El Museo del Barrio

El Museo del Barrio was founded almost 50 years ago by artist and educator Raphael Montañez Ortiz and a group of supporters. What started as a way to promote Puerto Rican culture in New York grew into an enormous project. Today, the museum houses art from across Latin America and the Caribbean, attracting creative young people and fans of multiethnic and world art.

The museum is located in Spanish Harlem – also known as "El Barrio" – a unique neighborhood that over the years has welcomed waves of migrants, including African-American farmers, German and Irish immigrants, and, after World War II, a huge number of Puerto Ricans. Current residents hail from Latin America, Korea, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, China, and elsewhere. It seems that everything in Spanish Harlem, from the restaurants to the graffiti, is multicultural.

FYI: The cafe (called "Él Cafe") at the El Barrio is worth checking out. It offers a stunning view of Central Park and the Conservatory Garden as well as tasty burritos.

Tags: El Museo del Barrio