CBS 2 Chicago wbbm7801059 670 The Score

Local

Someone You Should Know: Mexican Art Museum Founder

Send Your Ideas To Harry

Carlos Tortolero is the founder of the National Museum of Mexican Art. (CBS)

Carlos Tortolero is the founder of the National Museum of Mexican Art. (CBS)

Harry Porterfield

Reporting Harry Porterfield

Don't Miss This
Don't Miss This
 Someone You Should Know: Mexican Art Museum Founder

This is among the works on display at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. (CBS)

CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago is home to the National Museum of Mexican Art, which has a worldwide reputation for its amazing collection.

The founder, Carlos Tortolero, is someone you should know, CBS 2’s Harry Porterfield reports.

In the 25 years of its existence, the museum has become the largest Latino cultural institution in the United States.

“I saw the fact that this culture was not being included, how rich the Mexican culture is,” Tortolero tells Porterfield. “This is a void that I thought had to be filled in the city of Chicago.”

During the year-long observance of its silver anniversary, which kicks off this weekend, the museum will celebrate its status as the home of one of the nation’s largest collections of Mexican art.

It occupies 48,000 square feet. Within its four galleries are displays that represent the nearly 7,000 pieces in its permanent collection. The performing arts can find a home in its auditorium, while visitors can find souvenirs in its gift shop.

Since the museum opened in 1987, its reputation has mushroomed to a world-wide dimension. Now, people from more than 60 countries visit here.

“To have an art museum in a working class community tells everybody that the arts are for everybody,” Tortolero says.

To learn more about the museum, click here.

Listen Live!

RSS Most Popular News

Follow CBS Chicago

Like us on foursquare

RSS Contests & Promotions

WBBM Newsradio 780, Radio Stations & Broadcast Companies, Chicago, IL

Twitter Updates