El Museo del Barrio, like many cultural institutions of its type around the world, was born of the admirable legacy of cultural activism. Thirty years ago, Puerto Rican leaders of East Harlem's El Barrio -- educators, artists, social and political activists -- founded an institution that would preserve and reflect their cultural heritage. The museum's founding values went beyond the usual aesthetic and educational parameters according to which most cultural institutions are established. They included qualities that implied an involvement with the contemporary world and its problems and the aspiration to transform it into a place of justice and equality. Thirty years later, as New York City's only Latino museum dedicated to Puerto Rican, Caribbean and Latin American art, El Museo retains its strong community roots as a place of cultural pride and self-discovery, yet projects itself nationally through exciting exhibitions and programs.

Aside from frequent special exhibitions, the Museum possesses an extremely varied, 8,000-object collection of Caribbean and Latin American art, unique in the Eastern region of the United States. The works range from pre-Columbian vessels to contemporary installations.

El Museo del Barrio is located in the Heckscher Building, 1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street