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.


Lindsay Amini, Director of Cultural Programs | (202) 939-5582 | lamini@meridian.org

Staff

NameTitle  
Lindsay AminiDirector of Cultural Programs
Nakeeya GarlandCultural Programs Associate
Terry K. HarveyVice President, Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy
Athena HsiehCultural Programs Officer
Tamara KatzmanCultural Programs Associate
Kara ZelaskoAssociate Cultural Programs Officer

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