Carlos Cortéz was a Chicago-based artist, poet, illustrator, muralist, and activist. Regarded as a political artist, both in practice and belief, he is best known for his prints and illustrations that address labor rights, union organizing, identity and culture. As a longstanding Chicago community activist, Cortéz was integral to the Museum’s founding and mission. The NMMA frequently exhibits his prints, and is the exclusive repository of the Carlos Cortéz Archive.