The workshop series, entitled “New Technologies in the Contemporary Museum,” will address the following topics: modern museum activities such as research, exhibition, care and development of collections; educational outreach; governance and funding with an emphasis on project-based funding; and information technologies and their application in museums.

The speakers will also present examples of “heritage projects” or integrated curatorial programs that combine new technologies with museum activities.

The visiting specialists are Dr. Carole M.P. Neves, Director of Policy and Analysis of the Smithsonian Institution, Dr, Paul Michael Taylor, Director of the Museum of Natural History's Asian Cultural History Program, and Curator of Asian, European, and Middle Eastern Ethnology, and William Bradford Smith, Smithsonian Office of the Chief Information Officer.

The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities and magazines.

While most of its 19 museums, zoo, and nine research centers facilities are located in Washington, D.C., there are also sites in New York City, Virginia, and Panama. It has over 136 million items in its collections, publishes two magazines named Smithsonian (monthly) and Air & Space (bimonthly), and employs the Smithsonian Police to protect visitors, staff, and the property of the museums. The Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum complex in the world.