The Museum Center at 5ive Points, in Cleveland, is invited to join the Smithsonian Affiliations by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. The Museum Center is one of six museums in Tennessee to be invited.
Smithsonian Affiliations, established in 1996, is designed to facilitate a two-way relationship among Smithsonian Affiliates and the Smithsonian to increase discovery and inspire lifelong learning in communities across America. The program establishes long-term relationships with museums to facilitate the loan of Smithsonian artifacts and traveling exhibitions and to develop educational collaborations locally and nationally.
“We are honored by the decision of the Smithsonian to allow our museum to join their program,“ said Curator of Collections Lisa Chastain. “With our exhibition calendar planned out so far in advance, the Museum Center will be able to borrow artifacts and exhibits from the Smithsonian’s collections to supplement our own."
“We are delighted to welcome the Museum Center at 5ive Points into our Smithsonian partnership program,” said Harold A. Closter, director of Smithsonian Affiliations. “We look forward to engaging the Museum Center, sharing resources and educational collaborations which highlight the important work of both of our organizations and developing new avenues of understanding history and culture.”
There are currently 177 Smithsonian Affiliates in 41 states, Puerto Rico and Panama. Affiliates represent the diversity of America’s museum community – size, location and subject – and serve all audiences. Tens of thousands of people have been able to experience the Smithsonian in their communities through Affiliate- sponsored programs including workshops, distance learning programs, lectures, books tours, and performances.
"Our staff has been working diligently to meet the requirements involved with being an affiliate and we are looking forward to taking advantage of all of the resources that the Smithsonian has to offer," said Hassan Najjar, executive director of the Museum Center. “This is certainly a milestone for us and I want to encourage the community to get involved. Become a member of the museum! We need your support to grow and to bring these types of programs and opportunities to Cleveland.”
The Museum Center at 5ive Points tells the story of the Ocoee region through compelling exhibitions and dynamic educational programming that promotes history, culture, and preservation. The museum store features arts, crafts, and books from select artists, craftsman, and authors from within a 200-mile radius. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The museum is closed Sunday, Monday, and on select holidays. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and free for children under five. Members of the museum receive free admission. Group rates are available and the museum’s facilities can be rented year-round for weddings and special events.
For further information call 423 339-5745.