A $12 million donation from Oprah Winfrey to the Smithsonian Institution continues to support public discussions about African American history and culture in the nation’s capital. The Smithsonian Institution announced the donation in June 2013. Along with an earlier gift of $1 million made in 2007, Winfrey’s total contribution reached $13 million. To recognize her support, the Smithsonian named the building’s 350-seat performance space the Oprah Winfrey Theater.
The money supported fundraising for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This made her the largest individual donor to the museum during its development. Located below ground, the theater hosts live performances, academic talks, film screenings and public debates in Washington, DC.
Winfrey’s generosity at this important time,” Bunch said in the Smithsonian statement. ” Wayne Clough, who was Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution during the fundraising campaign, said Winfrey’s support matched the theater’s cultural purpose. “At its heart, the National Museum of African American History and Culture is a showcase for a richer, fuller picture of the American experience,” Clough said in the 2013 release. Events held at the theater, including the “Historically Speaking” symposium series, explore topics such as building the museum’s collections, preserving historical records, civil rights history and modern cultural research.
Lonnie G. Bunch III, the museum’s founding director, spoke about the wider educational value of Winfrey’s donation. “We are inspired and profoundly grateful for Ms. “Her gifts will forever be associated with harnessing the power of art and creative expression to build bridges between cultures and enrich people’s lives. Programming at the Oprah Winfrey Theater will mirror the museum’s commitment to use African American history and culture as a lens to see what it means to be an American and to help all Americans remember. “The Oprah Winfrey Theater will bring untold stories alive through films, live performances, artistic expression and public dialogue. Through live presentations and digital broadcasts from the stage, the theater continues to serve its original purpose as a national platform for African American voices and perspectives.