in 1978. This location contributed to the museum's growth and audience development, increasing the market share of non Latino visitors to 40% of their audience. Musica de Camara, located nearby is a non-profit for promoting Latin classical musicians and was launched at the museum by Eva de la O., in 1979. Expansion In the early 2000s the museum experienced a significant increase in visitors, however remained confined to one floor in its building, which it shares with a school and a number of private organizations. A plan was proposed for the Museum of the City of New York, across the street from El Museo, to relocate to the historic Tweed Courthouse by City Hall in Lower Manhattan. El Museo would then have moved into the other museum's former building, dramatically expanding its available exhibition space. However, Mayor Michael Bloomberg decided to site the new New York City Department of Education in the Tweed Courthouse instead. After the failed relocation, El Museo opted to pursue a $15 million project to transform its outdoor courtyard into an open glass lobby, café and performance space, and to provide a suitable public "face" to the street on the model of the renovated Brooklyn Museum. It reopened following the renovation and expansion in October 2009 to mostly positive reviews. The renovation was spearheaded by NYC-based architect Gruzen Samton and completed at a cost of $35 million and added a shop and restaurant. From 2018 to 2019, the Teatro, theater was restored. Its fairytale paintings were redone, the seats exchanged, and the stage modernized. Two forgotten artistic chandeliers were hung from the ceiling again and the refurbishments and re-opening were celebrated with a concert by legend and El Barrio native Eddie Palmieri, on February 20, 2021. Management On February 15, 2013, it was announced that Margarita Aguilar left her post as the director. Jorge Daniel Veneciano, the following director stepped down from the position in August 2016. In 2017, Patrick Charpenel became the museum's executive director. He has worked extensively in Mexico as well as internationally. See also List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City Education in New York City References External links 1969 establishments in New York City Art museums established in 1969 East Harlem Museums in Manhattan Art museums and galleries in New York City Hispanic and Latino American culture in New York City Latino museums in the United States Ethnic