smithsonian latino art collections - Smithsonian Latino Center

the homogenizing term Hispanics throughout and conflated citizens of the various countries with U.S.
populations of Hispanic descent. It advocated for a public-private partnership for possible initiatives
such as cultural tourism development projects with the World Bank Group (International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development - IBRD) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB);
conferences, seminars and workshops on Hispanic cultural and economic development issues with the
Organization of American States and the United States Agency for Development (USAID) and others as
well as the Smithsonian participation in the “1994 Summit of Hemispheric Presidents” [Summit of the
Americas in Miami]; the development of a SI Associates Program in Latin America with a monthly
magazine and public and educational programs; international technical assistance to cultural
organizations in Latin America; local mentoring programs for state, county and city cultural councils,
agencies and Hispanic groups “to promote the adaptive re-use of buildings for community centers and
display of artifacts;” 52 the establishment of the “Institute of the Americas” in collaboration with the
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; an inventory of museum collections in the Americas
and Europe to be used to identify objects for display in the U.S. and Latin America and with the
sponsorship of ‘U.S. corporate interests;’ an international consortium of museums with Hispanic
collections to coordinate new exhibitions; and support for the planned National Museum of the
American Indian and the cultures of the border region. 53
However, the Smithsonian Institution Task Force on Latino Issues, after meeting as a group 17
times since April 1993, released its report three months after The Americas Endeavor preliminary
guidelines. The Task Force’s report entitled Willful Neglect: The Smithsonian Institution and U.S. Latinos
released on May 10, 1994 days before Secretary Adams was to step down, found the Institution to
“display a pattern of willful neglect towards the estimated 25 million Latinos in the United States.” 54
Moreover, the Task Force identified as a missed opportunity the lack of transformation of the
Quincentenary Program into a “permanent and sustained Latino presence at the Institution…[adding
that] no permanent, effective Hispanic programming emerged.” 55
In the letter of transmittal accompanying the report, the Task Force reiterated its own
responsibility as to “systematically analyze employment and recruitment patterns and statistics at the
Smithsonian with regard to Latinos, inventory existing programs focusing on Latino issues, provide
recommendations for change within the Smithsonian and oversee the implementation of
recommendations.” 56 In addition, it summarized its findings and stated: “The Smithsonian Institution
almost entirely excludes and ignores the Latino population of the United States. This lack of inclusion is
glaringly obvious in the lack of a single museum facility focusing on Latino or Latin American art, culture,
or history; the near-absence of permanent Latino exhibitions or programming; the very small number of
Latino staff, and a minimal number in curatorial or managerial positions; and the almost total lack of
Latino representation in the governance structure.” It added, “It is difficult for the Task Force to
understand how such a consistent pattern of Latino exclusion from the work of the Smithsonian could
have occurred without willful neglect.” 57
The Task Force made recommendations for the creation of an oversight board to implement its
conclusions within the following year and “to make Latino initiatives a permanent part of the Institution,
52 Ibid, p. 6-7.
53 Ibid.
54 Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Institution Task Force on Latino Issues. “Willfull Neglect: The Smithsonian
Institution and U.S. Latinos.” Report. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, May 1994, p. ii
55 Ibid
56 Letter to Secretary Adams and Undersecretary Newman, May 10, 1994. Included in report. Smithsonian
Institution Archives, Record Unit 95-073, Box 1, Folder: Willful Neglect: The Smithsonian Institution ans U.S.
Latinos, 1994.
57 Ibid.
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