The Tucson Museum of Art has announced the second-largest gift in its 91-year history from the estate of Jeanette H. and Bernard L. Schmidt. The Museum has received a partial distribution of $750,000.00 that will endow the Jeanette and Bernard Schmidt Curator of Latin American Art position at the Museum and provide for purchase of Latin American Folk Art by living artists. The gift also includes 26 works of art by Latin American and American artists Rufino Tamayo, José Guadalupe Posada, Alfredo Zalce, Vicente Gandía, Ynez Johnston, Alonzo "Lon" Megargee, George Elbert Burr, Leon Pescheret, Andrew Rush, and others; that have been accessioned into the Museum’s collection, as well as dozens of works and objects that will be sold to increase the endowment.

“We are so honored and grateful to receive this generous gift,” said TMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Knight. “Having a curator of Latin American Art on staff will greatly expand our ability to produce exhibitions that are important to our region, history, and understanding of art. The gifts of art, and provision for future purchases, are of tremendous value to our renowned Latin American art collection as well.”

According to Dan Lippman. the trustee of the estate, “Bernard and Jeanette Schmidt were quiet, long term supporters of the arts. They wanted their gift to provide enjoyment for generations of museum goers to come. In that light, I am very pleased that the Tucson Museum of Art has already placed many of the art works on display and will soon establish the Jeanette and Bernard Schmidt Curator of Latin American Art position to evolve the future for Latin American art in the United States.”