Cuban born Margarita Agullar has been named as the new director of Museo del Barrio. Her appointment becomes effective in September. Aguilar served in the curatorial department at El Museo from 1998 to 2006, and is currently Vice President and Senior Specialist in Latin American art for Christie’s.
Through her accomplishments at El Museo and at Christie’s, Ms. Aguilar enjoys extensive knowledge of Latino and Latin American art. She is a leading voice in that field. Aguilar was selected following an international search, and replaces Julian Zugazagoitia, who is now Director of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri.
El Museo del Barrio is the leading and most comprehensive Latino cultural institution in the country. It welcomes 250,000 visitors annually, to discover the artistic landscape of Latino, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures. The diversity and richness of these cultures are represented in El Museo’s critically acclaimed exhibitions and collections, as well as wide-ranging film, literary, visual and performing arts series, cultural celebrations, educational programs, website and traveling exhibitions. Each year El Museo serves 11,000 students and teachers in more than 250 schools in the tri-state area. In addition, 90,000 children and adults participate in its Family Programs, Cultural Celebrations, and popular public programs. A dynamic artistic and community gathering place, El Museo is a center of cultural pride on New York’s Museum Mile. For additional information, go to www.elmuseo.org.