CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Jose Ochoa has taken over as president and CEO of the National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA), located on West 19th Street near South Wolcott Avenue in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.
"For me, it's this idea of coming back home, even though I'm not from Chicago and I never worked at the museum before. But it feels like a homecoming of sorts, for me, where I can reconnect to my roots."
Ochoa joined the museum from the ChiArts Foundation of the Chicago High School for the Arts, where he served as president. He told WBBM that many people don't realize Chicago is home to the second-largest Mexican community in the country.
His arrival followed the departure of Carlos Tortolero, who served as the NMMA's president and CEO for more than 40 years. Tortolero will continue in a consultative role until March 31.
"Jose's energy and empathy, his success in engaging young people and in creating opportunities all combine to make him the perfect person to lead the museum at this exciting time in its journey," Tortolero said in a press release.
The National Museum of Mexican Art is the only nationally accredited museum dedicated to Mexican art and culture.
"The museum is free, and the museum is accessible," he said. "The museum is close to people's homes, so it doesn't feel like this [far off] institution. I just feel so honored and humbled to be part of it."
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