(MIAMI) – March 20, 2025 – HistoryMiami Museum is proud to announce that its CEO, Natalia Crujeiras, has been selected as an Emerson Collective Fellow for her innovative work exploring how cultural institutions shape and foster civic identity. This prestigious fellowship will support Crujeiras in advancing a research project that aims to deepen our understanding of how museums and cultural organizations influence community cohesion and a sense of belonging.
As the first female and first Latina CEO in the museum’s 85-year history, Crujeiras is transforming HistoryMiami into a dynamic, state-of-the-art institution that unites the diverse communities of Miami. Under her leadership, the museum is dedicated to celebrating the city’s rich cultural heritage, fostering inclusion, and providing a platform for all Miamians to feel connected to the city’s unique identity as a crossroads of the Americas.
Through the Emerson Collective Fellowship, Crujeiras will lead research on the impact of museum exhibitions and programs on civic identity. This project will be instrumental in the planning of HistoryMiami’s exhibition, Becoming Miamian, set to open in July 2026 in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition will spotlight Miami’s vibrant communities and their evolving identities.
The fellowship, which offers recipients autonomy to pursue groundbreaking work with minimal ongoing programming, will provide Crujeiras with the resources needed to conduct surveys, interviews, and fieldwork to develop a methodology for measuring cultural institutions’ role in strengthening community bonds. Her findings will not only inform the “Becoming Miamian” exhibit but will also contribute to a toolkit that can help other cultural institutions across the country strengthen civic engagement and unity within their communities.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as an Emerson Collective Fellow, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the conversation about how cultural institutions can be powerful tools for fostering civic identity and community cohesion. This fellowship will amplify the work we are doing at HistoryMiami, bringing our mission to a national stage,” Crujeiras said. “Our museum has always been a place where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate Miami’s diverse heritage, and this research will help us better understand how we can build a deeper sense of belonging, not just in Miami, but across the country.”
Emerson Collective is a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of possibility, working to create a world of abundance for future generations. Emerson Collective’s Fellowship supports visionary individuals whose work tackles pressing issues and has the potential to make lasting societal impact. Fellows are selected based on their proven excellence and originality, and the fellowship empowers them to pursue transformative, innovative projects with the support of a collaborative and engaged network.
About HistoryMiami Museum:
Founded in 1940, HistoryMiami Museum is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Miami and a Smithsonian Affiliate. It is committed to preserving and celebrating the rich history of the city, its people, and its diverse communities. With a mission to provide inclusive spaces for dialogue and reflection, the museum creates immersive exhibitions and educational programs that engage visitors in meaningful explorations of Miami’s past, present and future. The museum’s extensive collections—comprising over 30,000 artifacts and more than two million images—offer a deep dive into the stories that shape Miami’s identity. In addition to exhibitions and collections, HistoryMiami offers public programs, community initiatives, and special events that encourage civic engagement and highlight what makes Miami, Miami.