File #: 24-1200    Version: 1 Name: HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF CARLOS TORTOLERO
Type: Consent Calendar Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 1/22/2024 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 1/25/2024 Final action: 1/25/2024
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF CARLOS TORTOLERO AS THE FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART WHEREAS, born in Nuevo Laredo, M?xico, Carlos Tortolero moved with his family to Chicago, on Taylor Street, when he was a toddler; and WHEREAS, Carlos Tortolero is a recipient of an Honorary Degree from Columbia College (Chicago) and an Honorary Degree from the University of Illinois (Chicago); and WHEREAS, Carlos Tortolero graduated from UIC,he became a history teacher at Bowen High School in South Chicago, where he noticed there was a lack of Mexican and Mexican American history; and WHEREAS, from 1975-1987, Carlos Tortolero worked as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in the Chicago Public School (CPS) System; and WHEREAS, in 1982, he and five others, mostly Bowen colleagues, pooled $900 to start what was then called the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum located at 1852 W 19th Street; and WHEREAS, Carlos Tortolero's main priority when opening the National Mu...
Sponsors: ALMA E. ANAYA
title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF CARLOS TORTOLERO AS THE FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART

WHEREAS, born in Nuevo Laredo, M?xico, Carlos Tortolero moved with his family to Chicago, on Taylor Street, when he was a toddler; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Tortolero is a recipient of an Honorary Degree from Columbia College (Chicago) and an Honorary Degree from the University of Illinois (Chicago); and

WHEREAS, Carlos Tortolero graduated from UIC,he became a history teacher at Bowen High School in South Chicago, where he noticed there was a lack of Mexican and Mexican American history; and

WHEREAS, from 1975-1987, Carlos Tortolero worked as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in the Chicago Public School (CPS) System; and

WHEREAS, in 1982, he and five others, mostly Bowen colleagues, pooled $900 to start what was then called the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum located at 1852 W 19th Street; and

WHEREAS, Carlos Tortolero's main priority when opening the National Museum of Mexican Art was to have free admissions because everyone in the community deserves access to free art; and

WHEREAS, the goal was to establish an arts and cultural organization committed to accessibility, education and social justice as well as provided a positive influence for the local Mexican community, especially since many other art institutions did not address Mexican art; and

WHEREAS, the National Museum of Mexican Art serves as a community hub in the Pilsen neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, the National Museum of Mexican Art has presented over 150 exhibitions, provides arts education to 52,000 students each year, and serves over 150,000 annual visitors from 60 countries; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, Carlos Tortolero won the Ohtli Award, which means "path" in Nahuatl, where the Mexican government presents the honor to "individuals who have distinguished themselves in the service of the Mexican community outside of Mexico." which is considered the highest honor; and

WHEREAS...

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