Thursday, April 28, 2011

Should We Have a National Latino Museum?

New York Times: Room for Debate:

A federal commission will soon issue a report to Congress on whether to create a new national Latino museum as part of the Smithsonian Institution.

The idea for a Latino museum was born in the mid-1990s when a panel appointed by the Smithsonian found that its exhibitions virtually ignored Latino contributions to American art, culture and science.

Federal money for the museum does not appear to be an option, as it was for the National Museum of the American Indian and the museum of African-American history, which will begin construction next year. But in tough economic times, it's hard for the private sector to finance and sustain new and even old museums.

Is creating more culturally specific museums a good idea? Do ethnic museums face particular challenges in maintaining a wide audience and financial support?


Join the conversation here.

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