Nationally recognized Mexican art museum a Chicago treasure

Going through 3,000 years of Mexican culture and immersing oneself in the richness of its art isn’t hard to do in Chicago.

Thanks to the National Museum of Mexican Art.

The Pilsen neighborhood museum is home to one of our country’s largest Mexican art collections and has been offering priceless cultural experiences to visitors since 1982. At no cost at all.

And now, efforts of showing centuries of creativity and connecting visitors to the diversity of Mexican culture are being recognized nationally.

The National Museum of Mexican Art recently was awarded a $3.5 million, four-year unrestricted grant from the Ford Foundation. The grant is among 20 awarded throughout the country and the only one awarded in Illinois.

The grants are part of the America’s Cultural Treasures initiative, which attempts to call attention to and honor our nation’s diversity of artistic expression and excellence. It provides funding to organizations that have made a significant impact on America’s cultural landscape despite limited resources.

Museums and the arts have taken a hit during the pandemic, but we want to remind you that this is not a grant that stems from federal COVID-19 relief. The museum was recognized for the work it’s been putting in for almost 40 years, and there’s much to say for that.

The National Museum of Mexican Art is the only Latino museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Its staff recognizes their unique responsibility to present exhibitions of artistic and cultural value, and deliver high- quality education that demonstrates the depth of Mexican art, culture and history.

If we were to listen only to those who bash immigration from Mexico, documented and not, for base political gain, we might develop a terribly dark and false view of Mexican culture and Mexican American contributions. “They are not our friend, believe me,” President Donald Trump said most famously.

It’s good to see a Chicago institution that is passionate about showcasing the beauty and richness of Mexican culture on both sides of the border. A place where someone from any culture can appreciate the offerings of a neighboring country.

Pound for pound, ounce for ounce, the National Museum of Mexican Art is one of the best in Chicago.