Report on the National Portrait Gallery 



Sm : I have the honor to submit the following report on the activities 

 of the National Portrait Gallery for the fiscal year ended June 30, 

 1964: 



The Act of April 27, 1962 (Public Law 87-443) provided for the 

 establishment of the National Portrait Gallery as a bureau of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. As described in the act, the purpose of the 

 Gallery is to "function as a free public museum for the exhibition 

 and study of portraiture and statuary depicting men and women who 

 have made significant contributions to the history, development, and 

 culture of the people of the United States and of the artists who 

 created such portraiture and statuary." 



The Smithsonian Board of Regents at its January 1963 meeting took 

 two important actions : 



(I) Approved the functions of the National Portrait Gallery 

 Commission: 



The National Portrait Gallery Commission shall have the primary functions 

 of promoting the administration, development, and utilization of the National 

 Portrait Gallery, including the acquisition of material of high quality represent- 

 ing men and women who have made significant contributions to the history, 

 development, and culture of the people of the United States and of the artists 

 who created such portraiture and statuary. 



In this connection, the (Commission shall : 



(1) Advise the Secretary on the appointment and compensation of the Direc- 

 tor of the National Portrait Gallery, with the consent of the Board of Regents. 



(2) With the assistance of the Director of the National Portrait Gallery, pre- 

 pare recommended criteria for the acquisition of portraits, statuary, or other 

 items authorized under the Act of April 27, 1962, for presentation to the Board 

 of Regents for adoption. 



(3) Develop proposed rules and regulations for the operation of the National 

 Portrait Gallery. 



(4) Act as a "board of recommendation" for items presented to the National 

 Portrait Gallery, or items proposed to be purchased for the National Portrait 

 Gallery, subject to final approval by the Board of Regents. 



(5) Adopt an oflJcial seal which shall be ofiicially noticed. 



(6) Be responsible for reviewing the proposed program for the development 

 of the National Portrait Gallery, developed by the Director of that Gallery. 



(7) As a group and as individual members, be responsible for encouraging 

 gifts, within the criteria approved by the Board of Regents, of funds, portraits, 

 statuary, and other items which would enhance the value and significance of this 

 important Gallery to the people of the United States in commemorating the men 



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