Museum of Latin American Art Welcomes New President

The Long Beach Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) has announced Lourdes I. Ramos as their new president and chief executive. The museum was founded in 1996 by Dr. Robert Gumbiner, a pioneer for pre-paid medical plans and a personal collector of Latin American art. Gumbiner, who passed away at age 85, had collected 250 pieces of art over 30 years of travelling. When his collection exceeded the space in his home, he announced his decision to build MOLAA.

After his death in 2009, the museum began experiencing financial struggles, and in 2012, former President Stuart Ashman made several budget cuts in order to maintain profits. After five years of service, Ashman stepped down, and the museum has been without a director since his leave in July of 2016.

After his departure, Robert N. Braun, MOLAA Board co-chair, said, “I think we’re at the next stage of development of the museum. I think we need to look more globally, and toward the local community as well as the nation.”

Now, after nearly 10 months without a chief executive for the museum, Lourdes I. Ramos is stepping into the position. Ramos was born in Puerto Rico and will be the first Latina to hold the office. She received her master’s degree in fine arts from Illinois State University and then her doctorate in the same subject from the University of Barcelona, Spain, with a concentration in arts administration.

For 20 years, Ramos has worked in the museum industry, including spending 12 years at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, where she served as the executive director and chief curator. During her time there, she expanded the museum’s collection, incorporating over 400 donations and acquisitions. She is also an accreditation commissioner for the American Alliance of Museums.

Braun said in a press release, “We are so excited to see someone of Dr. Ramos’ caliber take the reins at MOLAA. She is strategic, forward-thinking and has an excellent track record of museum leadership. Her ability to organize projects on a global scale and attract new audiences and support through innovative, collection-based programs will enable MOLAA to strengthen its artistic direction and create a solid infrastructure for its continued growth.”

Ramos became known in Puerto Rico for producing extensive exhibitions through her partnerships with major national and international organizations. “We were looking for someone with the academic qualifications that Lourdes has, that could give us curatorial direction. We’d like the museum to become a thought leader in … Latin American, Latino and Chicano art,” said Braun.

Ramos, who will assume the position on May 1, said in a release, “When we refer to the most exalted institutions of Latin and Latin American art, MOLAA is a mandatory reference. As a professional, to be able to contribute and expand upon the artistic legacy and the vision of MOLAA, in a framework of strategic development, is a great responsibility. Nevertheless, it is a shared responsibility with all those visionaries who see the arts as the pinnacle of human expression and a unifying force that celebrates diversity and inclusion without regard to borders.”

MOLAA, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, prides itself on being the only museum in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary Latin American art.

“I could tell the type of woman she was, her leadership skills, and, really, how much she cares for the whole Latin American art perspective,” Braun said, “It’s really about shaking up the program and the vision.”

The Museum of Latin American Art is located at 628 Alamitos Ave. in Long Beach. To learn more, visit www.molaa.org.

kelley@beachcomber.news