El Museo del Barrio was launched in 1969 by artist and educator Raphael Montañez Ortiz, along with a group of Puerto Rican parents, educators, artists, and activists who recognized the lack of representation of Latinx artists in mainstream museums. Since its establishment, El Museo del Barrio has committed to celebrating and supporting Latinx culture, evolving into a vital cultural hub in the El Barrio neighborhood of East Harlem, and a significant resource for New York City. Today, the museum’s permanent collection includes over 8,500 pieces, showcasing more than 800 years of Latin-American, Caribbean, and Latinx art—from pre-Columbian Taíno artifacts to contemporary installations. Patrick Charpenel, El Museo del Barrio’s executive director, said “We are committed to cultivating the next generation of museumgoers, particularly from Caribbean, Latinx, and Latin American backgrounds, ensuring they feel a sense of ownership and connection to their culture.”

In May 2024, El Museo del Barrio received an Arts Endowment grant to support the work of the second edition of Flow States–La Trienal, a global survey of contemporary artwork by Latinx artists. Assembled by chief curator Rodrigo Moura, curator Susanna V. Temkin, and guest curator María Elena Ortiz, the exhibition will feature the work of 33 artists from regions that represent the complexities of diasporic movements across the continental United States and Puerto Rico, and for the first time, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. “Emphasizing plurality and a sense of movement, the exhibition's title, Flow States, borrows from the psychology of creative focus and the fluidity of geographic boundaries and cultural exchanges. As such, the phrase reflects the ever-changing paths of Latinx artistic diasporas that inform the exhibition,” said Charpenel.

We spoke with Charpenel about the organization’s dedication to expanding its reach within diverse communities, a snapshot of the themes and artwork featured in the Flow States–La Trienal, and the importance of Latinx artwork being featured in museums.

NEA: In your own words, what’s the mission of El Museo del Barrio?

PATRICK CHARPENEL: El Museo del Barrio is an institution that has the responsibility to promote and support urgent conversations about Latinx production in the United States and beyond, and we are proud to provide a platform that champions Latinx art and offers institutional support and exposure to these artists to the national and international world.

NEA: Can you provide us with a snapshot of some of the artists and the artwork featured in the exhibition? 

CHARPENEL: Central to the work of the participating artists, Flow States plays on the idea of creative focus and the movement of people, ideas, and cultures across borders. It highlights themes of change, shifting landscapes and environments, spiritual connections, and collective memories. These threads come together against a background of displacements and migrations that continue to transform our local and global ecosystems. Most participating artists will present new work for the first time, and the exhibition will also feature ten projects specially commissioned for the exhibition by artists Hellen Ascoli, Liz Cohen, Tony Cruz Pabón, Koyoltzintli, Mark Menjívar, Carlos Reyes, Ser Serpas, Chaveli Sifre, Cosmo Whyte, and Joe Zaldivar.

Mark Menjívar hosted workshops with community members in both NYC and Texas to create new work as part of his ongoing project La Misma Canción (The Same Song), which considers bird migratory patterns to explore migration and the interconnectedness of the Americas. To complement the project, he will host an artist-led bird walk in Central Park on October 11 and 12.

Koyoltzintli will present the installation Objetos del Futuro, featuring a new multi-channel video work that explores the role of musical instruments and their role in ancestral healing practices.

NEA: What do you hope people take away from viewing the exhibition?

CHARPENEL: Flow States–La Trienal demonstrates El Museo del Barrio’s unwavering commitment to championing Latinx art and amplifying the voices of underrepresented artists. Like many of our exhibitions, it offers an opportunity to explore the work of artists who our visitors may not be familiar with or engage more deeply with those they are.

The role of the 21st-century museum is to dismantle outdated narratives and structures surrounding art and representation. La Trienal presents a unique opportunity to challenge the old canon and open new avenues of visibility. In the past, education and teaching about these perspectives were often invisible, but we are committed to making these ideas and voices visible. We invite our visitors to challenge established narratives and find their own stories mirrored in the powerful works of art that will be on display.

NEA: What do you wish you could more of as an organization?

CHARPENEL: As an organization, we wish we could do more to expand our reach and deepen our engagement with diverse communities, particularly through increased access to our programs and exhibitions. While we do a lot for the community, there’s always more that we can do, and we strive to do so.

NEA: Latinx artists’ visibility matters because…

CHARPENEL: Latinx artists’ visibility matters because there are over 60 million Latinos in the United States, a highly productive community that has made significant contributions to the economy, science, and academia. Despite this, it’s astonishing that Latinx artists still remain underrepresented in museums.

It also matters because it ensures that the rich and diverse cultural experiences of Latinx communities are acknowledged, celebrated, and represented in the broader artistic and cultural narrative. When Latinx artists are visible, their stories, perspectives, and creative expressions challenge stereotypes and contribute to a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of society. This visibility also inspires future generations, empowering Latinx youth to see themselves reflected in the arts and feel that their voices and contributions are valued. Moreover, it fosters cross-cultural understanding, broadening the appreciation of the unique artistic traditions and innovations emerging from Latinx cultures.