Take the First Look at the Upcoming National Museum of The American Latino (Unpublished)

Planning for the National Museum of the American Latino is finally ready to get going.

In late December of last year, Congress approved the legislation to start the process of creating a national museum for Latinos. Act H.R. 2420, was a part of a bi-partisan effort for a $900 Billion Covid-19 relief bill passed last year. The act was originally introduced by, former democratic representative of New York, Jose E. Serrano back in 2019. The museum would be established within the Smithsonian Institution.

As the act describes, the purposes of the museum are to...

1. Illuminate Latino contributions to the story of the United States.
2. Provide for the collection, study, research, publication, and establishment of exhibitions and programs related to Latino life, art, history, and culture.
3. Provide for collaboration with Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers and other museums and educational institutions in the United States and abroad to promote the study and appreciation of Latino life, art, history, culture, and their impact on society in the United States.

CBS Mornings were the first to get in contact with the organizers and leaders spear-heading the project to build the museum.

Eduardo Diaz is the director of the museum.

He has been working with the Smithsonian, since 2008, as the director for their Latino Center. From 1981 to 1999, Eduardo served as the director of Cultural Affairs for the City of San Antonio. He knows a thing or two on how to curate a space of culture. He and sixteen other curators are going help create the museum.

The first installation will be the Molina Family Latino Gallery.

It will be a 4,500 square foot exhibition space that is expected to open next year. The five children of Dr. C. David Molina contributed $10 million to the installation. They are heirs/heiresses to the Molina Healthcare company, one of America's largest primary care contractors. 

Many notable Latinos spanning different industries have signed on to be a part of the funding and culture within the museum. Notable people like Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Sofia Vergara and Eva Longoria.

Eduardo Diaz explained to CBS Mornings' Ed O'Keefe, 

I think we need to disabuse viewers of the notion that somehow this is 'for, by and about us', right? It's for everyone.

The National Museum of the American Latino is looking to be open by next year.

What do you want to see displayed in the museum? Tell us in the comment section and stay tuned for more news at classixphilly.com.

I'm excited to see anything Celina Cruz related.