Supporting Illinois' Arts Sector

In 1982, Carlos Tortolero organized a group of fellow educators and founded the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, which opened its doors in 1987. The goal was to establish an arts and cultural organization committed to accessibility, education, and social justice. The museum also provided a positive influence for the local Mexican community, especially since many other art institutions did not address Mexican art.

Over the years, the institution has grown, its audience has broadened, and its reach now extends across the United States and beyond. To support this evolution, in 2001, the museum expanded to a 48,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Pilsen and in 2006 unveiled its new name, the National Museum of Mexican Art.

On September 25th, the museum will unveil Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos, an exhibition reflecting on four decades of the museum's commitment to preserving and celebrating Mexican art and culture through traditions like Day of the Dead. Visitors will also enjoy art installations by young artists from Yollocalli Arts Reach and a community ofrenda for visitors to engage with. Additionally, the 12th annual Día de Muertos: Love Never Dies Ball will offer an evening of culinary delights and live music on November 7, providing a vibrant celebration of life and remembrance.

"Día de Muertos is a special time of year for the National Museum of Mexican Art," shares Jose Ochóa, the museum's President & CEO. "The desire to remember loved ones who have passed is universal, and this year we are honored to mount our 40th annual Day of the Dead exhibition." Barbara Engelskirchen, the Chief Development Officer, adds, "Every year, NMMA incorporates art by Illinois artists into its Día de Muertos exhibitions. I’m excited for our visitors to see what our talented artists and curators have in store for us this year!" These events underscore the museum's dedication to community engagement and cultural preservation.

Ruben Quesada is a poet, translator, and editor. He edited the pioneering anthology Latinx Poetics: Essays on the Art of Poetry, which received the Gold Medal from the Independent Publisher Book Awards. His poetry collections, including "Revelations," "Next Extinct Mammal," and "Brutal Companion," have garnered widespread critical acclaim. His writing and criticism have been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times Magazine, Best American Poetry, Guernica, Seneca Review, and Harvard Review. Ruben is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Guild Literary Complex in Chicago.

Ruben's most recent writing project, JANE, reimagines the Latin American Legend of La Segua through the character of a flight attendant named Jane. Originating from early 16th-century archives and manuscripts, the legend of La Segua revolves around an Indigenous woman betrayed by a lover and doomed to roam the streets. She emerges at night, her face shrouded in darkness, symbolizing a cautionary tale against racial mixing between Indigenous people and Spanish colonizers. This story resonates with the contemporary Latin American context, where disparities between lighter and darker-skinned individuals still exist. 

The FY25 Creative Accelerator Fund played a crucial role in completing this manuscript by providing essential support for professional development, manuscript promotion, and community outreach, including workshops and poetry readings. Reflecting on the grant’s impact, Ruben says, "Receiving this grant has not only revitalized a historical myth through poetic storytelling but has also ensured that narratives of migration and resilience resonate within our communities, creating a lasting cultural impact."