smithsonian latino art collections - Smithsonian Latino Center

loans to museums nationally. Funding and staffing beyond the Latino Initiatives Pool required a plan for
fundraising to be developed by the Office of Membership of Development and the Office of the Provost.
With the April 1997 recommendations of the planning group for a central Latino presence at the
Institution, the concept for the establishment of a Latino Center was submitted to the Board of Regents
for consideration in May 1997. In a letter addressed to Secretary Heyman, Board of Regents member
Manuel Ibañez let known his view of the concept of the center as one “conducting research, creating
museum exhibits, underscoring our role in American history, our music, our art, and our literature is the
view I have of how the Smithsonian might erase the ‘neglect’ of past decades.” He added, “You will
recall that I have suggested an electronic Hispanic-Smithsonian on the Internet, as well as the possibility
of bricks and mortar in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago, Miami and or New York City....” 75
In its May 4-5, 1997 meeting, the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents passed a motion and
voted to authorize the establishment of the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives under the
supervision of the Provost and with exhibit venues to be possibly found at the International Gallery of
the S. Dillon Ripley Center and in one of the halls of the Arts and Industries Building. As voted upon, “the
Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives is dedicated to the generation of new knowledge based on the
collections resources of the Smithsonian Institution, its unique research environment and its tradition of
public scholarship, and to the diffusion of knowledge in the multiple and varied formats available to the
Smithsonian, to the end that American history and culture may be understood and displayed in all its
diversity.” 76
As approved by the Regents, the Center had three objectives “to coordinate and provide
linkages among Smithsonian-Latino related initiatives in the areas of research, exhibitions and
educational outreach; [to] undertake research in the fields relating to Latino studies, especially
pertaining to Smithsonian collections; and, [to] provide a point of access for external constituencies,
especially the national Latino community, and the Smithsonian Institutions and its units.” 77 In addition,
Secretary Heyman also recommended “the establishment of an Advisory Board of not more than 20
members, consistent with the Regents’ Guidelines for Smithsonian advisory boards. This Advisory Board
will meet at least once a year and provide a vital link to Latino community and scholarly issues and to
the corporate and philanthropic worlds.” 78
Five months after, the Smithsonian Institution Latino Oversight Committee issued its final report
Towards a Shared Vision: U.S. Latinos and the Smithsonian Institution on October 15, 1997 prepared for
Secretary Heyman. It provided a “compelling vision of the Smithsonian Institution when it is truly ‘the
nation’s place,’ representing and reflecting the changing American kaleidoscope in its collections,
exhibitions, research, and public programs, and in its governance, management, employees, visitors and
volunteers” 79 to be achieved by the year 2010. The Oversight committee report followed the model of a
blueprint or road map for the realization of success measures to achieve a wider Latino presence in an
all-inclusive Smithsonian that would reflect the central role of the U.S. Latino experience. The
Committee’s vision was framed within ideas of “equity, inclusion, representation and opportunity,” 80
75 Regents’ Minutes, May 5, 1997, p. 65-66. Smithsonian Latino Center Archives.
76 Regents’ Minutes, May 5, 1997, p. 60-66. Smithsonian Latino Center Archives.
77 Ibid., Programatic Report by the Provost, 1997, pp. 61-62 in Memo to Director and Staff, Latino Center from
Miguel Bretos, November 16, 1999. Copy of Memorandum given to author by Miguel Bretos.
78 Ibid, p. 64.
79 Foreword, Letter from the Committee, Towards a Shared Vision: U.S. Latinos and the Smithsonian Institution,
Final Report of the Latino Oversight Committee. Smithsonian Institution, October 15, 1997, p. 5-6.
80 Ibid., p. 11.
21