250 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 64 



Publicity relating to the cards was nationwide and the Center received 



approximately $26,000 from their sale. 



(8) Announcement of Center's 'programs. — During the course of 



the year, two programs were announced in which the Center was a 



joint sponsor. 



a. In October, President Kennedy announced the formation 

 of a national company of the Metropolitan, to be presented 

 by the Metropolitan Opera and the Center. The purpose 

 of this company, which will begin its first tour of some 

 35-37 cities in the fall of 1965, is to provide traming and 

 experience for young American singers, and to bring the 

 best in live opera to cities tliroughout the country where 

 little or none has previously existed. 

 &. Plans were also announced for a National University 

 Theatre Festival to be held in Washington, D.C., during 

 a 3-week period in the spring of 1965. Jointly sponsored 

 by the Center, the American Educational Theatre Associa- 

 tion, and the American National Theatre and Academy, 

 the Festival is inviting the participation of the many col- 

 lege and university theatre groups in the country. Or- 

 ganized at the outset on a regional basis, it is expected that 

 some 10 or 12 college groups will be selected to present 

 their outstanding productions to audiences in the Capital. 



ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES 



With the pending eligibility for Government funds, both through 

 our borrowing authority and from Congressional appropriations, the 

 Center has been in close consultation with the offices of the Secretary 

 of the Treasury, the Comptroller General, the Bureau of the Budget, 

 and the Smithsonian Institution. Upon their recommendation and 

 with the unanimous approval of the Board of Trustees, an Adminis- 

 trative Officer, Philip J. Mullin, was appointed who will be respon- 

 sible for the administrative and fiscal management of the Center. 



GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 



Arrangements were made whereby the Public Buildings Service of 

 the General Services Administration will serve as the Center's agent 

 for design and construction, and a contract to this effect is about to be 

 signed. Standard GSA procedures will be followed, including the 

 award of contracts on the basis of competitive bids. 



