The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN) has congratulated the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (NMPRAC) on earning accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for museums in the United States. This distinction places NMPRAC among fewer than 1,100 museums nationwide that meet rigorous standards in governance, collections stewardship, education, financial sustainability, and public service.
With this accreditation, NMPRAC becomes only the fourth museum dedicated to Latino, Chicano, or Latin American art in the country to receive this honor, joining the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California, and the Museo de las Américas in Denver. This achievement underscores the museum's role in preserving, studying, and promoting Puerto Rican arts and culture for future generations.
Michael D. Nieves, President and CEO of HITN and a member of the NMPRAC Board of Directors, emphasized the significance of the accreditation: "This accreditation is a powerful affirmation of the museum's commitment to preserving Puerto Rico's rich cultural heritage for future generations. It reflects decades of dedication, vision, and hard work by the museum's staff and leadership." Nieves also acknowledged his fellow board members for their unwavering commitment.
Billy Ocasio, President and CEO of NMPRAC, reflected on the journey to this milestone: "We have worked for this moment since our inception 26 years ago, knowing that everything we did would hopefully lead to this historic milestone. This accreditation belongs to the generations of community members who believed Puerto Rican stories deserved a permanent national home." He added, "What began as a community's determination to hold space and tell its own story has grown into a national institution where our art, our culture, and our history are preserved, celebrated, and passed on."
The accreditation is a landmark for both the museum and the broader Hispanic community, as it recognizes the contributions of Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic groups to the cultural fabric of the United States. HITN and NMPRAC share a longstanding commitment to serving Hispanic communities through educational and cultural initiatives that preserve heritage and elevate Latino voices.
NMPRAC, located in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, is housed in the historic Humboldt Park Stables and is the only national museum outside of Puerto Rico dedicated to interpreting Puerto Rican arts and culture. For more information about the museum, visit https://nmprac.org.
