Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN), the leading Spanish-language public media network in the U.S., has congratulated the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (NMPRAC) on earning accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for museums. The distinction places NMPRAC among fewer than 1,100 accredited institutions nationwide, recognizing excellence in governance, collections stewardship, education, financial sustainability, and public service.
The museum becomes only the fourth Latino, Chicano, or Latin American art museum in the country to receive AAM accreditation, joining the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California, and Museo de las Américas in Denver.
“This accreditation is a powerful affirmation of the museum’s commitment to preserving Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage for future generations,” said Michael D. Nieves, President and CEO of HITN and a member of the NMPRAC Board of Directors. “It reflects decades of dedication, vision, and hard work by the museum’s staff and leadership.” Nieves also recognized fellow board members for their commitment.
Billy Ocasio, President and CEO of NMPRAC, said, “We have worked for this moment since our inception 26 years ago, knowing that everything we did would hopefully lead to this historic milestone. This accreditation belongs to the generations of community members who believed Puerto Rican stories deserved a permanent national home.” He noted that the museum has grown from a community effort into a national institution where Puerto Rican art, culture, and history are preserved and celebrated.
HITN and NMPRAC share a longstanding commitment to serving Hispanic communities through educational and cultural initiatives. The accreditation marks a significant milestone for recognizing Puerto Rican contributions to U.S. cultural heritage. HITN, which reaches over 35 million homes via providers like DIRECTV, AT&T TV, and Comcast Xfinity, offers educational programming through its HITN GO app.
The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, located in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, is the first Puerto Rican museum accredited by AAM and the only national museum outside Puerto Rico dedicated to Puerto Rican arts and culture. For more information, visit https://nmprac.org/.
