Museo de Arte de Ponce named finalist for the IMLS National Medal for Museums and Libraries of 2021

Puerto Rico—The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today that the Museo de Arte de Ponce is among 30 finalists for the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Museo de Arte de Ponce is the only institution in Puerto Rico to be selected as a finalist for this award.

“The revival and reinstitution of the National Medals by IMLS is another signal of recovery and in renewal in the nation’s very challenging—but very hopeful—times,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “We are celebrating not only the ongoing excellence of the best of our museums and libraries, but their extraordinary efforts through the pandemic, the recession, the racial justice protests, and national divisions to serve, heal, and bring together our communities. Congratulations to all 30 finalists.”

The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate significant impact in their communities. For more than 25 years, the award has honored institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.

“The Museo de Arte de Ponce is honored to be a finalist for the 2021 IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service. For six decades, our institution has provided programs that highlight culture, education and enhance the quality of life amongst the communities that we serve. In the past years, the institution has been committed to adapt rapidly to the impact of natural disasters such as hurricane María, the earthquake of 2019 and currently the COVID 19 pandemic to reach out and provide support to the most vulnerable populations of our society through initiatives such as ConectARTE and El Museo Sale a la Calle, amongst others”, informed Alejandra Peña Guiérrez, Executive Director of the Museo de Arte de Ponce.

To celebrate this honor, IMLS is encouraging the Museo de Arte de Ponce community members to share stories, memories, pictures, and videos on social media as part of the Share Your Story campaign, using the #IMLSmedals hashtag, and engage with IMLS on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, please visit the IMLS website.

National Medal winners will be announced in late spring. Representatives from winning institutions will be honored for their extraordinary contributions during a virtual National Medal Ceremony this summer.

To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit the IMLS website.