The Hispanic Society Wins the 2017 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation

The Hispanic Society of America was named the recipient of the 2017 Princess of Asturias Award for InternationAl Cooperation from a field of nineteen candidates. The prestigious award was established in Spain by the Prince of Asturias Foundation in 1981 to acknowledge individuals, entities, and organizations worldwide who have made significant contributions and helped to promote cultural and humanistic values that form part of the universal heritage of humanity and consolidate the existing links between the principality of Asturias and the title traditionally held by the heirs to the Crown of Spain. The eight award categories are: Arts, Literature, Social Sciences, Communications and Humanities, Scientific and Technical Research, InternationAl Cooperation, Sports, and Concord.

The Princess of Asturias Foundation reported that "the jury recognized the role of The Hispanic Society of America in promoting Hispanic and Latino culture and values through the creation of a museum, library and educational institution, with free public access, highlighting the importance of the work of The Hispanic Society of America at a time when Hispanic culture, reflected in millions of people, is striving to maintain its presence and vigor throughout America as a whole, most especially with a view to the future." The Foundation will present the Hispanic Society with the award along with a prize of 50,000 euros at a formal ceremony presided over by His Majesty King Felipe VI at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo (Spain) on October 21, 2017. The Awards Ceremony is considered one of the most important cultural events on the international calendar. Throughout their history, the Awards have received recognition from a variety of sources, such as the UNESCO declaration in 2004 acknowledging their extraordinary contribution to the cultural heritage of humanity.

Since its founding in 1904 by the American scholar and philanthropist, Archer Milton Huntington (1870-1955), the Hispanic Society has promoted the study of the rich artistic and cultural tradition of Spain and its area of influence in the Americas and throughout the world. The collections of the Hispanic Society are unparalleled in their scope and quality outside of Spain, addressing nearly every aspect of culture in Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and the Philippines from antiquity through the early twentieth century. Today, the Hispanic Society stands apart as the most significant collection of Hispanic art and culture in the United States, and contributions made by Hispanic Society curators have had a profound impact on the field of Hispanic art and culture since the founding of the institution.

"It is a great honor for The Hispanic Society of America to have been bestowed with the Princess of Asturias Award for InternationAl Cooperation," said Mitchell A. Codding, Executive Director. "The Princess of Asturias Award is a recognition of international significance of the Hispanic Society's important mission to promote the appreciation and study of Hispanic art, literature, and culture throughout the world. The Princess of Asturias Award also honors the enormous contributions of the Hispanic Society's founder Archer M. Huntington, and all of the individuals who have contributed to its ongoing success since its founding in 1904."

"The Premio Princesa de Asturias is just about the most prestigious award we could receive and we are thrilled at this recognition of the value of our institution," added Philippe de Montebello, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "This will add yet more stature and standing to the Hispanic Society Museum and Library at a vital time in our history."

In January of 2017, the Society closed the doors to the museum for renovation until the fall of 2019. During this time, the library will remain open by appointment. Public and educational programming continue to run outside the doors, allowing the Hispanic Society the opportunity to deepen its relationships with local schools and cultural organizations.

For further information call 212.926.2234 or visit the Hispanic Society's website at www.hispanicsociety.org and follow the museum on www.facebook.com/hispanicsociety, www.twitter.com/HSAmuseum, and www.instagram.com/hispanic_society.