El Museo Latino

El Museo Latino is a museum featuring Latino and Hispanic art and history that is located at 4701 South 25 Street in South Omaha, Nebraska. Established in 1993, it is the first Latino art & history museum & cultural center in the Midwest, and is one of only eleven Latino museums in the United States.

History

El Museo Latino opened in the Livestock Exchange Building in 1993, and in 1997 moved to its present brick and red tile roof building, an 1887 schoolhouse that was formerly the Old Polish Home.

About

El Museo Latino features exhibits about Latino and Hispanic art and history. Educational programs for kindergarten through twelfth grade, post-secondary, and adult audiences at the museum include lectures, slide presentations, films, art classes, workshops, demonstrations, art history classes, gallery talks, guided visits, and dance classes. Additionally, El Museo Latino is a resource center for Latino studies in the Midwest. Museum highlights have included an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution organized by actor Edward James Olmos [Rooney, P. [http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article.php?id=248 "Latin Omaha: El Museo Latino... 12 years old and just getting started,"] "Omaha City Weekly." Retrieved 8/31/07.] , along with works by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. [ [http://www.nebraskaartscouncil.org/index_html?page=content/NEWS/Archives/content/NEWS/Archives/ElMuseoSpotlight.htm "El Museo Latino: The Diego Rivera Exhibition and other Highlights"] , Nebraska Arts Council. Retrieved 8/31/07.] Photographer David Bacon [ [http://www.unomaha.edu/news/releases/2005/04/12_ollas.php "UNO, El Museo Latino to Host Photo Exhibition by David Bacon"] University of Nebraska. Retrieved 8/31/07.] and painter Terry Rosenberg [ [http://www.cityofomaha.org/Terry%20Rosenberg%20Exhibitions%20Press%20Release.pdf "Press release"] City of Omaha. Retrieved 8/31/07.] have also been featured.

El Museo Latino organizes special events highlighting Cinco de Mayo, including an annual almuerzo, or brunch. Hispanic Heritage Month in September features a banquet. During the year, Family Day celebrations are also scheduled as well as special dance performances by the museum's dance company, "CHOMARI" Ballet Folklorico Mexicano, and by visiting artists. [ [http://www.elmuseolatino.org/history.html "History"] El Museo Latino. Retrieved 8/31/07.] The museum also coordinates an annual celebration for El Día de Muertos, including a festival, special exhibits and cultural celebrations. [Harrison, J. [http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article.php?id=326 "Graceful Dead: Living Honor the Departed in Upcoming, Hybrid Holiday,"] "Omaha City Weekly." Retrieved 8/31/07.]

The museum's founder and Executive Director is Magdalena A. García, who has won several local and regional awards for her work organizing El Museo Latino. [ [http://www.unoalumni.org/news/current_releases/GarciaW06.asp "El Museo Latino’s García to receive UNO Alumni Citation"] University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association. Retrieved 8/31/07.]

ee also

* Mexicans in Omaha, Nebraska

References