Could a Latino cultural museum open in Fort Worth? Study underway explores possibility

Is a Latino-focused museum on the horizon for Fort Worth?

Early planning for the proposed Latino Cultural Museum de Fort Worth launched with a study to assess the feasibility of opening a spot that honors the city’s Hispanic heritage. 

Leaders of the proposed project announced the plan during a forum at Artes de La Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts in Northside June 10. 

Keen Independent Research, a national arts and culture consulting firm, will oversee the study by examining Fort Worth’s demographic and market demand, relevant regional cultural assets, comparable national museums and operating models. 

Rosa Navejar, chair of the museum’s executive committee, told community members at the forum that plans for a museum have been in the works since 2023 with the goal of documenting local Latino history.

“Some of our elders are passing on and we don’t need to lose that information anymore,” she said. “We’ve got to be able to look at what we need to do to preserve that for educational purposes.”

Keen Independent Research’s team will also collect feedback from stakeholders and community members about potential partnerships and impact of a new museum. 

Keen Independent Research’s past projects include the Mexican Cultural Arts Alliance and Latino Cultural Arts Center in Colorado.

The presence of Latino communities in Fort Worth dates back to the city’s founding in 1849, but significant growth wasn’t seen until the early 20th century when immigration from Mexico boomed. 

Latino barrios, or neighborhoods, soon sprouted across employment sites on the northeast and south sides of downtown Fort Worth. Northside now has the largest Hispanic population, with 78% of its residents identifying as Hispanic. The Latino population makes up roughly 35% of the city’s population. 

Fort Worth regularly celebrates its Latino communities through its Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta parades, annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations, museum exhibitions and musical performances.

The nearest Latino-focused museum is the Latino Cultural Center in downtown Dallas. The 27,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2003, houses Hispanic theater companies, art exhibitions, youth and senior programs and free activities. 

Keen Independent Research will synthesize its research to define a potential Fort Worth museum concept along with its cost, size, operating budget estimates and location recommendations. 

The museum’s committee will then use the findings for its future fundraising efforts. 

“What’s the path forward for us? Is it small? Is it mid? Is it large?” Navejar rhetorically asked community members at the June 10 forum. “Do we want to be known in Fort Worth? Do we only want to be in Tarrant County, Texas or national? There’s so many opportunities.” 

The study is expected to be complete in December. 

Multimedia fellow Mary Abby Goss contributed reporting. 

David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports.

Disclosure: Rosa Navejar is mother of Fort Worth Report Board of Directors member Rachel Navejar Phillips. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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