Grant to support an exhibition of its Latin American and Folk Art Collections
Texas Border Business
McAllen, TX— The National Endowment for the Arts is awarding the International Museum of Art & Science a $10,000 grant to support an exhibition of its Mexican and Latin American Folk Art Collection.
“The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to the arts, whether they are in a small or large, rural or urban area,” said NEA Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “We are proud to support organizations such as the International Museum of Art & Science that are providing opportunities for more people to experience and engage in the arts in their communities.”
President & Executive Director states, “Thanks to this generous NEA award, the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) will be able to begin working on the display its largest permanent collection comprised of Mexican and Latin American Folk Art. The project aligns with the intent of the invitation by NEA because knowledge of the populations’ cultural heritage is directly linked to community and economic development of the region. Currently, more than 70,000 primarily Hispanic visitors visit the IMAS annually. Approximately 30,000 of these visitors are children. Among these children, 13,000 attend the museum through the museum’s school tour program which is aligned with the Texas Essentials Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. Many of these public-school children are not provided art education classes until the 8th grade. On one recent visit, only three out of forty students had ever been to a museum before. Since our region consists of more than 88% Hispanic population, we believe exposing our permanent collection of Mexican and Latin American Folk Art comprised of more than 4,000 objects will help educate, preserve, inspire and cultivate a deeper appreciation for local cultural heritage.”
The IMAS, formerly known as the McAllen International Museum, is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit cultural arts organization. Founded by the Junior League of McAllen and several other community leaders in 1967 to enrich the quality of life and cultural opportunities available to the community, the IMAS was developed to serve the Lower Rio Grande Valley with consistent effort in education and communication through a series of exhibits and programs pertaining to the arts and sciences. It is accredited by the American Association of Museums, a professional distinction held by fewer than 10% of all U.S. museums. Currently, the museum has more than 50,000 square feet of exhibit space and 51 years providing educational cultural arts and science programs. The Smithsonian Institution of Washington D.C. recognized the Museum for its quality and commitment to the people of the Valley making it the 21st participant in the Smithsonian’s prestigious Affiliations Program. This affiliation provides a long-term relationship between the two institutions, allowing the national treasures of the Smithsonian to be shared with the Museum and the people of the region.
