Now entering its 43rd year, The Smithsonian Associates continues to present quality educational programs that are culturally diverse for audiences in theWashington metro area. I hope you enjoyed many of this past year’s outstanding programs, from best-selling author David Baldacci and astrophysicist Mario Livio to Italian American celebrity chefs Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, as much as I did.

Every year we bring renowned scholars, celebrated personalities, and thinkers who share with you their innovative ideas and celebrated scholarship!

We take you from the ordinary to the extraordinary as you visit the Northern Ireland estate of Lord and Lady Dunleath; enjoy a ten-course Taiwanese dinner with Master Chef Chi-San Lee; tour Ireland, Bangkok, and Costa Rica; relax with Steve Martin and Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert; discover history’s most intriguing characters such as King Tut, Abraham Lincoln, and Jane Austen; or savor the musical delights of singer-songwriter Marta Gomez, the Emerson String Quartet, and other glorious sounds from around the globe.

Beyond the extensive array of educational opportunities we provide for adults, we also create unique learning opportunities each year for thousands of school children through interaction with Smithsonian scholars and artists through our Scholars in the Schools program, Discovery Theater, and Smithsonian Summer Camp programs.

I wish I could say that membership and ticket sales cover all of our expenses, but with rising costs to produce these extraordinary programs, it takes more to meet the financial demands. It is for this reason I am writing to you.

You have been a valuable member and so I ask you to do even more.

Please consider a tax-deductible donation of $100, or $1,000, or whatever you might like to give, to help us meet the challenges ahead. Your tax-deductible gift will go directly to The Smithsonian Associates to support its programs, including:

• Resident Associate Program—an impressive array of educational and cultural programs, including, in 2008, a cluster of programs on China to complement our wide range of core programming in the performing arts, literature, science, history, religion, philosophy, art history, and studio arts.
• Discovery Theater—live theater performances for children in the Washington, D.C., area.
• Scholars in the Schools—in-school educational programs featuring Smithsonianselected scholars.

Please make your tax-deductible donation today by completing and returning the enclosed reply envelope, calling 202-633-3030, or visiting our secure Web site, ResidentAssociates.org/support.

With your gift to The Smithsonian Associates, you will enjoy a variety of special benefits listed on this page. Our request to you is separate from the Smithsonian Contributing Membership Program. Your gift to The Smithsonian Associates is used only to support TSA programming.

I wish you a wonderful and safe holiday season and look forward to many occasions to visit with you at our programs in 2008.

Sincerely,

Barbara S. Tuceling
Director
The Smithsonian Associates

P.S.  As an expression of our gratitude for your gift of $250 or more, you will be invited to a variety of special events and a private reception in 2007.