Refund Policy

1. Smithsonian Adventures

   No refunds will be given for Smithsonian Adventures unless Smithsonian Associates is unable to deliver the program once the weekly session has begun. Smithsonian Summer Adventures are nontransferable. There are no partial refunds for participants who do not complete, or who partially participate during the week.

2. Online Programs - All Smithsonian online programs, study tours, and studio art classes, except for Smithsonian Adventures

   If you wish to cancel or exchange tickets for any ticket order costing more than $40, please contact Customer Service via email at least two weeks before the program date to request a credit. Please note that there is a $10 cancellation fee, as well as a cost adjustment when there is a price difference if you are applying your credit to another program.

   Important note: Cancelling your program in the Zoom personal link that you received will not entitle you to a Smithsonian Associates credit or refund, unless you also notified Customer Service via email about the cancellation at least two weeks prior to the program start date.

Terms and Conditions

Smithsonian Associates will issue refunds only in cases when a program is canceled or if it is filled before we receive your order.

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.

Customer Ticket Cancellations

1. Lectures, Seminars, Performances, Films, Studio Arts, One-day Study Tours Refund Policy

   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 cancellation fee. 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.

2. Courses Refund Policy

   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, if 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 cancellation fee. THIS REFUND POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO STUDIO ARTS CLASSES.

3. 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.

4. Overnight Study Tours Refund Policy

   To receive credit for an overnight tour, please contact Customer Service in writing at least 45 days before the tour date. At that point, there is a $10 cancellation fee. If your request is received between 45 and 15 days before the tour, cancellation fee is $100. No credit will be issued for cancellations received fewer than 15 days before the tour date.

   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

5. Can I Donate my Tickets?

   If you are unable to use the ticket(s) you have purchased for a Smithsonian Associates 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.

   Tickets returned for an event that has already occurred will not be considered as a donation (no exceptions).

6. What are the policies for sold-out activities?

   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.

7. What are the policies for Summer Camp Refunds?

   A 75% refund will be issued if a request is received by email 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.

8. What are the policies for Art Collectors Refunds?

   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.

   Inspect your artwork when you receive it. We recommend that you frame your art as soon as possible on acid free mounting and acid free mats to help maintain its integrity.