NHCC Visual Arts program receives grant from U.S. Bank Foundation to expand virtual learning opportunities  

October 7th, 2021

The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $8,500 from the U.S. Bank Foundation. Funding from this gift will be used to support online education resources offered by the NHCC’s Visual Arts program, in connection with the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs “Invite an Educator” program.  

The NHCC Art Museum and Visual Arts program collects, preserves, researches, exhibits, and interprets artworks by Hispanic and Latinx artists from around the world. The Visual Arts Educator has developed curricula to engage students in an exploration of these artworks, and during the Covid-19 pandemic this programming was adapted for virtual platforms, providing online classroom visits and lesson plans inspired by the artists whose work resides in the permanent collection at the NHCC Art Museum.

U.S. Bank, through the Community Possible pillars of Work, Home and Play, provides grants to address racial, social, and economic inequities supporting small businesses, creating housing, and connecting communities through arts, culture, and recreation. This grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation will allow the NHCC Visual Arts program to increase the number of virtual art field trips offered and provide funding to send art supplies and materials used during the field trips.

To date, nearly 80 schools have put in a request for a Visual Arts educator, with most of these schools having little to no access to arts education. The Visual Arts educator show students how to use common household items to help stimulate a creative mindset and become independent thinkers. However, no funding had been available to provide art kits with supplies to students. Making art kits with supplies available will provide opportunities for more schools and other institutions to take part in the Invite an Educator program.

About the National Hispanic Cultural Center The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts and humanities. The Center presents mission related events throughout the year, some produced by its history, literary, performing and visual arts programs, and others by partnering with external organizations. Events take place at its 20-plus-acre campus, which includes a plaza, an art museum, a historic designated building, a library, and genealogy center. The Center is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is further supported by the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation.

About U.S. Bank U.S. Bancorp, with nearly 70,000 employees and $559 billion in assets as of June 30, 2021, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. The company has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. Learn more at usbank.com/about

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