The Museo del Barrio: Latino and Latin American Art in Your Neighborhood

What do you see in your head when you think of a museum? Do you see big Greek columns? Do you see a grand entrance? Do you see huge spaces? If you think that and see El Museo del Barrio, then you will be disappointed by the architecture. Entering El Museo Del Barrio is just like entering an apartment building at 104th Street and 5th Ave. The museum itself only takes up a small portion of the building. But the artwork inside takes you on a trip throughout Latin America and Latino/a art of the United States. El Museo specializes in exhibiting not only contemporary artists, but also shows the forms that have influenced them by displaying historical pieces.

El Museo boasts a permanent collection of about 8000 pieces, including photographs, paintings, sculptures and prints that represent over 500 years of artistry. Opened in 1969, it is still the only museum completely dedicated to wor of artists of Latin American descent. One of the most important missions of El Museo is to promote and introduce young people to the museum-going experience and to help build an appreciation of work done by their Latino/a forebears. El Museo, along with a new generation of art patrons and viewers, gives recognition to groups of artists who have profoundly transformed the cultural development of North America. As the United States begins to recognize the long history of Latino/as shaping American culture, El Museo del Barrio will continue to contribute to this cultural heritage.

For more information on exhibits, got to www.elmuseo.org or call (212) 831-7272