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Membership Policy FAQ
1. Is membership tax-deductible?
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All or a portion of The Smithsonian Associates membership payment is taxdeductible as a charitable contribution to the Smithsonian Institution. If you have a membership that does not include Smithsonian magazine, your entire membership payment is deductible. If you have a membership that includes Smithsonian magazine, subtracting $36 from the total membership payment will reflect the tax-deductible amount. For more information, please call our Membership Specialists at 202-633-3030 or send an e-mail to CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
2. I am a National Associate Member and just moved to the D.C. area. How do I become a member of The Smithsonian Associates?
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When you join The Smithsonian Associates, you pay the full year's membership amount. Your remaining National Membership fees are used to extend The Smithsonian Associates Membership on a pro-rated basis.
Please contact customer service at 202-633-3030 (voice) or send an e-mail to CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org for more information.
3. When can I expect to receive my first Smithsonian magazine and the Associate after signing up for membership? (show/hide answer)
It takes six to eight weeks for you to receive your first Smithsonian magazine and four to six weeks for the Associate.
4. How long does it take to get my membership card after purchasing a membership?
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You will receive your membership package which includes your membership card and other pertinent information in ten working days.
5. How do I change my address?
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You can change your address online by visiting the My Account section. You may also write us with your new address (please allow 6 weeks for the change to take effect).
6. How do I give a gift membership?
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At this time, we are not selling gift memberships through our website. The easiest way to purchase a gift membership is to call 202-633-3030 and speak to a customer service representative. Your gift recipient will receive notification of your generosity in approximately two weeks from the time we receive your order.
Registration Tips, Tickets, and Policies FAQ
The Smithsonian Institution reserves the right to cancel, substitute individual
speakers and/or session topics within a course, reschedule or relocate any
course or event because of insufficient enrollments, unanticipated scheduling
conflicts or emergency situations.
The Smithsonian Institution also reserves the right
to refuse to register any individual or to require any participant to withdraw
from an activity at any time when such action is determined by the Smithsonian
staff to be in the best interests of the health,
safety, or general welfare of the entire group or the participant.
Please note that tickets purchased within 10 business days of an event's start date will not be mailed and will be held at Will Call at the event location.
1. How can I purchase tickets? (show/hide information)
Online: Tickets may be ordered online after logging in. Your membership level will determine how many member
rate tickets you can order. If you are not a member or have not registered on our website, you will need to do so to
submit an order. As you place tickets in the shopping cart, your tickets will be locked/reserved for you
up to approximately 20 minutes. If you do not complete your order by then, the tickets will be released
and you will have to add them again in order to complete a purchase. An online receipt page will be
displayed upon completion. You will also be sent a confirming email.
By Phone: Please call 202-633-3030 (voice), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, to register with your Discover Card, VISA, American Express or MasterCard. Please have the activity code numbers or activity dates and times available.
By Fax: Please fax your order to 202-786-2034 to register with your Discover Card, VISA,
American Express or MasterCard. Please include activity code numbers, dates,
times, and the number of each type of ticket you desire.
By Mail: The Smithsonian Associates
P.O. Box 23293
Washington, D.C. 20026-3293
Include activity code numbers, dates, times, and the number of each type of ticket
you desire. Payment may be submitted by Discover Card, VISA, American Express,
MasterCard, or personal check.
At the Door: Tickets are available (on a first-come, first-served basis) at the door of some programs. Call 202-633-3030 for availability.
2. How do I use a promotion code discount? (show/hide answer)
To receive a promotion code discount for an event, enter the promotion code when you login to the website. If the promotion code is still valid, it will display a promotion price on the event description page.
3. What happens if an event is sold out? (show/hide answer)
If an activity is sold out before we receive your mailed-in reservation, (a) you will not be charged if you paid by credit card. However, if you
sent a check, Smithsonian accounting procedures require that it be cashed.
A full refund by Smithsonian check is automatically processed. (b) your
name is placed on a notification list for the filled event. If a vacancy
occurs, people on this list are notified in order of receipt of their application.
If a filled event is later rescheduled, applicants on the notification list
receive a mailing prior to any announcement in the Associate.
4. How are event changes in published schedules handled? (show/hide answer)
Occasionally we must change the time, date, or location of a program after an announcement has been published or tickets have been mailed. We notify participants by phone or mail. Call 202-633-3030 during business hours for information.
5. What is the photography/filming policy? (show/hide answer)
Participants at The Smithsonian Associates programs may be photographed or filmed for the educational and promotional purposes of the Smithsonian Institution and The Smithsonian Associates. Filming and/or photographing by participants at TSA programs is not permitted.
6. What are the ticketing fees? (show/hide answer)
There is a $3.00 per order handling fee on phone orders. There is no per order handling fee for online orders. There is a $1.50 per ticket processing fee on all tickets, except for Members-Only free events, Summer Camps, Smithsonian Sleepovers, and Discovery Theater performances.
