September 2023

PAFA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

This month's newsletter is dedicated to embracing the beauty of Hispanic heritage, highlighting the achievements of remarkable individuals, sharing inspiring stories, and deepening our understanding of the Hispanic and Latino experiences.

This year, as we embark on a journey to commemorate the contributions, history, and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx individuals and communities, we do so under the banner of an inspiring and unifying theme: "Todos Somos, Somos Uno" (We are all, we are one). These words resonate deeply, reminding us of the fundamental principles that underpin Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In a world where differences can sometimes divide us, this theme serves as a powerful reminder that our diversity is our strength and that together, we are a force to be reckoned with.

Join us in this celebration as we learn, appreciate, and uplift the voices and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. Let's come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a future where diversity is celebrated, and cultural richness is cherished.

Here are some statistics about Hispanic and Latinx communities:

1. Population Size: In September 2021, the Hispanic and Latino population in the United States was over 62 million, making up about 19% of the total population.
2. Growth Rate: The Hispanic population has been one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in the United States. Between 2000 and 2020, it grew by 23 million, representing a 60% increase.
3. Youthful Demographic: The median age of Hispanics in the U.S. is notably younger than that of the overall population, with a median age of around 29 years, compared to approximately 38 years for the general population.
4. Language Diversity: Spanish is the most commonly spoken language among Hispanic and Latino communities, but there is significant linguistic diversity within these communities. Many individuals are bilingual or multilingual.
5. Educational Attainment: The educational attainment of Hispanic and Latino individuals has been improving over the years. In 2019, about 17% of Hispanics aged 25 and older had at least a bachelor's degree, compared to around 36% of the general population.
6. Income Inequality: There is income inequality within Hispanic and Latino communities. Some Hispanic subgroups have higher median household incomes than others, but overall, Hispanic households tend to have lower median incomes compared to non-Hispanic households.
7. Labor Force Participation: Hispanics have a significant presence in the U.S. labor force. In 2020, the labor force participation rate for Hispanics was about 66%, similar to the overall rate for the population.
8. Entrepreneurship: Hispanic-owned businesses are a growing segment of the U.S. economy. In recent years, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses has been increasing at a rate well above the national average.
9. Political Representation: The number of Hispanic and Latino individuals serving in political offices at the local, state, and federal levels has been on the rise, reflecting their growing influence in American politics.
10. Health Disparities: Health disparities exist within Hispanic and Latino communities, with factors such as access to healthcare, insurance coverage, and certain health outcomes varying among different subgroups.

BOOST DIVERSITY AWARENESS

Challenge yourself this month to boost your diversity awareness calendar usage.

• Learn about September 2023 Events - including notable dates like National Recovery Month, Yom Kippur, International Suicide Prevention Day and other cultural observances, and more!
• Schedule Respectfully - With our PAFA Diversity Awareness Calendar, never forget important dates or events. Respect religious observances, holidays, and events.
• New Feature! Email signature images! Now you can build D&I with every email you send - find out how to add Diversity Calendar banners to your Outlook email signature.

PAFA is moving to craft an official territorial acknowledgement for the institution.

In our pursuit of artistic excellence and innovation, we often celebrate PAFA as the oldest museum and art school in the nation. This proud narrative, however, can sometimes overshadow a vital aspect of our institution's past – its roots in settler colonialism. As we navigate the rich tapestry of our history, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture, recognizing the need to honor the Indigenous communities whose lands we occupy.

We are excited to share with you an exploration that began with reflection and has evolved into a transformative journey. Our institution's leadership with the task of crafting a Land Acknowledgment Statement, a process that led us to reexamine the narratives we hold dear. We delve into the complexities of our history, from celebrated milestones to the unacknowledged footprints of colonization. Through this introspection, we discovered a path to rectify past oversights and foster deeper relationships. This is not a mere acknowledgment; it is a call-to-action that carries the weight of accountability and the promise of a more inclusive, just, and diverse future.

We invite you to embark on this journey with us. Let us join hands to transform PAFA into a place of understanding, growth, and unity.

In solidarity,

Dr. Ronke Oke

Director of DEIB & Deputy TIX Coordinator

Dr. Ashley Caranto Morford

Assistant Professor of English

Working Draft of PAFA's Living Land Acknowledgment Statement

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is located in Lenapehoking, the unceded homeland of the Lenape Peoples. Due to ongoing colonization and land swindles like the Walking Purchase of 1737, in which Pennsylvania authorities forcibly removed Lenape Peoples from this land, many Lenape communities currently live in diaspora outside of their homeland. 

These Lenape nations include the Delaware Nation in Anadarko, Oklahoma; the Delaware Tribe of Indians in Bartlesville, Oklahoma; the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in Wisconsin; the Munsee-Delaware Nation in Ontario; the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown in Ontario; and the Delaware of Six Nations in Ontario. Lenape and other Indigenous Peoples, languages, and cultures continue to thrive in Lenapehoking and beyond. 

American art institutions have long benefitted from and participated in settler colonialism. It is crucial that we work to address these harmful legacies. As the oldest art museum and school in the US, PAFA takes this work seriously. We are committed to tangibly and actively supporting Indigenous arts, cultures, sovereignty, and presence through our ever-developing exhibitions, residencies, programming, policies, and curricula. 

We invite everyone who engages with PAFA to honor these living communities and to work alongside us to foster ethically responsible futures for the American art world.