Smithsonian to House Latino Museum in Existing Building on the National Mall

The Smithsonian, the largest museum institution in the United States, has taken a decisive step toward creating its future museum dedicated to Latino American art and culture. Its board of trustees voted on August 31, 2026, in favor of installing the new museum in the Arts and Industries Building, located on the National Mall in Washington. This choice rules out the option of building a new structure on land owned by the National Park Service, also on the Mall, which had been considered earlier.

The Arts and Industries Building, constructed in the late 19th century, is one of the Smithsonian's oldest. It has hosted numerous temporary exhibitions in recent years but is now largely vacant due to necessary renovations. This decision will reduce costs and delays compared to new construction while preserving an iconic national heritage structure. The future museum, whose creation was approved by Congress in 2020, aims to highlight the contributions of Latino American communities to U.S. history and culture.

This decision ends years of debate over the museum's location. Proponents of new construction argued that a dedicated building would be more visible and better suited to the needs of a major national museum. However, budget constraints and the desire to repurpose a historic building ultimately prevailed. The Smithsonian plans to launch a fundraising campaign for the renovation and adaptation of the spaces, with costs estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Latino museum will join the constellation of Smithsonian museums, which already includes institutions dedicated to African Americans, Native Americans, and other communities. Its creation responds to a long-standing demand from the Latino community, which represents nearly 20% of the U.S. population. Construction is expected to begin after feasibility studies are completed, with an opening hoped for by the end of the decade. This project promises to be a major milestone for the recognition of Latino American art and culture in the United States.

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Written by the ADM desk based on The New York Times — Art. Read the original article for the full story.