Latinx Initiative

DePaul Art Museum’s new Latinx Initiative formalizes the museum’s ongoing efforts toward fostering Latinx representation and participation in museum exhibitions, collections, and public programs. A multi-year research inquiry focused on artists of Latin American heritage living and working in the United States, the Latinx Initiative will include curatorial research and exhibitions, as well as collection- and community-building and cultivating opportunities for university engagement.

“The goal is to change art history, to make sure that the range of artists and experiences in the United States are adequately represented in our collection and exhibitions,” said Julie Rodrigues Widholm, the museum’s Director and Chief Curator. “We want to expand not just representation, but participation so that everyone feels empowered to be a contributor to contemporary culture.”

While the demographics of the United States are changing, the works shown on museum walls have stayed mostly the same. Nearly one-third of Chicago’s population is Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and Latinx artists have been largely absent in modern and contemporary art museums in the United States.

The Latinx Initiative exemplifies DePaul Art Museum’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. DePaul Art Museum staff have already begun research by attending Latinx Art Sessions at the Pérez Art Museum Miami and presenting at Latino Art Now in Houston. Future efforts include local and national studio visits and curatorial exchanges, research and writing on Latinx works in the museum’s collection, and facilitating community conversations.

For more information about the Latinx Initiative, click here.