Latino Initiatives Pool

The Latino Initiatives Pool is a federal fund managed by the American Latino Museum (NMAL) to provide financial support to Smithsonian units for research, exhibitions, collections and archives, conservation, public and educational programs, and academic and professional development programs. These projects must further the understanding and appreciation of Latino contributions in the areas of science, history, art, and culture. Acting on the recommendations of a review panel, NMAL directs funds to programs and projects which demonstrate the greatest public impact and represent and highlight the U.S. Latino experience.

Since 1995 over 400 Smithsonian programs and projects have received Latino Initiatives Pool support totaling over $20 million. The following are some projects that received funding:

  • Conservation of Judith F. Baca's Uprising of the Mujeres - treatment of mural panels by Chicana artist Judy Baca. (Lunder Conservation Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum)
  • DISEÑO - public program series that focuses on design and Latino Identity and hosts a series of workshops and lectures with celebrated artists, designers, and community leaders. (Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum)
  • ¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues / En los barrios y las grandes ligas - collecting initiative and bilingual exhibition that partnered with 35 community collaborators across 14 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico resulting in over 150 new acquisitions organizations across the country highlighting the impact of baseball in the Latino community. (National Museum of American History)
  • Taíno: Native Heritage and Identity in the Caribbean | Taíno: herencia e identidad indígena en el Caribe – exhibit that explores explore the rural roots of the Taíno movement and find information about the legacy of Native peoples throughout the Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands and their U.S. diasporas. (National Museum of the American Indian)
  • UCSB - Smithsonian Scholars Program - academic program led by the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to engage diverse students in experiential learning centered on multi-disciplinary conservation strategies, biodiversity research, and green careers in STEM. (National Zoological Park)

​​​​​​​Interested Smithsonian staff should visit the American Latino Museum intranet accessible via PRISM.