4.10.2024

MCA Chicago announces Día del Niño, Day of the Children Program

Sueños Music Festival, Happening In Chicago This May, to Join MCA Chicago as a Partner for the April 27th Celebration

The Announcement:

CHICAGO—Today, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago announces its Día del Niño (Day of the Children) celebration, a neighborhood program that encourages participation in the arts beyond the museum and the first bilingual family program outside of the MCA. Joining the MCA’s ongoing, family-centered programs such as Family Day and Sensory-Friendly Mornings, this free, activity-filled event in Little Village will showcase local vendors, art, and performances at Saucedo Elementary School on April 27, 2024, from 11–2 pm. Guests can register for free tickets via the ticketing link on the event’s web page.

The festival uplifts Chicago youth by celebrating their place in the city through artmaking, food, music, and dance and is organized by the MCA alongside the Chicago White Sox, Sueños Music Festival, Little Village Chamber of Commerce, the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce, the Mexican Consulate in Chicago, Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, and the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation.

Families are invited to partake in a day of art and fun while learning about migrant experiences and the many communities that call Chicago home. Participating artists include Mr. Pintamuro, Salvador Andrade, Sabina Ángeles from The Jacobo María Ángeles Workshop in Oaxaca, and more. MCA Educators will also be present to facilitate activities. Drawings will take place during the celebration, with prizes such as two pairs of 2-day General Admission tickets to Sueños Music Festival, which runs from May 25 through 26, 2024. 

“As we celebrate the Day of the Children, let us acknowledge the rich diversity that defines our youth. In nurturing an inclusive educational environment, we sow the seeds for a future where every child’s unique background has the ability to build bridges of understanding that will strengthen the fabric of our global community,” said Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil of the Mexican Consulate in Chicago.

“The Latino Caucus Foundation is proud to work alongside the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago in supporting events that use art as a vehicle for diverse and equitable spaces for Latino families, artists, and Chicago’s cultural ecosystem. The Foundation is committed to supporting these accessible spaces, and we look forward to celebrating Día del Niño on April 27,” said Michael D. Rodriguez, Chairman of the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation, Alderperson of the 22nd Ward.

“Families are at the heart of our community, and their well-being is our top priority. Collaboration with community organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies is vital to ensure that every child has the tools to thrive, especially through family friendly activities like ‘Día del Niño,’” 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez said.

“Celebrating the richness of culture and community is at the heart of our mission at the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. It’s our utmost pleasure to join hands with the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago for their Day of the Children celebration. Our members embody the spirit of giving, and we’re honored to have Los Comales generously donate food for this event,” said Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.

“Pilsen Chamber of Commerce and La Michoacana Premium is more than excited to be a part of the Día del Diño event with the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Children are the happiness in this world who bring smiles to our faces in times of great fear and strife. This event is important not only by sharing love with them through paletas, but also by sharing tradition through our ancestors’ recipes from one generation to the next,” Noe Govea, Vice President of the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of La Michoacana Premium said in a joint statement with Evelyn Ortiz-Govea, co-owner of La Michoacana Premium.

“Investing in young minds and the next generation of Chicagoans, who are positioned to lift up our community and continue discovering ways to push progress, is essential. Día del Niño is an impactful route to help empower children in our neighboring Little Village community and provide the resources to help youth grow and thrive. The White Sox organization is proud to be a partner to bring this important program to life in Little Village,” said Sheena Quinn, Chicago White Sox Senior Director of Public Relations

“We at Choose Chicago are absolutely thrilled to support the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Day of Children event at Saucedo Academy in Little Village. This initiative is a remarkable example of community engagement, bringing the spirit of the MCA directly into one of Chicago’s most dynamic neighborhoods. It is so important to make art accessible to everyone and to help weave together the rich variety of cultures that makes Chicago such a uniquely vibrant place to live, work, and visit,” said Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO of Choose Chicago.

“Sueños Chicago is super happy and honored to be a part of Dia del Niño! Our hope is for every kid to know that there is no dream too big; every kid’s dream is worth fighting for. Now let’s celebrate todos los niños!” Said the Sueños Chicago Team.

“It’s truly an honor to be a part of this event at La Villita, hosted by the MCA. We are grateful to participate, and support the community that has supported us since day one,” said Javier Garcia and Nathalie Soli, founders of Big Mich.

A press conference detailing the event will take place on April 22, 2024, at 10 am in the Crown Family Room at the Museum of Contemporary Art, located at 220 E Chicago Ave. To reserve a spot, please email the MCA media team by April 17, 2024.

IN-KIND SUPPORT
Día del Niño is proudly supported by the Office of the Mayor of Chicago, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and Choose Chicago.

PROGRAMMING (ALL DAY)
1st floor
Auditorium:
11 am – 12 pm: Performances by Trio Ruby,
12 – 1 pm: DJ set by Stephanie Manriquez, aka Fanita Banana from Lumpen Radio
1:15 – 2 pm: Mexican Folkloric Dance with Pamela

Gymnasium: Bouncy houses and sports activities by the Chicago White Sox.

