SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- The Mexican Museum, the premier West Coast museum of Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano, Latin American and Latino art, culture and heritage, announces that it is embarking on a unique partnership with Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (National Autonomous University of Mexico) (UNAM) in Mexico City that will, among other things, bring Mexican artists in residence to San Francisco.

Andrew Kluger, chairman of The Mexican Museum’s Board of Directors, recently met with UNAM officials on his visit to Mexico on behalf of the Museum. These officials included Juliet Ojeda Gomez, counselor to the UNAM rector; Dr. Gloria Soberon Chavez, director general of programming new ventures; and Juan Manuel Romero Ortega, director and counselor for all university innovation and new venture projects. Included in the discussions was a proposal that would establish a new visiting artist-in-residence program in conjunction with The Mexican Museum.

“Our initial vision for this pioneering program involves bringing Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico artists to our Museum over the next year,” said Kluger. “Each artist would participate in a five-day program that will include participating in guest lectures and classes, doing workshops with children, and mentoring gifted young San Francisco artists. In addition, UNAM is going to share their educational materials about the arts and culture of Mexico with supporters and friends of The Mexican Museum community.”

Sandra Acevedo Hanns, who has been appointed Chairperson by Kluger to head this important project, stated “This innovative and meaningful collaboration between The Mexican Museum and Mexico’s largest public university represents an important alliance. The Mexican Museum will serve as a focal point in introducing stronger cultural ties between our two nations.”

In addition, a series of exhibitions featuring pieces from both The Mexican Museum and UNAM is in the planning stages. These special exhibitions will allow for important works to be shared and exchanged between the two organizations as temporary exhibits. The Museum and UNAM will also collaborate in identifying notable professional and new artists and sculptors and invite them to showcase their work at The Mexican Museum.