Latino Cultures in the US

Be inspired by the contributions and experiences of Latinos in the US

In collaboration with

Smithsonian's National Museum of the American LatinoSelf Help Graphics & ArtNational Women’s History MuseumMuseum of Latin American ArtNational Museum of Mexican ArtUCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
and 43 more collections

New! Dancing through Latino Heritage Month

Grooving with the salsa icons

... And groove to salsa rhythms

Music in Latin America

Meet the other musicians

Empowerment unidos

Amplifying the strength of disabled Latinos

Latinx artists unlike you've seen before

Breaking barriers and reaching new heights

Spotlighting Latin American Art

Discover the diverse artistic palettes through a new lens

Frida Kahlo is one of Mexico's most celebrated artists, and one of art history's most recognizable figures. The artist herself, her life and her character, have fascinated as much as her art. Many of her paintings explore her own conflicted Self, perhaps none more so than this portrait.

Frida Kahlo

The painting is divided into two sections, Mexico and the US, meeting in the middle at the border. The Mexico side of the painting is a whirlwind of intense, elemental forces. The lonely moon clashes with the sun, causing lightning to strike.

Frida Kahlo

The clash of elemental forces has caused tremors, cracking the temple and sending rocks tumbling. Kahlo's depiction of her homeland is complex, natural, forceful. She holds a Mexican flag pointing down to the ground, identifying it as her home but drooping the flag ironically.

Frida Kahlo

By contrast, the US half of the painting is defined by artificial, man-made industry. You can almost hear the noises of the high-rise city, the chimneys of Henry Ford's Detroit factory.

Frida Kahlo

Frida's portrait at the border of Mexico and the US

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Investigating identity and gender

How artists explore the layers of identity in their bodies of work

Women Run, Women Win

Discover the stories and important impact of Latinas in Congress

Dolores Huerta and César Chávez endured racism and overcame obstacles as Mexican Americans. In 1962, they helped form the forerunner of the United Farm Workers Union to combat injustice toward migrant workers in California and the Southwest.

Alfredo Arreguin

Huerta and Chávez organized the Delano Grape Boycott, their most widespread protest, in 1965. The boycott put pressure on the California grape industry to change its unfair practices. After five years, the boycott proved successful when twenty-six grape growers signed an agreement that secured benefits and fair conditions for workers.

Alfredo Arreguin

Less than a century later, Mexico experienced a violent revolution (1910–20). Emiliano Zapata led the fight against governmental corruption, which allowed privileged plantation owners to deny workers their basic rights. After nearly a decade of fighting, reforms were made.

Alfredo Arreguin

Colonial Fighters to Modern Activists

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Awe-inspiring murals

Telling stories of strength and resilience

Diego Rivera in Detroit

Rivera's tribute to workers and critique of capitalism

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