Published September 25, 2023
The Latinx Project at NYU: A Celebration of Latinx Art, Identity, and Culture
The TL;DR
- The Latinx Project (TLP) is NYU’s interdisciplinary research center for US-based Latinx art and culture.
- TLP presents the Latinx Advocacy Award to a graduating undergraduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence and activism in the field throughout their time at NYU.
- Anyone can stop by to view TLP’s exhibitions. Additionally, students can submit original writing, criticism, and interviews to Intervenxions, TLP’s online publication.
New York City puts the whole world at your doorstep. You can duck into a museum between classes or catch a matinee after lunch—and the same is true of NYU. The University’s New York City campus is home to a diverse network of galleries, institutions, centers, and libraries fostering discovery and advancing scholarship. Since 2018 students and faculty alike have come to The Latinx Project (TLP), NYU’s interdisciplinary research center for US-based Latinx art and culture. Here every day is a celebration of Latinx identity and everyone can develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of Latinx studies.
A Place for Students
“The Latinx Project firmly commits to serving our undergraduate community. Specifically, it gives them access to knowledge about Latinx culture, art, and activism in and out of their classrooms,” says Jessica Enriquez. She’s the program administrator, and for her, TLP has been particularly impactful.
The NYU alumnus discovered the initiative as an undergraduate in Professor Arlene Dávila’s Ethnicity and the Media class. Professor Dávila founded TLP in 2018, and Jessica couldn’t wait to get involved. “My eagerness came from wanting to surround myself with and learn from Latinx artists, scholars, activists, and more,” she explains. Today she gets to soak up Latinx culture and community every day.
A Place for Change
In addition to serving as program administrator, Jessica has a rich history with TLP. In fact, as a graduating senior, she received TLP’s first Latinx Advocacy Award in spring 2020. TLP gives the award to a graduating undergraduate student who demonstrated academic excellence and activism in the field throughout their time at NYU.
“As a born and raised New Yorker, I wanted to learn more about Latinx history in the city I’ve always called home,” Jessica recalls. “So, I took a number of courses with NYU’s Department of Social and Cultural Analysis. As a result, I tapped into a deep drive to bring various communities together on and off campus. This led to my involvement with the NYU Mexican Student Association, TLP, and organizing groups off campus. Being the first recipient of the award continues to be a great honor. I’m also consistently amazed by the work of those who have come after me.”
A Place for Exploration
With a goal to increase visibility and spark creativity, TLP provides vital resources and opportunities for the entire University. Latinx culture is shared through events, exhibits, and lectures. Furthermore, TLP encourages the community to learn from artists, panelists, fellows, and curators.
Eager to get involved? First, any member of the NYU community can stop by to view the exhibitions. Recent shows have dealt with issues of identity and self-styling, digital surveillance and subversion, and New York City’s Indigenous history.
Additionally, TLP’s online publication, Intervenxions, welcomes student submissions of original writing, criticism, and interviews. Faculty and students also host the annual TLP Conference, which brings together NYU community members to explore the latest developments in Latinx studies. And they’re not stopping there.
In fact, TLP received a $1.3 million donation in March 2023 to establish an official research institute for Latinx studies. However, Jessica has even bigger dreams for the initiative. “In the future, I hope The Latinx Project becomes the leading center for public-facing Latinx studies in the US and beyond,” she concludes.
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