Refund Policy FAQ
THE SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES DOES NOT ISSUE REFUNDS except in cases when a program is canceled or if it is filled
before we receive your order.
Lectures, Seminars, Performances, Films, Studio Arts, One-day Study Tours Refund Policy:
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In some circumstances, purchasers may receive a credit to their
account, but credits are not issued for tickets to any type of program
that has a Smithsonian Associates' member price of less than $40.
If the member price for a program is more than $40, please contact
customer service in writing at least two weeks before the program
date to request a credit. (See email, mail, and fax contact information
above.) Please note that there is a $10 processing fee.
The Smithsonian Associates office 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.
The Smithsonian Institution reserves the right to cancel, substitute
speakers and session topics within a course, and reschedule or
relocate any program because of insufficient enrollment, scheduling
conflicts, or emergencies. The Institution also reserves the right to
refuse to register any individual or to require any participant to
withdraw from an activity if the Smithsonian staff representative
deems such action to be in the best interests of the health, safety,
or welfare of the group or the participant.
Courses Refund Policy:
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To receive credit for a course, please contact Customer
Service in writing at least two weeks before the first session. Credit
will also be issued within two weekdays after the first session,
provided that Customer Service is contacted within that period.
(Credit will be prorated to reflect the cost of the first session. No
credit will be given after the start of the second session.) Please
note that there is a $10 processing fee. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO STUDIO ARTS CLASSES.
The Smithsonian Associates office 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.
The Smithsonian Institution reserves the right to cancel, substitute
speakers and session topics within a course, and reschedule or
relocate any program because of insufficient enrollment, scheduling
conflicts, or emergencies. The Institution also reserves the right to
refuse to register any individual or to require any participant to
withdraw from an activity if the Smithsonian staff representative
deems such action to be in the best interests of the health, safety,
or welfare of the group or the participant.
Overnight Study Tours Refund Policy:
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To receive credit for an overnight
tour, please contact Customer Service in writing at least 45 days
before the tour date. If your request is received between 45 and
15 days before the tour, there is a $100 cancellation fee. No credit
will be issued for cancellations received fewer than 15 days before
the tour date.
The Smithsonian Associates office 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.
The Smithsonian Institution reserves the right to cancel, substitute
speakers and session topics within a course, and reschedule or
relocate any program because of insufficient enrollment, scheduling
conflicts, or emergencies. The Institution also reserves the right to
refuse to register any individual or to require any participant to
withdraw from an activity if the Smithsonian staff representative
deems such action to be in the best interests of the health, safety,
or welfare of the group or the participant.
Donating Tickets:
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If you are unable to use the ticket(s) you have purchased for a Smithsonian Associates (TSA) program or class, you may release them to The Smithsonian Associates Box Office and receive a letter of donation within three weeks. Ticketing and service fees paid may not be used as a donation. There is no service charge for returning unused tickets as a donation.
Please note that tickets returned for an event that has already occurred will not be considered as a donation (no exceptions).
What are the TSA policies for sold-out activities?
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If an activity is sold out before we receive your mailed-in reservation, (a) you will not be charged if you paid by credit card. However, if you sent a check, Smithsonian accounting procedures require that it be cashed. A full refund by Smithsonian check is automatically processed. (b) your name is placed on a notification list for the filled event. If a vacancy occurs, people on this list are notified in order of receipt of their application. If a filled event is later rescheduled, applicants on the notification list receive a mailing prior to any announcement in the Associate.
What are the TSA policies for Summer Camp Refunds?
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A 75% refund will be issued if a request is received in writing (by email, fax, or U.S. Mail) at least four weeks before the start of the camp(s) for which you are registered. No refunds or changes will be made thereafter. Camps are nontransferable. No refunds by phone.
What are the TSA policies for Art Collectors Refunds?
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If, for any reason, you are not pleased with your purchase you may return it, undamaged, within 15 days of receipt for a refund of the full purchase price. All Certificates of Authenticity must be returned along with the art.
In the unlikely event that an item is damaged due to shipping, contact us at 202-633-8680 or email Artcollectors@si.edu within 5 days of receipt to make arrangements for replacement.
Please inspect your purchase when you receive it. We suggest that you frame the print as soon as possible on acid free mounting and acid free mats to maintain the integrity of the print.
Visitors with Disabilities FAQ
1. What are the TSA capabilities for handicapped access?
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The Smithsonian Associates seeks to
make activities accessible to people with disabilities.
Patrons with disabilities are encouraged to call before
registering for programs to inquire about the
accessibility of the presentations and locations. For
information or to request accessibility assistance,
please call 202-633-3030 (voice) or send an e-mail to
CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org
2. What are the TSA capabilities for interpreters?
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Interpreters for The Smithsonian Associates programs and
special events are provided free of charge. The
Smithsonian Associates will make the arrangements
through the Smithsonian Accessibility Program if
requests for interpreters are made at least two weeks
in advance of the program.