Institute for Studies on Latin American Art (ISLAA)

The Institute for Studies on Latin American Art (ISLAA), based in New York City, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the study, visibility, and global understanding of Latin American art. Founded in 2011, ISLAA has become an important platform connecting artists, scholars, curators, and the public through exhibitions, research, publications, and institutional partnerships. Located in Tribeca, Manhattan, ISLAA operates as both an exhibition space and a center for scholarship, offering free public access to its galleries, library, and archives. ISLAA was created in response to the historical underrepresentation of Latin American art within mainstream institutions. Its mission is to place artists from Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diasporas at the center of broader conversations on modern and contemporary art. Through exhibitions and research initiatives, the organization highlights both celebrated and overlooked figures whose contributions have shaped international artistic discourse. Recent exhibitions have featured artists such as Carlos Cruz-Diez, Claudio Perna, Marcia Schvartz, Magali Lara, and Luis Fernando Benedit. A defining aspect of ISLAA is its commitment to academic collaboration. The organization has developed strong partnerships with universities including New York University, Columbia University, and the City University of New York (CUNY), creating opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty to engage directly with its collections and programs. Among its most significant initiatives was the Annual Symposium of Latin American Art, organized from 2016 to 2024 in collaboration with these institutions. The symposium became an important platform for scholars, curators, artists, and students to exchange new research and perspectives on the histories and contemporary practices of Latin American art. In particular, ISLAA has maintained a close collaboration with New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts. Since 2013, this partnership has generated more than seventy public programs, academic events, and exhibitions, including the South and About! lecture series, the Latin American Forum, and five exhibitions presented at Duke House. These initiatives have significantly expanded opportunities for dialogue and scholarship on Latin American art within one of the leading art historical centers in the United States. ISLAA also collaborates annually with the Association for Latin American Art (ALAA) through the ISLAA–ALAA Encuentro, held during the College Art Association (CAA) conference. Centered around a keynote speaker, this gathering has become an important annual event for scholars, curators, and professionals working in the field. The organization has also partnered with major museums and cultural institutions in New York, including the New Museum and Dia Art Foundation, helping expand the visibility of Latin American artists through exhibitions, talks, and public programs. Beyond the United States, ISLAA has cultivated relationships with leading institutions across Latin America, including the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) in Brazil and the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA) in Argentina. These collaborations strengthen transnational exchange, encourage shared research, and connect audiences across regions. Through its exhibitions, archives, publications, and partnerships, ISLAA has become a vital institution in New York’s cultural landscape. By combining rigorous scholarship with public engagement, it continues to redefine how Latin American art is studied, presented, and experienced internationally.

ISLAA Fellowship Program Since 2021, ISLAA has developed a systematic and continuously growing fellowship program designed to support advanced research, curatorial practice, and writing on Latin American art. The program has expanded across institutional partnerships and in-house initiatives, fostering a diverse network of scholars and practitioners. Between 2021 and 2025, the fellowship program has included: 3 ISLAA Curatorial Fellows at the New Museum (2021, 2023, and 2025) 1 ISLAA Fellow at CCS Bard 17 Writer-in-Residence Fellows, working directly with ISLAA’s documentary collections 20 Research Grants supporting independent scholarly research using ISLAA archives Since 2023, ISLAA has also maintained a dedicated Research Center with regular opening hours, providing structured access to its documentary holdings for scholars, fellows, and researchers. Consolidation into Residency Programs (since 2025) Beginning in 2025, ISLAA’s fellowship initiatives have been consolidated into two main residency programs hosted at its headquarters in New York, both focused on in-depth research in ISLAA’s archival collections. All fellows are expected to be physically present for a residency period of 2 to 4 weeks. These fellowships are awarded through annual open calls, and applications are evaluated by external juries composed of independent scholars and experts in the field, ensuring transparency and academic rigor in the selection process. 1. ISLAA Research Fellowships This program supports early-career scholars and graduate students based in the United States. Up to 5 fellows annually Open to graduate students in the United States Residency: 2–4 weeks in New York Award: USD 2,500 per fellow Focus: original research in ISLAA archival collections 2. ISLAA Latin American Fellowships This program supports scholars based in Latin America across different career stages. Applicants must be residing in Latin America Residency: 2–4 weeks at ISLAA headquarters in New York It includes three categories: -Senior Scholar Fellowships (2 awards) USD 10,000 each Minimum 10 years of experience Strong peer-reviewed publication record -Postdoctoral Fellowships (2 awards) USD 7,500 each PhD completed within the past two years -Doctoral Fellowships (4 awards) USD 5,000 each Currently enrolled in a doctoral program at a Latin American university