Smithsonian Institution Information

    In April of 2001, a formal agreement was signed that establishes a long-term affiliate relationship between the Challenger Space Center of Arizona, the Robert McCall Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution. In attendance to witness the event were dignitaries from across Arizona, as well as artist Bob McCall and Mrs. Grace Corrigan, mother of teacher-astronaut Christa Corrigan McAuliffe.

    "We are both proud and honored to be the only Challenger Center in the world to become and affiliate with the Smithsonian," says Sandi Hicks, Executive Director of the Challenger Space Center of Arizona. "We are eager to begin the work to identify and bring the phenomenal art and treasures of the Smithsonian directly to the people of Arizona."

    The affiliation agreements are being signed with both the Challenger Center and the Robert McCall Museum of Art, which will be built as Phase 2 of the Challenger Complex. Housing the artwork of NASA’s official artist, Paradise Valley resident Bob McCall, the Robert McCall Museum of Art will be dedicated to space, space artistry, and contemporary art. Museums across the globe vied for the rights to Mr. McCall’s work, but Peoria and the Challenger Center Complex will be home to this multi-million dollar collection.

    "The chance to showcase the entire collection of the world’s foremost space artist is truly a unique opportunity," says Mayor John Keegan of Peoria. "The fact that the Smithsonian, an organization of great international prestige, has decided to become a partner in the museum demonstrates how special it is, and is also a clear indication of how important this museum will be to Peoria, to the West Valley, and to Arizona."

    These prestigious affiliations are not only of great educational and artistic value, but they are also an economic coup for the West Valley. "Having both the Challenger Center and the McCall Museum as Smithsonian affiliates is an enormous advantage to the West Valley," says Diane McCarthy, President of Westmarc (Western Maricopa Coalition). "This gives us an opportunity to market and highlight space as only the Smithsonian can."

    The initial discussions between the Center and the Smithsonian have focused on the long-term loan of objects relating to aviation, NASA and technology artifacts, and more. In addition, the Center and the McCall Museum are looking forward to obtaining the assistance and expertise of the Smithsonian programming staff in the preparation, planning, and the ultimate installation of exhibits and related educational initiatives.

    The Smithsonian is one of the world’s largest museum systems. Its collections include more than 141 million objects, works of art, and specimens. The Smithsonian umbrella includes 16 museums and galleries, along with the National Zoo. Only two of its museums, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian’s George Gustav Heye Center, are located outside of Washington, D.C. Both of the these institutions are located in New York City.

    It is estimated that only 2 percent of the Smithsonian vast collection is ever on display. As a result, in 1997, the affiliates Program was established to make it possible for other museums to borrow from the collections so that the Institution’s vast repository of treasures would be available to a much wider audience than ever before. There are only 68 other affiliates in the United States.

Starting in January 2002, the CLCA plans to bring our first exhibits direct from the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Stay tuned to this site for more information as it becomes available.