Preserving and Utilizing the Mexic-Arte Museum Collection on the US Mexico Border

FAIN: PB-275262-20

Mexic Arte Museum (Austin, TX 78701-3542)
George Vargas (Project Director: May 2020 to March 2022)

The retention of five jobs, the hiring of a contractor, and stipends for five humanities scholars to catalog and digitize a collection of over 800 recently acquired artworks and reference materials focusing on the U.S./Mexico Border and to develop an online exhibition and educational program using the collection.

Mexic-Arte Museum requests $100,000 to preserve and digitize a recent collection donation of over 800 artworks and reference materials, focusing on the U.S./ Mexico border. We need your support to make this collection available to the general public and to create compelling programs to raise awareness about current issues facing our community. An online exhibition featuring a selection of the works, a series of online virtual humanities programs, and educational tours will be produced to engage and educate the community. The collection concentrates on work made by artists in the El Paso-Juarez U.S. Mexico border region over the last 30 years. Interpreting borderland cultural history, these artists speak to socioeconomic issues. Once catalogued the artwork will inspire dialogue on these pressing current issues. Plans for 2020 came to a standstill due to the pandemic and economic crisis. Support from NEH will make possible this project that warrants immediate attention.

Media Coverage

Collecting the Border (Review)
Author(s): Mary K. Cantrell
Publication: Glasstire
Date: 12/22/2021
Abstract: Article talks about the collection and its importance. The exhibit, organized by the museum’s Executive Director Sylvia Orozco and Curator Dr. George Vargas, offers a personal look into the life of the collector, and thoughtfully outlines themes of his collection around historical events.
URL: https://glasstire.com/2021/05/01/collecting-the-border/http://