Policies and Practices on the Use of Federal and Private Funds, National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art's policies governing the use of federal and private funds are based on federal legislation and a trust agreement which together established the National Gallery of Art. Although formally established as a bureau of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery functions as an autonomous and separately administered organization. Federal funds are committed for operation, administration, and maintenance of the Gallery and, under the Mellon Trust, surplus trust income is available for extraordinary upkeep and operating expenses to the extent that federal funds are unavilable. Private trust funds are used for building construction costs, compensation of certain executive officers, acquisitions of works of art, and free concerts.