For Immediate Release Media contact: The Field Museum Greg Borzo 312/665-7106 gborzo@fieldmuseum.org The study, Creative Networks: Mexican Immigrants in Chicago, has many illustrative, ethnographic examples. In 2005, Latinos Progresando, an agency in the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods devoted to helping immigrants through legal services, education, advocacy and organizing, staged a production of La Victima (The Victim), a play about Mexican immigrant experiences, through Teatro Americano, a community organizing theater group. Field Museum researchers attended the play, which was performed by local residents and sold out most shows. In addition to serving as a vehicle for raising political awareness, La Victima broke through the social isolation experienced by some recent immigrants, and tried to create a bridge between immigrant parents and their children. Another example is the Mexican cultural arts activities that sometimes take place through Centro Communitario Juan Diego, a social service organization founded by Latinas in the South Chicago community area. One such activity is the group preparation of tamales, a popular Mexican food wrapped inside a corn husk. People occasionally get together through the Center to make tamales for parties or fundraisers. Field Museum researchers noted that cultural arts such as this build community cohesion. The three communities investigated were the West Chicago suburbs, including Aurora; South Chicago; and Pilsen/Little Village and West Corridor, Albany Park, and the North Side. At a time when elected officials from small towns to the White House are wrestling with immigration issues, the findings of this study have important policy implications. The study makes the following policy recommendations: Support local artists in Chicago’s Mexican community, and increase access to the arts; Support institutions—such as churches, social service organizations, and small businesses—that serve as critical networking sites for Mexican artistic and cultural practices; Expand networking opportunities for immigrants to obtain employment training, English as a Second Language, and information on their rights and responsibilities; Support school-based efforts to use arts and cultural education, and increase arts education and networking opportunities for teachers; Create information-sharing mechanisms, facilitate information sharing, and strengthen support networks; Support legislative efforts at the federal and state levels to allow undocumented students in America’s junior and senior high schools to apply for legal status if they have good moral character and have lived in the United States for at least five years. A full account of this research will be available on the Web in English and Spanish after the results are released on November 14 at www.fieldmuseum.org/networks. Digital photographs available: All photographs are copyright The Field Museum Photographer credits: PilsenSidewalk.jpg – H. Anderson dancer.jpg – J. Mumm audience.jpg – S. Vega <<Return to the Press Room