The National Museum of Mexican Art announced that it has received a $1 million grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to redevelop a decommissioned fire station in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood into a community center for arts programming. The grant will also help secure additional funding for construction completion and programs in the renovated facility. The Yollocalli Fire Station will be home to a second location for Yollocalli Arts Reach, the award-winning youth initiative of the Museum. The new center will provide enriching leadership, arts, entrepreneurship and media programs at no cost to more than 300 teens and young adults, and space for community programming. The Museum was selected to receive the grant because of its high-impact strategies to improve the quality of life, increase economic opportunity and steward vibrant networks of community stakeholders.

Yollocalli provides youth leadership and workforce development centered around the arts and grounded in youth voice,” said José Ochoa, president and CEO of the National Museum of Mexican Art. “It is an honor to receive this grant from the McCormick Foundation to expand Yollocalli and help young people discover, grow and expand their perceptions of what is possible. “We are pleased to partner with the Museum to support young people in Little Village,” said Timothy P. Knight, president and CEO of the McCormick Foundation. “The new Yollocalli center will create exciting opportunities for youth to explore their interests, nurture creative talents, and become confident leaders. The McCormick Foundation continues to invest in community centers, such as Yollocalli, to provide safe and enriching environments for youth and families.” The Museum hopes to open the new facility in August 2025.