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The Smithsonian Latino Center
An Educational Outreach and Research Center of the Smithsonian Institution focused on ensuring that Latino contributions to art, science, and the humanities are highlighted, understood and advanced through the development and support of public programs, scholarly research, museum collections and its affiliated organizations across the United States.
Background
The Smithsonian Institution is a trust instrumentality of the United States founded in 1846 in response to the will of Englishman James Smithson who bequeathed the whole of his property to the United States of America “to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an Establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” In the 160+ years since that time the Smithsonian has grown to include 19 museums, the National Zoological Park, and 9 research centers located in Washington, DC and its metropolitan area, New York City, Cambridge, MA, Fort Pierce, FL, and Panama. The Smithsonian employs approximately 6,900 staff, has over 137 million collection objects, and in 2006, hosted over 23 million visitors at its core museum locations and over 150 million visitors to its public websites.
In 1997, the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents established the Smithsonian Latino Center (the “SLC”), a pan-institutional unit that works with the entire network of Smithsonian museums, research centers, the National Zoo and over 140 affiliates nationwide to foster understanding and appreciation of contributions made by Latinos to history, society and culture.
SLC promotes the inclusion of Latino contributions in Smithsonian programs, exhibitions, collections and public outreach. It does this in three principal ways:
- It funds cultural, historical and scientific projects across the Smithsonian that represents significant Latino achievement.
- It develops and manages educational programs, products and outreach.
- It promotes public awareness of Latino programs at the Smithsonian museums and its affiliates across the United States.
Capital Gallery,600 Maryland Ave. SW, Suite 7042 MRC 512, Washington D.C. 20024.ph: 202.633.1240/ fax: 202.633.1132
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