Mission Statement
The mission of The Mexican Museum is to voice the complexity and richness of Latino art and culture throughout the Americas, and to engage and facilitate dialogue among the broadest public.
Our History
Founded in 1975 by Chicano artist Peter Rodriguez in the Mission District in San Francisco and relocated to the Fort Mason Center in 1982, The Mexican Museum is the oldest museum in the country focusing on Mexican, Mexican American, Latin American, and Chicano art.
The Mexican Museum is a member-supported, private 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that has been awarded major funding from California Cultural and Historical Endowment, City and County of San Francisco, Millennium Partners, and other philanthropic supporters.
The museum is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, which allows the museum to present objects and exhibitions from the Smithsonian Institution, as well as to display artworks from its collection at the Smithsonian Institution on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In 2018, The Mexican Museum closed its longtime galleries at the Fort Mason Center in anticipation of the opening of its new location at the Yerba Buena Gardens Arts District.
Currently, the museum is offering digital art exhibits on its website, as well as a virtual viewing of pieces from its art collection through augmented reality, in partnership with Google Arts and Culture, allowing visitors to experience museum exhibits directly from their mobile devices—which was particularly beneficial during the pandemic. The Mexican Museum has long been championed by San Francisco leaders such as former Mayor Willie Brown, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and numerous local government officials. Governor Newsom displayed 16 art pieces from the Mexican Museum’s collection in the office in the State Capitol.
Today, TMM has a new permanent home at 706 Mission Street, adjacent to the Contemporary Jewish Museum, across from the Museum of the African Diaspora, and near the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
The museum has reached thousands of visitors through its diverse exhibitions, educational programs, and outreach initiatives, creating meaningful connections and fostering a deeper understanding of Latino culture.
During the pandemic, TMM kept its outreach, online exhibits, and virtual arts programming, bringing culture and creativity to home residents, especially children, seniors, and vulnerable populations.
Today, TMM is undergoing a process of reconfiguration that will not only result in an expansion of its galleries, but also in a transformation of its curatorial concepts, reaching communities beyond its building promoting art and dignity.
The soul and spirit of the arts and culture of Mexico and the Americas are fundamentally and inextricably linked.
Our Achievements and Impact
The Museum Collection
The collection comprises over 16,500 artworks; holdings span 2,500 years of history, from pre-Hispanic objects to 21st-century contemporary pieces. As a major repository, TMM actively acquires artwork and donations in all five of its collection areas:
Pre-Hispanic Art: Over 2,000 artifacts offer fine examples of Meso-American and South American collections, including Aztec, Mayan, and Incan civilizations.
Colonial period: Art from the 18th and 19th centuries comprising 1,500 objects.
Popular Art: Represents the largest component of TMM, with over 5,000 pieces.
Mexican and Latin American art: Over 2,500 objects, including paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Mexican masters such as Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayo, Rosa, and Miguel Covarrubias are well represented in the collection. The works on paper collection are historically rich with rare books and archival material.
Mexican American, Chicano, and Latino Contemporary Art: Over 1,000 works of acclaimed artists such as Alejandro Colunga, Enrique Chagoya, Rupert Garcia, Carmen Lomas Garza, Ester Hernandez, Patssi Valdez, Gronk, and hundreds of other emerging and accomplished artists are represented in TMM.
Exhibitions
TMM has presented 130+ exhibits that delve into the rich tapestry of our culture, continually educating and inspiring our visitors. These exhibits have received widespread acclaim for their thoughtful curation and exploration of diverse themes.
Education
Pieces from our collection have traveled through San Francisco schools and libraries, allowing children and families to get a close view of the museum and its permanent collection. TMM has developed a robust array of educational programs catering to students of all ages. From school field trips to interactive workshops, the museum has welcomed thousands of students and their families to learn about the vibrant history, art, and culture of Latinos, contributing to forging an identity with dignity and pride.
Leadership
Board of Trustees
Andrew M. Kluger
Chair
Co Chair Capital Campaign
EasyConnex System
Nora Wagner
Vice Chair
Carlos Camacho Davalos
Treasurer
CEO
Strategic Affairs Group, LLC
Xochitl Castañeda
Secretary
Co Chair Capital Campaign
University of California Berkeley
Honorary
Board
Mario P. Diaz
Irene Christopher
Chair Emeritus
Ex-Officio
Wells Fargo & Company
Co-Chair TMM Founders Circle
Adriana Williams
Author
Co-Chair TMM Founders Circle
Fernanda Partida Ochoa
Collections Project Manager
SFMoMa
Sergio Alcocer
Professor, Universidad Nacional
Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM)
Salvador Briman
Alfredo Pedroza
Wells Fargo & Company
Richard A. Levy
M.D., FACC
Jennifer Mora
University of California, Berkeley
Robert Mc Donald
Bond Latin Gallery
San Francisco
Gemi Jose Gonzalez
Ph.D., International Law and Relationships Consultant
Michael A. Rodriguez
M.D., M.P.H.
Professor, UCLA
Museum Staff
Diane Levy
Genesis Romero Rodriguez
Director of Education
Admin Assistant
Eliza Phelan-Harder
Matthew Lane Mason
Registrar
Builders Society Coordinator
Collections, Operations, and Technical Support Assistant