The Smithsonian Institution has approved the conversion of its historic Arts and Industries Building into the National Museum of the American Latino, bypassing the need for congressional approval of a new site. The institution’s Board of Regents made the decision on Monday, designating the 19th-century building on the National Mall in Washington as the museum’s permanent home.

Jorge Zamanillo, director of the Latino Museum, described the decision as a significant milestone. He emphasized that situating the museum in a landmark location places the “U.S. Latino story at the heart of the National Mall and the American story.” The museum aims to transform the Arts and Industries Building into a modern facility celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Latinos in the United States.

The vote concludes the museum’s site-selection process, which had considered other locations under the control of the National Park Service. Those alternatives would have required approval from a Republican-controlled Congress. The move comes amid criticism of the Smithsonian from the Trump administration, which in its 2020 budget proposed eliminating direct funding for the Latino museum and instead supported a decentralized Smithsonian Latino Center offering exhibitions across the institution’s multiple museums.

Funding remains a major challenge for the project, which is estimated to cost approximately $1 billion. About half of the funds are expected from federal sources, while private fundraising has so far secured $72 million. The Latino Museum was authorized by Congress in 2020 but currently operates from a temporary space within the National Museum of American History. Since opening the temporary space in 2022, it has hosted two exhibitions, including “¡Presente!,” a survey of Latino history, and a showcase on salsa music.

The museum has faced criticism from conservative circles, with some accusing it of emphasizing grievances over achievements in Latino history. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, described the board’s decision as an attempt to avoid a congressional vote they are likely to lose. A Heritage Foundation report criticized the “¡Presente!” exhibition for focusing on topics such as drag queens, transgender activists, and gender nonconformists.

In 2023, Latino Republican lawmakers led efforts to eliminate funding for the museum, with some commentators characterizing its presentations as a Marxist portrayal that emphasizes Latino victimhood in the United States.

Initially, museum officials had preferred a new, architecturally distinct structure on the National Mall, partly to facilitate private donations. However, they ultimately agreed to repurpose the Arts and Industries Building amid a challenging political environment. Eduardo Díaz, former interim director of the Latino Museum and past head of the Smithsonian Latino Center, called the decision a practical compromise. While some had expressed concerns about using an existing building, Díaz noted that the Arts and Industries Building could serve as a cultural hub for Latino communities nationwide.

Opened in 1881 as the nation’s first federal museum, the Arts and Industries Building is located near the Smithsonian’s administrative headquarters and has served as a venue for exhibitions and programs. It recently reopened after renovations that began in 2004.