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The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino has named its founding director, with industry veteran Jorge Zamanillo set to take up the role in May
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 09 Feb 2022
The Smithsonian has named Jorge Zamanillo as the founding director of its National Museum of the American Latino.
A museum veteran, Zamanillo is currently executive director and CEO of HistoryMiami Museum. He will take up his new role on May 2.
Joining HistoryMiami in 2000 as curator of object collections, Zamanillo held a number of positions, including deputy director, vice president of expansion projects and senior curator before taking up his current position, which he has held for more than five years.
Zamanillo has also held a number of roles with museum associations, including an ongoing stint as treasurer and board member at the American Alliance of Museums and as president of the Florida Association of Museums.
The National Museum of the American Latino was established by US Congress in December 2020 as part of a US$900bn (€734bn, £666bn) COVID relief package.
This package, which was primarily created to offer financial aid to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, will also see the creation of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the aforementioned National Museum of the American Latino. They will be the first Smithsonian museums to open since the National Museum of African American History, which was granted congressional approval in 2003 but didn’t open until 2016.
“The Latino experience is American history, and I want to make sure our story will be preserved for future generations,” said Zamanillo.
“This museum will celebrate Latino accomplishments and resiliency through powerful stories that capture the adversity faced over centuries by Latinos in the US and their perseverance to move forward and create a legacy.”
Since the legislation passed, the Smithsonian has named a board of trustees and commenced the site-selection process, conducting a site survey to identify a location on or near the National Mall for the new museum.
A congressional report from 2011 estimated that a 310,000sq ft (28,800sq m) Latino museum could cost US$600m (€490m, £444m). Federal funding will account for half of the museums’ funds, while the other half will come from private donations.
Eduardo Díaz, director of the Smithsonian’s Latino Center, has served as interim director of the upcoming museum while leading the development of the Molina Family Latino Gallery - the museum’s inaugural exhibition.
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