For Immediate Release Media contact: The Field Museum Greg Borzo 312/665-7106 gborzo@fieldmuseum.org Field Museum, University of Illinois researchers reveal social assets of Chicago’s Mexican immigrants Research results to be released Nov. 14 at The Field Museum CHICAGO—A new study, several years in the making, reveals that Mexican immigrants in the Chicagoland area possess a wealth of artistic and networking assets that contribute to the social and cultural vitality of neighborhoods, organizations and institutions. In addition, their participation in cultural and artistic activities stimulates economic activity, especially in the music industry and service sector. “Mexican immigrants help to build up the rich, vibrant life and character of our city. They make significant contributions that lead to growth, both economically and culturally,” said Alaka Wali, Director of The Field Museum’s Center for Cultural Understanding and Change (CCUC) and one of the primary investigators of the study, which was funded by The Rockefeller Foundation. An innovative Website showcasing the results of the research through photographs, ethnographic quotes, and interactive network diagrams will be launched during an event hosted by the CCUC Council at The Field Museum on Nov. 14, 2006. “Arts and cultural associations play important ‘brokering’ roles -- second only to social service organizations -- in resource exchange networks, including exchange of clients, information, expertise, volunteers, and materials,” said Noshir Contractor, Director of the Science of Networks in Communities (SONIC) research group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and another primary investigator of the study. “In particular, arts and cultural associations often act as liaisons, linking different types of organizations together, creating pathways among social services, community centers, arts institutions, businesses, mass media and other organizations important to facilitating access to the social, political, cultural and economic life of the city for the Mexican immigrant community.” “This reinforces ethnographic evidence that arts and cultural associations are vital connection points into the social, civic, political and cultural life of Chicago,” added Hank Green, a senior investigator on the SONIC team at the University of Illinois and co-author of the report with Dr. Heather McClure, research associate with the Latino Research Team at the Oregon Social Learning Center. Continue>>