Mia Lopez Appointed as McNay Art Museum’s First Curator of Latinx Art

Introducing Mia Lopez: The McNay’s Inaugural Curator of Latinx Art

On October 2, 2023, the McNay Art Museum celebrated the arrival of Mia Lopez as their first-ever curator of Latinx art. Lopez, an expert in collaborating with contemporary artists, is poised to play a pivotal role in various curatorial facets, fostering cross-departmental cooperation to enrich the McNay’s representation of Latinx artists. Her primary focus will be on acquisitions and programming to extend the reach and influence of Latinx art throughout the museum.

Elevating Representation at McNay: A Vision for Inclusivity

Matthew McLendon, the director of the McNay, envisions the museum as “San Antonio’s place of belonging.” He believes that Mia Lopez and her new role will transform this vision into a tangible reality. They aim to create an environment where visitors can engage with and appreciate visual arts while emphasizing diversity.

Meet Mia Lopez: A Distinguished Background

Mia Lopez is a distinguished graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, holding multiple master’s degrees in Modern and Contemporary Art History, Theory and Criticism, as well as Arts Administration and Policy. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Rice University. With a wealth of experience, she has offered her expertise in contemporary art, arts administration, and Latinx art to esteemed institutions like the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum (Chicago), Independent Curators International (New York), Weisman Art Museum (Minneapolis), and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (Minneapolis). Lopez has held curatorial positions at the DePaul Art Museum (Chicago) and the Walker Art Center (Minneapolis). She has also contributed to publications by DePaul Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, the Walker Art Center, Prospect New Orleans, and Arte Público Press.

Among Lopez’s curated or co-curated exhibitions are the upcoming online exhibition “The Backroom” at Museo Tamayo (Mexico City/Online, 2023), “LatinXAmerican” at DePaul Art Museum (Chicago, 2021), and “Remember Where You Are” at DePaul Art Museum (Chicago, 2019-2020).

A Commitment to Growth and Diversity

Mia Lopez has actively participated in esteemed programs such as the Association of Art Museum Curators Mentorship Program (2020-21), the Independent Curators International Curatorial Intensive (2018), the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Leadership Institute (2016), and the Smithsonian Institution Latino Museum Studies Program (2012). Her passion for storytelling through art and her dedication to amplifying the work of artists and creatives are evident in her commitment to McNay.

Funding the Future of Art at McNay

This newly created position is made possible through the Leadership in Art Museums (LAM) initiative, which will support it until 2028. LAM is a partnership between the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Ford Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and Pilot House Philanthropy, focusing on advancing racial equity in leadership roles within museums, including curators, conservators, collections managers, community engagement staff, educators, and other senior leaders.

In LAM’s announcement, Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives and lived experiences within the arts. This initiative seeks to grow and invest in diverse leadership within U.S. art museums to ensure their continued excellence and relevance.

McNay’s Unique Achievement

Notably, the McNay is the only museum in Texas to have received this award from LAM. Other museums that have received the award include the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens (Jacksonville, Florida), MASS MoCA (North Adams, Massachusetts), Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles), Peabody Essex Museum (Salem, Massachusetts), and the Pérez Art Museum (Miami).

Welcoming Mia Lopez to the McNay Team

René Paul Barilleaux, the head of curatorial affairs at the McNay, expressed his gratitude for Mia Lopez’s addition to the team and acknowledged the vital support from LAM. He anticipates that Lopez’s presence will significantly enhance the McNay’s curatorial team while bringing fresh expertise and perspective to their already outstanding group of curators.

About McNay Art Museum

The McNay Art Museum’s mission is to engage a diverse community in the discovery and appreciation of the visual arts. Founded in the 1920s by artist and educator Marion Koogler McNay, the Spanish Colonial Revival residence transformed into Texas’ first modern art museum when it opened in 1954. Today, the museum attracts over 200,000 visitors annually to enjoy works by modern masters like Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Joan Mitchell, Alice Neel, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The museum’s beautifully landscaped 25-acre grounds feature sculptures by renowned artists, making it a must-visit destination.

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