Indira Sánchez has a Master of Arts with a specialty in cultural management from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, as well as a diploma in didactics and cultural action from the Higher Institute of Arts of Madrid, Spain and a diploma in sociology of cultural consumption from the Charles-de-Gaulle Lille 3 France University.

Indira has coordinated several international educational projects in Mexico, including the Unilever Series, focused on Internationally linking schools and galleries through contemporary art. She was also involved in the BP Art Exchange of the Tate Modern gallery in London, which allowed her to travel through Mexican communities with a high illiteracy rate, promoting educational actions based on contemporary art and culture, achieving a positive impact on communities of young people and adolescents in Oaxaca, Chiapas, Mexico City, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guanajuato and Nuevo León.

Starting in 2006, she has designed and coordinated educational and cultural trips for young people and adults with the aim of visiting the most important art events in the world. Indira has also participated as an art and leadership teacher in the educational program "Eurotrip" where she motivates young high school graduates from Nuevo León and entrepreneurs as well as young scholars with academic excellence to explore European culture and art and increase their leadership skills.

Committed to the inclusion of vulnerable groups, Indira has worked as a volunteer where she directed art expo-sales in order to raise funds to support young people with disabilities to be included in the labor market. Indira is part of the art committee of the Tarahumara Foundation and volunteer directs the Exproventa de Arte Corazón Tarahumara that aims to support the education of young Tarahumara indigenous people. Indira has been the Education and Public Programs Manager of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Monterrey since 2011. She has also worked as Professor at the University of Monterrey (UDEM) in art, design and cultural management subjects since 2009.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Human Rights Through Art Education

The project brought together artists, teachers, students, and Human Rights promotors who explored the bond between artistic education and Human Rights in the context of selected Mexican cities. The project included implementation of educational strategies through art in various communities and institutions, such as public schools, immigrant shelters and museums. The activities were carried out in four stages, and initially had a total expected impact of around 1,000 people, in addition to which the project was also shared on social media to broaden the audience even further. Indira's project has far exceeded expectations with an impressive total of 7,295 in-person participants who have taken part in one or more of her workshops or activities!

Indira hosted over 120 activities, including elements like: a guided visit to art galleries, an interactive art workshop, a presentation of how to use creative tools in their communities, hands-on games and lectures by local and international artists on how the concept of human rights interacts with their creative process in various ways. Indira reflected that “It was easier, funnier and more creative to talk about human rights using the creative tools [and] the exhibitions, which made it easier for [the participants] to recognize their rights.”

22 college students from Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León participated in a training called “Art as a Tool to Work With Human Rights” These students will collaborate throughout the program.

The workshop “An Appointment with Art and Human Rights” involved a guided tour through the exhibition of the Mexican artist Julio Galan that touches on the fear of identity and childhood.

After visiting the art exhibition, the children developed a poster with a personal Human Rights message.

Indira’s introduction to the workshop within the exhibition “Pico y Elote” by Damián Ortega, to recognize the elements of human rights present in his work.

Project participants engaging in the “Lottery of Human Rights” activity

"[This project] prompted me to reflect on the importance of integrating art education with human rights principles. This integration should commence in childhood, gain reinforcement during adolescence, and be actively practiced throughout adult life, especially alongside newer generations. The combined approach of art and human rights aims to contribute to the construction of more equitable societies and a compassionate world for all. Successfully achieving this objective stands as a significant outcome of our collective experience" - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Indira was a participant in the IVLP Project Promoting Social Change through the Arts, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Mississippi Consortium for International Development.

Indira's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "During my visit to New York City...I had the opportunity to meet Tom Block, Founder of International Human Rights Art Festival. His project inspired me to create this educational Program focused on México['s] needs. He also taught me the opportunities in which contemporary art education can be practiced."

U.S. Communities Visited

Boulder, CO; Washington, DC; New York City, NY

Country: Mexico 

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