New Museum Celebrates Living Textile Traditions

Mexico's Secretary of Culture, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, inaugurated the Museum of Textiles of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples on June 9, 2026, in the historic Casa del Marqués del Apartado in Mexico City's Centro Histórico. The project represents an 80-million-peso investment and houses a permanent collection of 210 pieces showcasing textile traditions from indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities across Mexico.

Located at República de Argentina 1, next to the Templo Mayor, the 18th-century building was originally designed by architect Manuel Tolsá. The museum features 16 exhibition halls, an audiovisual room developed with support from Conabio and the Taller Original workshop, where contemporary artisans weave and embroider in real time.

Curatorial Vision and Community Recognition

Chief curator Alejandro de Ávila organized the collection around fibers, natural dyes, threads, and weaving and embroidery techniques representative of indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities nationwide. Several pieces come from the personal collection of Annie Pardo, mother of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who specializes in indigenous textiles.

De Ávila emphasized that textile art is a living practice and highlighted the museum's role in formally recognizing artisans and artisans who have historically been marginalized. The Culture Ministry, with support from Fonart and the Original program, created distribution channels for products made by these master craftspeople.

Public Opening and Cultural Programming

The museum is now open to the public with regular hours and serves as part of 281 cultural activities scheduled for the 2026 Social World Cup. The year's temporary programming will feature contemporary textile artists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Museum of Textiles of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples located?

The museum occupies the Casa del Marqués del Apartado at República de Argentina 1 in Mexico City's Centro Histórico, adjacent to the Templo Mayor. The building, designed by Manuel Tolsá in the 18th century, has been fully restored.

How many pieces are on display?

The permanent collection includes 210 pieces representing indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities from all regions of Mexico, distributed across 16 exhibition halls plus the Taller Original workshop space.

How much did the Culture Ministry invest in the museum?

The Culture Ministry invested 80 million pesos in renovating the Casa del Marqués del Apartado, restoring the collection, and developing the curatorial program.

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