Latin American art is no longer a passing fad

The Venezuelan philanthropist has dedicated decades to positioning Latin American art on the global stage.

Recognized at ARCO 2025, she highlights how these works are an essential part of art history.

Her work, based on education and preservation, redefines the cultural perception of Latin America around the world.

"Latin American art is no longer a passing fad; it is fully integrated into the art world," says Venezuelan collector and philanthropist Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, who has dedicated her life to promoting it globally, a work for which she has been recognized at the Madrid International Contemporary Art Fair (ARCO). "Museums, universities, collections, fairs, and biennials have long included Latin American art as a matter of course, as a fundamental part of art history and contemporary art," notes Phelps de Cisneros (Caracas, 1947), considered one of the leading international patrons and recipient of the Honorary "A" award at the Fair's 44th edition.

She founded the Cisneros Foundation (FC) in the 1970s with her husband, businessman Gustavo Cisneros, based in the Venezuelan capital and New York. She is also a reference when it comes to decolonization in art and museums.

"In recent decades, a natural desire has emerged to broaden the references of art history to be more inclusive of other cultures and other geographies. I have been able to contribute my part to ensure that Latin America's contributions to global culture are recognized, just as others have done for other regions of the planet," she says. Read more