Who financially supports the Smithsonian museum?
You and I do.
Is The Smithsonian Part of the Government?
The Smithsonian is a Trust Instrumentality of the United States. The Board of Regents is the governing body and consists of the Chief Justice of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, three members of the United States Senate, three members of the United States House of Representatives, and nine citizens. The Smithsonian receives an annual Congressional appropriation that accounts for approximately 2/3 of our total budget.
Are Smithsonian Federal Employees the Same as Employees at a Regular Federal Agency?
Generally, yes. Smithsonian federal employees are regular civil service employees. The Smithsonian does not have political appointees.