at 202-633-8687 for up to date
tour information. If you have any concerns about weather, we suggest you
call our tour hotline prior to departing from home on your tour date.
2. How can I order a meal that fits my dietary needs (food allergies
/ vegetarian) on a tour that includes a meal?
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Please call 202-633-8601 at least one week prior to your tour to discuss
any dietary needs.
3. Where can I find the fringe stops listed in the Associate Magazine?
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Here you will find maps and written directions to all current fringe stops.
4. I have a medical condition that necessitates a special seat on
a bus, how can I ensure that my needs are met?
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Our policy regarding special seating is to fax a doctor’s note and
written request to 202-633-9250. This can also be mailed to:
Smithsonian Local Tours
P.O. 23293
Washington, DC 20026
5. Are gratuity and tips included in the cost of the tour?
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Yes, gratuities and tips are included to all appropriate parties. Your Smithsonian Study Leader and Smithsonian Representative are professionals who do not receive tips.
6. Do tours operate rain or shine?
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Yes, tours operate rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, tours may be rescheduled, please call our 24-hour automated hotline at 202-633-8687 for updated tour information prior to your tour.
7. Where can I park for tours?
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Please see this pdf file for study tours general parking information.
8. Where do tours leave from?
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Daytime, weekend bus tours usually depart from the Holiday
Inn Capitol at 550 C Street, SW (corner of 6th & C). Weekend overnight tours usually depart from the Constitution Ave. entrance of American History Museum. Weekday tours continue to depart from the DeSales St. side of the Mayflower Hotel located at 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW. Specific departure information will be printed on your ticket and updated on our tour hotline one week prior to the tour.
9. What if I have to cancel a tour?
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You can cancel a tour 3 ways. Sometimes you are charged a fee and not every part of a tour is refundable.
By Fax: Please cut up the tickets into pieces and photocopy them. Fax to 202-786-2034, with your name and daytime phone number.
At the Box Office: Our window in the S. Dillon Ripley Center is open 10am-5pm Monday-Friday.
By Mail:
The Smithsonian Associates Refund Department
P.O. Box 23293
Washington, D.C. 20026-3293.
10. Are there any cancellation fees?
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One-day Study Tours Refund Policy:
Credits will not be issued for tickets to programs that have a Resident Member price of less than $40. To receive credit for tickets with a Resident Member price of $40 or more, please call 202-633-3030 and speak with Customer Service at least 10 working days prior to the program date. Please note that there is a $10 processing fee.
Overnight Study Tours Refund Policy:
To receive credit for a course, please call 202-633-3030 To receive credit, please call 202-633-3030 and speak with Customer Service. Credit will be issued, provided cancellation is requested at least 45 days prior to the tour date. Cancellations received between 15 and 45 days before the tour are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. No credit will be issued for cancellations received fewer than 15 days before the tour date.
For a refund, tickets must be received in our office by the appropriate deadlines.
If a program is filled before we receive your order, or if it is cancelled
at any time, you will receive a full refund.
The office of the Resident Associate Program is closed weekends and federal
holidays.
The cost of some components of tickets—such as entrance fees, theater
tickets, various food programs and meals, and airline and other transportation—may
not be able to be credited.
Credits are non-transferable.
11. How do I know if I meet the physical requirements for the tour?
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If you are doubtful of your physical abilities please contact 202-633-8601 to discuss physical requirements for the tour in which you are interested.
12. What do I need to bring/wear on tour?
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Read tour description carefully to be prepared with appropriate clothes, hats, shoes, water, etc. If you have any questions, please call us at 202-633-8601
13. Is travel insurance available for day tours as well as overnight
tours?
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No, travel insurance is only advised for overnight, multi-day tours.
14. Why would I want to purchase travel insurance?
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Overnight tours are non-refundable and emergencies do occur where last-minute cancellations may be necessary. Travel insurance provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents.
15. Do I purchase travel insurance on my own or through TSA?
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If a participant wishes to purchase travel insurance, they must do so on
their own. TSA does not do this for them. Additional information
16. Do you wait for everyone before the tours depart?
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Tours depart ON-TIME and do not wait for late arrivals. Please give yourself plenty of time to arrive at bus departure location.
17. How are seats determined on the bus?
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Seats on the bus are first-come/first-served.
Study Tour Policies & Important Information
Unless otherwise noted in an announcement:
- Tours go rain or shine.
- Fees are all-inclusive.
- Senior discounts do not apply.
- Only animals providing assistance to a participant with a disability are permitted on tours.
- Tours depart on time and do not wait for anyone not on board.
- Teenagers 14–17 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Unless otherwise noted, minimum age is 14.
- Itineraries are subject to minor change.
- Smoking is not permitted on buses.
- Call the Tour Office to determine accessibility of specific tours for persons with limited mobility, and to make advance accomodations if necessary.
- Those with dietary restrictions should call the Tour Office prior to departure; most requests can be accommodated.
- Tour buses returning to the Mall after dark when the museums are closed will stop, upon request, at the nearby taxi stand for those wishing a taxi.
- Seats at or near the front of tour buses can be reserved for those with special needs by calling the Tour Office.
- Participants on overnight tours will be required to sign a responsibility statement and liability waiver and complete a personal information form
(sample) prior to the tour. Participants may
wish to buy travel insurance for overnight tours.
- Please check your calendar carefully before registering—study
tours are nonrefundable within 10 days of the start of the program.
No exceptions.
- Please see our information for Study Tour cancellation and refund policy.
Studio Arts FAQ
Studio Arts hotline: 202-633-8690
1. What should I bring to class?
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Please refer to the full course write-up in the Associate course catalogue or on-line to determine whether you will receive a supply list in the mail, or if supplies are listed in the course write-up. There are also instances in which RAP provides supplies or where supplies are discussed at the first class meeting. Information on supplies is contained in each course description.
2. I was supposed to receive a supply list for class and it didn’t come in the mail with my ticket. What should I do?
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Your list is mailed separately from your ticket(s) and should arrive about two weeks prior to the start of your course or workshop.
3. I registered less than two weeks before the start of my class; will I be contacted about supplies?
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While we make every attempt to inform even last-minute registrants about supplies, it is recommended that you contact RAP at 202-633-3030 to request this information.
4. Where will my class be held?
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While the majority of courses are held on the Mall in the S. Dillon Ripley Center classrooms, some courses are held at other locations. Check your tickets and/or the Associate course description for this information. If you still have questions, please call 202-633-3030.
5. Can I bring a friend or spouse to class?
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All those wishing to participate in a studio art class or workshop must be registered. You may register on-line or by calling 202-633-3030.
6. Can my teenager participate in a studio arts course?
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Unless specifically described as a class for teens, studio arts classes are designed for participants age 16 and up. We do have unique summer camp experiences specifically for children K-8th grade. Information on our summer camp programming is generally available in the February Associate.
7. I have to miss a session of class; can I attend another section?
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Sorry, but that won't be possible. Classes are specifically structured and they often run at full capacity and at different paces. This makes it impossible to accommodate visitors from other classes. We recommend that you check your schedule carefully before committing to a multiple-session class, to ensure that you are free and able to get the most from your educational experience. If you must miss a class due to your schedule, and have still chosen to enroll, we recommend speaking to your instructor prior to the class session you will miss to see if there is an assignment or supplemental reading that can be done to keep you on schedule. Your instructor will be your best guide in this situation.