The museum of latin american art (molaa) will advance collection scholarship through a rigorous scholarly research program that examines the narratives within the museum's permanent collection,…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Museum of Latin American Art $998,089 on September 1, 2026, under the Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture program (CFDA 45.033) to advance collection scholarship through a rigorous scholarly research program examining narratives within the museum's permanent collection.

MOLAA will engage up to six paid research fellows in a structured program of scholarly research, mentorship, and professional development focused on selected artworks, archival materials, acquisition histories, and cultural texts. The museum will expand the fellowship program by incorporating independent curators and establishing a collaborative network of partner museums to advance research and knowledge sharing across institutions. Deliverables include a scholarly catalogue, a video series of recorded conversations with artists, and a public symposium synthesizing three years of research by the fellows. MOLAA will extend access to these resources through shared online platforms connecting collections and research across participating museums.

The award period runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029, with place of performance in Long Beach, California. The Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture program supports projects that build the capacity of American Latino history and culture museums to serve their communities and advance the growth and development of a professional workforce in American Latino cultural institutions.

The museum of latin american art (molaa) will advance collection scholarship through a rigorous scholarly research program that examines the narratives within the museum's permanent collection, through a close study of selected artworks, archival materials, acquisition histories, and cultural texts. Project activities include engaging up to six paid research fellows who will participate in a structured program of scholarly research, mentorship, and professional development. Molaa will expand the fellowship program by incorporating independent curators and establishing a collaborative network of partner museums to advance research and knowledge sharing across institutions. The project will extend access to these resources through shared online platforms that connect collections and research across participating museums and will support the creation of a scholarly catalogue, a video series of recorded conversations with artists, and a public symposium synthesizing the three years of research by the fellows. Through paid research fellowships, institutional partnerships, and expanded digital access to collections, molaa will generate new scholarship, strengthen professional pathways into the museum field, and increase public engagement with american latino art and cultural heritage.