Today the Austin American-Statesman published a story on Proyecto Mosaico. There’s a group in Austin that wants to bring a National Museum of the American Latino to Austin. Would that be a good fit for Austin? The group that is advocating for the museum seems to think so! Luckily, I have insider’s knowledge. Our friends at Hahn, Texas are working on the project along with a very impressive leadership committee. You may also be wondering why Austin? We’re not San Antonio, Chicago or L.A. Well, I went right to the source and asked. Here’s the information I gathered on Proyecto Mosaico.
There’s a group in Austin on a mission to locate the potential National Museum of the American Latino in Austin, Texas.
The Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino (National Museum) was signed into law (Public Law 110-229 [S.2739]) in 2008. The Commission members are tasked with studying the feasibility of creating this museum in the nation’s capital, but the National Mall is physically full.
The National Museum would provide a home for the historical artifacts, images and personal stories documenting over 500 years of American Latino contributions to the United States and it would serve as an educational tool for the thousands of anticipated visitors and instill a sense of pride in the Latino community today and in the future.
The big question is why Austin, Texas?
Nearly one in five U.S. Latinos lives in Texas—more than 8.5 million people. Eight of the nation’s top 25 counties for Latino population are in Texas, with each having more than 300,000 Latino residents; and Travis County, where Austin is located, is one of those counties. Austin is the capital of Texas and lies just west of the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas Trail, the “Crossroads of Cultures” and is on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Highway.
Austin and the Hill Country draw visitors from around the globe to its natural, cultural and lifestyle landmarks like the State Capitol, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Blanton Museum of Art, Texas Memorial Museum, Barton Springs, Highland Lakes, SXSW, ACL Festival and many others. Austin also is a globally recognized center of scholarship, innovation and creativity with the University of Texas and it’s renowned Teresa Lozano Long Institute Latin American Studies program, the Mexican American Cultural Center, Mexic-Arte Museum, among others. And, Austin has a wonderfully blended Latino culture and demographic—a complete Latino mosaic.
Several influential leaders and academics have committed to participate in the National Museum recruitment effort.
- The Honorable Mike Martinez, Austin Mayor Pro Tem (Chair)
- Dr. Francisco de la Teja: Texas State University (Co-Chair)
- Dr. Jose Limon: University of Texas (Co-Chair)
- Robert Hicks Navarro: Camino Real
- Andy Martinez: Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber
- Anna Sanchez: Wells Fargo Bank
- Luis Patino: Univision-Austin
- Patty Gonzales: Public Affairs Director – Hahn, Texas