“Smithsonian Launches Partnership With Kickstarter – inaugural project will support conservation of Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit”

Mark Avino, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

From a press release:

“The Smithsonian is embarking on a multi-project partnership with Kickstarter, the funding platform for creative projects. The inaugural project will support conservation of Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 spacesuit at the National Air and Space Museum. The funds also will be used to digitize and exhibit the 46-year-old suit.

The campaign start[ed] July 20, the anniversary of the first walk on the moon in 1969.

Kickstarter has enabled more than 88,000 projects to be funded since it began in 2009. Through the Smithsonian’s partnership, a series of crowdfunded projects will launch on Kickstarter throughout the next year. During this pilot year, the focus will be on artifacts, exhibitions and projects that need funding, giving the public a variety of opportunities to support the Smithsonian based on their own interests. Kickstarter adheres to an all-or-nothing method. If the project succeeds in reaching its funding goal, all backers’ credit cards are charged when time expires. If the project falls short, no one is charged.”

Ed. Note: As of 2:30pm on Monday they had already raised $54,571!!