2nd floor
Cafeteria: Discounted small bites by La Michoacana Premium Pilsen presented by the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce, as well as free food from Los Comales presented in partnership with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, there will be aguas frescas (free for children, $5 for adults) by Big Mich. Payasito Guapetin will be leading magic tricks, fun games with special prizes and dances.

Classrooms: Natural dye workshop with Sabina Ángeles; a collaborative installation with found objects, discarded food materials, and handpress with Salvadore Andrade; an illustration workshop based on anime characters, as well as Aztec and Mayan storytelling, by Mr. Pintamuro; and a Sueños-led workshop that focuses on participants’ own hopes and dreams.

MCA Educators will lead four different activities that relate to current and past MCA exhibitions, such as kaleidoscope-making inspired by artist Maryam Taghavi’s sculptures, a story quilt activity inspired by artist Faith Ringgold, a make-your-own flag activity inspired by the exhibition entre horizontes: Art and Activism Between Chicago and Puerto Rico, and a make-your-own zine activity.

Please contact Michelle or Kerry for more info.

The Background:

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Mr.Pintamuro is from Little Village in Chicago. Mr. Pintamuro is renowned for merging manga and Indigenous motifs into his narratives. With vibrant murals along 26th Street, his work not only celebrates cultural heritage but also ignites dialogue and change within and beyond his community.

Pamela Nanét and her brother, Ash Ernesto, began their Mexican folkloric dance journey in 2011. Through their involvement in danza, they formed a unique bond and established unforgettable relationships with other individuals and communities. They have danced with Ballet Folklorico Los Hermanos Avila, Ballet Nacional de Milwaukee, and Mexican Dance Ensemble, where they not only performed but also assumed either teaching or directing roles. In 2019, Pamela founded her own dance company, Itotia Mexica Xi, focusing on an inclusive approach to teaching ancestral duality. IMX has performed at renowned venues and cultural institutions throughout Chicago, collaborating with local folkloric and traditional dance groups.

Salvador Andrade Arévalo was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and raised in the Chicagoland area. He is a trained printmaker who works primarily in painting, drawing, and installation. As a fourth-generation migrant laborer, he contends with the erasure and commodification of his family’s culture, history, and traditions due to economic duress imposed by neoliberal policies and draconian immigration policies. His work draws potency from ancestral influences connected to intergenerational knowledge, folklore, hand crafts, syncretic belief systems, and vernacular traditions.

The Jacobo and María Ángeles Workshop, established in 1994 in San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca, specializes in crafting figures from copal wood known as “tonas” and “nahuales.” Rooted in communal principles, the workshop fosters various projects in gastronomy, bioconservation, and material exploration—including ceramics and jewelry—all underscored by a commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Jacobo and María Ángeles’s master craftsmanship has garnered international recognition, leading to participation in exhibitions, conferences, and competitions across Mexico and beyond.

Trio Ruby is a young group of musicians formed by Javier Martinez, Jose Zuñiga and Jesus Palafox. They are inspired by traditional Mexican folk songs and music that their parents and grandparents listened to. They believe that music from past generations needs to be conserved and celebrated today.

Stephanie Manriquez is the executive producer and educator at Yollocalli Arts Reach, where she leads the Your Story, Your Way audio journalism program for youth and produces the organization’s radio programs. A Mexico City native, Stephanie has also reported on issues including adult education, literacy, housing, mental health and migration. While rooted at the National Museum of Mexican Art, her work involves close partnerships with many community organizations, including: Casa Aztlán, Frida Kahlo Community Organization, Elevarte Community Studios and the Resurrection Project. As an educator, she strikes the hard-to-find balance of pushing young people to challenge themselves while also allowing them to pursue their creative desires.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO:
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The MCA interweaves exhibitions, performances, collections, and educational programs while providing a place for audiences to contemplate and discuss contemporary art in pursuit of a creative and diverse future. The MCA believes in the values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) as a platform to enact structural change. The museum is generously supported by its Board of Trustees; individual and corporate members; private and corporate foundations, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and government agencies. Museum capital improvements are supported by a Public Museum Capital Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The MCA is a proud member of Museums in the Park and receives major support from the Chicago Park District.

The MCA is located at 220 E. Chicago Avenue and is open 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday and Tuesdays (free for IL residents) from 10 am to 9 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is free for all youth 18 and under, members of the military and veterans, and MCA members. Find more information about MCA’s exhibitions, programs, and special events at mcachicago.org or at 312.280.2660.

ABOUT SUEÑOS MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Located in the iconic Grant Park, offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, Sueños Festival (translation: dreams), was created to be an inclusive event with a mission to continue to celebrate and uplift Latin culture and the extraordinary music, people, food, and amazing energy that comes along with it. In addition to an entirely Latin lineup, the festival featured a curated selection of Chicago’s best Latin food, art installations, a ferris wheel, multiple bars, specialty cocktail lounges, and much more. Sueños 2024 features headlining performances from Peso Pluma, Rauw Alejandro, Maluma, and Ivan Cornejo, and will return to Grant Park on May 25-26, 2024.

Links:

Sueños Music Festival: official website | instagram | facebook | twitter
MCA Chicago: facebook | twitter | instagram