CHICAGO, June 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
The National Museum of Mexican Art today
announced it has received an unrestricted donation of $8 million from advocate and philanthropist
MacKenzie Scott and her husband
Dan Jewett. This is the largest
single gift in the Museum's 39-year history.
The couple donated $2.74 billion
to 286 organizations their charity team identified as
equity-oriented, non-profit teams working in areas that have been
neglected.
"Arts and cultural institutions can strengthen communities by
transforming spaces, fostering empathy, reflecting community
identity, advancing economic mobility, improving academic outcomes,
lowering crime rates, and improving mental health," Ms. Scott said
in a blog post on the gifts, "so we evaluated smaller arts
organizations creating these benefits with artists and audiences
from culturally rich regions and identity groups that donors often
overlook."
"This generous gift will have a lasting and transformative
impact on our organization and the community we serve," said
Carlos Tortolero, Founder and
President of the National Museum of Mexican Art. "Thank you to Ms.
Scott and Mr. Jewett for honoring our work and that of the artists
whose vision and voices we seek to amplify in Chicago, the US, and throughout the
world."
"Art can soothe and can disrupt, but we especially see how art
initiates conversations, reveals shared experiences, and fosters
understanding," said Carlos
Cardenas, Chair, Board of Trustees, National Museum of
Mexican Art. "This gift will allow us to expand our commitment to
providing exceptional visual and performing arts programs, arts
education, and professional development."
Ms. Scott's blog post noted: "Generosity is generative. Sharing
makes more. A favorite verse by Rumi captures this well:
'A candle as it diminishes explains,
Gathering more and more is not the way.
Burn, become light and heat and help. Melt.'"
The National Museum of Mexican Art will reopen to the public
Thursday, July 1, 2021, having
temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the National Museum of Mexican
Art
Located in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, the National
Museum of Mexican Art is one of the most prominent Latino cultural
organizations in the country and the only nationally accredited
museum dedicated to Mexican art and culture. In 2020, the Museum
earned the honor of being named one of America's Cultural
Treasures by the Ford Foundation.
The National Museum of Mexican Art strengthens artistic and
cultural diversity in Chicago
while illuminating the rich art and history of Mexico. Its Permanent Collection consists of
more than 11,000 pieces dating from 200 BCE to the present day. The
Museum has presented over 150 exhibitions, provides arts education
to 52,000 students each year, and serves over 187,000 annual
visitors from 60 countries. Admission is always free. The
Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. To learn more, please call 312-738-1503 or visit
www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.
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SOURCE National Museum of Mexican Art