Caribbean university will lead a professional development initiative to strengthen stewardship of american latino history and culture across puerto rico

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Caribbean University, Inc. $486,200 on September 1, 2026, under the Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture program (CFDA 45.033) to lead a professional development initiative strengthening stewardship of American Latino history and culture across Puerto Rico.

Caribbean University's Museo de Arte will deliver a series of capacity-building workshops focused on core museum practice areas: project management, disaster preparedness and risk management, digital and geospatial technologies for collections stewardship, exhibition development, and tourism strategies. The workshops combine synchronous online instruction, mentoring, and applied project development. An expert consultant in professional training supports delivery.

Four institutions collaborate with Caribbean University as partners: the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company Museum, the University of Puerto Rico Art Museum, and the Pablo Casals Museum. Project results include institution-specific disaster preparedness plans, improved digital documentation systems, project management frameworks, and new exhibition strategies connecting Puerto Rican heritage to broader American narratives.

Performance occurs across San Antonio, Montaña, Aguadilla, and other Puerto Rico locations. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. Caribbean University is a private institution based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, established in 1969.

The museo DE arte caribbean university will engage with an expert consultant in professional training and collaborate with four other museums, the instituto DE cultura puertorriquena, the puerto rico tourism company museum, the university of puerto rico art museum, and the pablo casals museum. Project activities include a series of workshops focused on capacity-building including core areas of museum practice such as project management, disaster preparedness and risk management, digital and geospatial technologies for collections stewardship, exhibition development, and tourism strategies. Workshops will combine synchronous online instruction, mentoring, and applied project development. The project will benefit museum professionals, participating institutions, and the communities they serve while strengthening professional practice across puerto rico's museum sector. Project results include institution-specific disaster preparedness plans, improved digital documentation systems, project management frameworks, and new exhibition strategies connecting puerto rican heritage to broader american narratives.