The Smithsonian Institution has named Jorge Zamanillo, executive director and CEO of HistoryMiami Museum, as the founding director of the upcoming National Museum of the American Latino.
Zamanillo, who will begin his role on May 2, started working at HistoryMiami Museum back in 2000 as the curator of object collections. He served in various leadership positions before becoming executive director and CEO.
“Jorge’s accomplishments at HistoryMiami Museum highlight his commitment to exploring the full sweep of the American story by bringing to life the complex and profound narratives of Latinos in the United States,” said Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch.
“His transformational leadership will be invaluable as we build this necessary museum from the ground up, helping us create a robust, dynamic, responsive museum that exemplifies what a 21st-century cultural institution should be.”
In his role as executive director and CEO of HistoryMiami, Zamanillo manages daily operations with a $6.2m budget. He led a $45m expansion project between 2015 and 2016, adding and renovating a new building and more than doubling the size of the museum.
Jorge Zamanillo announced as first director
“It is an honor to be chosen to lead the development of this museum as the founding director,” Zamanillo said. “The Latino experience is American history, and I want to make sure our story will be preserved for future generations.”
“This museum will celebrate Latino accomplishments and resiliency through powerful stories that capture the adversity faced over centuries by Latinos in the US and their perseverance to move forward and create a legacy.”
The Smithsonian has named a board of trustees for the new National Museum of the American Latino. It has started the site-selection process, carrying out a site survey to find a location on or near the National Mall.
Eduardo Díaz, director of the Smithsonian’s Latino Center, has served as interim director of the National Museum of the American Latino. Before joining HistoryMiami Museum, Zamanillo was an archaeologist.
Zamanillo was born in New York City and grew up in Miami. He earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology at Florida State University in Tallahassee and his master’s in museum studies at the University of Leicester in the UK.
Image: Rodrigo Nuno via Smithsonian
