FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN LATINO LAUNCHES 11th ANNUAL DESIGN CONTEST WITH A CALL FOR ENTRIES
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Home / In the Press / FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN LATINO LAUNCHES 11th ANNUAL DESIGN CONTEST WITH A CALL FOR ENTRIES
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends of the American Latino Museum (FRIENDS) today announced its 11th Annual Design Contest with a call for artists to submit their best work that depicts and celebrates Latino history and culture in the United States. This year’s design contest theme is “Build it on the National Mall.” The top 10 designs will advance to a national round where the public can vote on their favorite design. As in previous years, the submission with the most votes will be deemed the winner and receive a $500 gift card. In addition, their artwork will appear across the many digital and in-person platforms of the FRIENDS campaign, including posters and promotional materials throughout the remainder of the year.
“It is a great honor to have provided artists over the past decade an opportunity to share their vision of the future National Museum of the American Latino through art,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President and CEO of FRIENDS. “Artistic expression is something that leaves a lasting impression in our country’s collective hearts, minds and history. Our nation’s Latino and Latina artists have been telling the authentic story of our community for hundreds of years. We must honor them and lift up the next generation. It is my hope that our Design Contest will help spotlight the next great Latino artist and one day their work will be displayed in our future museum on the National Mall for the world to see.”
“There are so many undiscovered talents that we hope to bring forth into the spotlight through this competition. Latino artists and their artwork have been, historically, left out of Smithsonian museums, according to a 1994 report called ‘Willful Neglect,’ which is what spurred the movement to create a National Latino Museum. Until we build a National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall, it is our duty to continue to highlight those who are bringing together their talent, creativity and culture to elevate our voices and impact to this great nation,” said Lili Gil Valletta, Board Chair of FRIENDS and President & CEO of Cien+.
Presented with the generous support of Target and AARP, the 11th Annual Design Contest celebrates the Latino community’s rich heritage and talent, inviting artists to share their vision of what American Latino history means to them.
“As Chief Diversity Officer, I am immensely proud to sponsor the American Latino Design Contest this year. AARP’s commitment to inclusion started with our founding in 1958 and we continuously work to become a model DEI organization. The level of passion the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino brings to their work on the National Mall is admirable and something AARP strives to emulate,” stated Edna Kane Williams, Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at AARP.
Previous winners have included Latino painters, designers, and illustrators from coast to coast and everywhere in between who represent the full diversity of American Latinos in the US.
The deadline for artists to submit their designs is April 28, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Public voting begins on our Facebook page from May 2, 2022, through May 4, 2022. The winning artist and design will be announced on Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 2022.