Edward James Olmos. Photo Courtesy IMDB

The Mexican Museum announced June 25 the creation of the Arts & Letters Council to help the museum’s relocation efforts, naming Edward James Olmos, Mexican American film actor, director and producer, its Honorary Chairman.

“(The Arts & Letters Council) represents a wide spectrum of Mexican artists, actors, writers, painters, media … from not only the Bay Area but nation and worldwide,” said Andy Kluger, chairman of the Mexican Museum board of directors. “They are ready to advocate for the finalization of the museum as well as helping with the design of programming at the museum once open.”

The only San Francisco museum to be named an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Mexican Museum continues to receive strong community support for its relocation and expansion from its current location from Fort Mason to the downtown area.

The increase in public advocacy surrounding the museum’s development led to the formation of the council, currently comprised of 51 arts and letter professionals, many of whom have worked in the museum’s permanent collection.

In addition to Olmos, members of the A&L Council’s roster includes such names as Bay Area artists Rupert Garcia, Irene Perez and Victor D. Cartagena, as well as international figures like 2010 Chilean National Literature Prize winner Isabel Allende and Mexico City-based artist and designer, Pedro Friedeberg.

“They (the artists) understand the importance of a center dedicated to Chicano and Latino heritage in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center,” said Kluger. “We are deeply honored to have the support of such luminaries.”