Smithsonian Institution Office of Global Affairs

The Smithsonian Institution is a global organization, working across art, history, culture, science, and education in nearly 150 countries around the world. Whether assisting in the rescue of cultural treasures following a natural disaster or conducting cutting-edge scientific research for biodiversity conservation, our scholars and professionals are engaged throughout the world to explore, care for, and support our global cultural and natural heritage – all in the service of the Smithsonian’s mission: the increase and diffusion of knowledge.

The Smithsonian’s Office of Global Affairs (OGA) serves as the central point for Institution-wide advice, insight, analysis, and coordination of all international activities of the Institution. OGA is the central external representative of international programs for the Institution and leads institutional relationships with US government and international organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, foreign embassies, and other governmental and private organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

With the mandate to build new opportunities to expand our international programs and reach, OGA works in concert with leadership of other museums and programs in setting international strategy for the institution, developing new programs, and communicating our impact. A key focus of OGA is creating greater recognition and a brand for the Smithsonian’s international activities, and in doing so helping to move these types of activities from the margins to the center of critical global debates around cultural heritage conservation, diplomacy, and development.