WE ARE: The Smithsonian Latino Center
Mission and Vision

Mission

The Smithsonian Latino Center is dedicated to ensure 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 educational opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution and its affiliated organizations across the United States.

 

 

Vision

"The Latino presence in the Americas is centuries old, culturally rich, and demographically vast and growing....  The Center is established so that American history and culture may be displayed in all of its diversity."

-The Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents, establishing the Smithsonian Latino Center in 1997.

 

A CENTER FOR THE ENTIRE SMITHSONIAN

By managing the Latino Initiatives Pool we are able to direct federal funds to other Smithsonian units and museums to further their work in promoting and showcasing Latino arts and culture. Since 1995 this pool has funded over 300 projects across the Institution, providing close to $20 million for exhibitions, public programs, research, publications, fellowships and internships.

 

WHAT WE DO

 

We celebrate Latino culture, spirit, and achievement in America.
We develop and manage educational programs, products, and outreach.
We promote public awareness of Latino programs at the Smithsonian's museums and affiliates across the United States.
We support cultural, historical, and scientific projects across the Institution representing significant Latino achievement through funding and technical assistance.

HOW WE DO IT

Education and public programming are the cornerstones of what we do. Throughout the year students, adults, and families are treated to a myriad of opportunities to engage in and learn about Latino life and culture. Our programs and services include:

• Young Ambassadors Program
• Latino Museum Studies Program
• Latino Virtual Museum and Gallery>
• Exhibitions
• Bilingual School Tours of Smithsonian Exhibits
• Concerts, Films, Guest Lectures, Panel Discussions
• School and Family Day Programming
• Community Outreach and Engagement

Technology plays a key role in our programs and services. The Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum (LVM) provides an immersive online educational experience to our visitors. Whether you are helping to build an altar for Day of the Dead or attending a poetry reading in a virtual world, you will see and experience Latino art and culture in a whole new light.

Overview of the Center

 

Created in 1997, the Smithsonian Latino Center works pan-institutionally with the entire network of Smithsonian museums, research centers, programs and almost 200 affiliates nationwide to ensure that Latino culture, achievement and contributions are celebrated and recognized. The Smithsonian Latino Center ensures that Latino contributions to the arts, sciences, and humanities are highlighted, understood, and advanced through the development and support of public programs, research, museum collections, and educational opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution.