Artist and educator Raphael Montañez Ortiz receives UCLA Medal

Cultural and Athletic

Chancellor Block presented UCLA’s highest honor – the UCLA Medal – to artist and educator Raphael Montañez Ortiz.

Ortiz was recognized for his achievements as an innovator and influencer in contemporary art and art education. The event was hosted by the Chicano Studies Research Center in collaboration with the Institute of American Cultures.

“Dr. Ortiz has contributed to our society in so many ways: By forcing us to confront our shared human challenges, by bringing diverse cultural perspectives to the fore and by championing art and self-expression as a means to empower the Latino community,” said Chancellor Block. “Perhaps as significant, his dedication to art education has helped cultivate the next generation of artists to follow in his footsteps.”