Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy
Meridian has employed the visual and performing arts to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives in 59 countries since 1978. Meridian formally created the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy (MCCD) in 2014 to better address this mission. MCCD’s exhibitions have traveled to over 380 host venues in 44 U.S. states and 57 countries. Programs organized by Meridian’s cultural experts serve as focal points for people-to-people exchanges, panel discussions, lectures, film screenings, concerts, and more.
MCCD employs a unique approach to culture that engages audiences through public-private partnerships, educational initiatives and community outreach. We offer many services in this arena — these include: working with embassies and ministries of worldwide cultures to tell their stories to Americans; assisting corporations interested in deepening their footprint in other countries; and collaborating with the U.S. government to provide content that doubly showcases American heritage and highlights our country’s investments in cultural diplomacy.
Ambassador Stuart Holliday and Chinese Vice Minister of Culture, Madame Zhao Shaohua, sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Meridian and the China International Culture Association.
U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Afghan Second Vice President Karim Khalili, and Minister of Information and Culture Sayed Makhdoom Raheen admire photos at the opening of In Small Things Remembered in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday September 08, 2011. (Barat Ali Batoor/Department of State)
From left: Dr. Curtis Sandberg, the Executive Director of MCCD; Ambassador Wayne, American Embassy Kabul; and Ambassador Marc Grossman, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at Meridian’s opening of In Small Things Remembered in Washington, D.C. Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian
Oksana Mas, Sphere of Good and of Spiritual Renaissance, 2010 Fiberglass, epoxy, metallic structure, and hand-painted wooden eggs, Courtesy of the artist
The Crown Prince of Denmark and The Crown Princess of Denmark visit The Wild Swans: Original Artworks by Her Majesty Queen of Denmark. Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian
Chen Zhiguang, Ants, 2008, Stainless steel. Courtesy of the National Art Museum of China. Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian
MCCD staff provides educational tours of exhibitions for local schools.
Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukan (left) joins a panel discussion on cross-cultural relations between the United States and Mexico. Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian
A professional choir kicks off a jazz competition in Minsk, Belarus, where Jam Session is hosted.
A video highlighting Meridian’s Jam Session exhibition is displayed on the façade of the U.S. Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Photograph by Alison Batwin
Grammy award-winning jazz musician, Esperanza Spalding, performs at Meridian for an event celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month and the world tour of Meridian’s Jam Session exhibition. Photograph by Joyce N. Boghosian
Staff
Services
- CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Curating thoughtful exhibitions and presentations that spotlight a specific region or country. Displays of this kind can debut at Meridian’s Cafritz Galleries in Washington, D.C., and travel around the United States and the world.
- PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES: Designing and implementing people-to-people exchanges in the cultural arena. These programs can connect international artists, musicians, museum professionals, and other leaders to engage with their American counterparts.
- INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM CAPACITY BUILDING: Creating tailored training programs that enhance the core strengths of cultural institutions abroad by sharing professional knowledge and universal museum standards. Through Meridian’s Center for International Museum Development, these programs inform others about showcasing their heritage in a thoughtful and accessible fashion while also deepening relations with the U.S.
- NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS: Organizing and hosting cultural events at Meridian’s historic mansions in Washington, D.C. These festivities feature a country’s cultural offerings while celebrating its heritage through displays, performances, and culinary presentations.
Gallery
Meridian’s Cafritz Galleries are located at 1624 Crescent Place, NW, Washington, DC 20009
When an exhibition is on display, the gallery hours are as follows:
Wednesday – Friday, 2pm-7pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
Closed on Federal Holidays
