El Museo del Barrio

Founded by artist and educator Raphael Montañez Ortiz, El Museo del Barrio began as a community call for a school curriculum that included Puerto Rican art, history, folklore, and culture. This educational program eventually flowered into a full-scale museum in Harlem dedicated to Latin American and Caribbean art. Today the museum houses more than 8,500 objects, including pre-Columbian artifacts, traditional art, and modern and contemporary works. El Museo del Barrio is also an active participant in neighborhood culture, including the yearly Three Kings Day parade, as well as various festivals and educational initiatives.