Celia Cruz. Image courtesy of the Celia Cruz Estate.

A Sound With No Borders

Salsa deserves a home.

A home in New York where the world can gather, discover salsa’s rich history, and feel the power of the sounds, rhythms, and music that have captivated generations.

Help build the museum

INTERNATIONAL SALSA MUSEUM Image of Celia Cruz Courtesy of the Celia Cruz Estate

Tito Puente exhibition display with colorful timbales — Tito Puente Custom Timbales at ISM Exhibition In Partnership with National Jazz Museum of Harlem/ Courtesy of ISM

Reporter Grace Gomez interviews bass player Ruben Rodriguez at the museum — Reporter Grace Gomez and Bass Player Ruben Rodriguez / Courtesy of ISM

Dancer Josh Garcia performs in front of an International Salsa Museum exhibition — Dancer Josh Garcia / Courtesy of ISM and Photo by Angie LMV

Historic black-and-white photograph of Tito Puente and fellow musicians at the Palladium

01 / WHY WE EXIST

Honor the legends. Inspire the next generation.

Bringing salsa’s history to life through education, exhibitions, and community.

More than music. A record of who we are.

Salsa carries the stories of communities, the voices of generations, and a rhythm that connects us across borders. We preserve that legacy and share it through music, dance, and education.

The International Salsa Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization seeking a permanent space in New York for a state-of-the-art museum. Currently, we are partnering with various organizations and curating an array of cultural programming. Your donations and your voice help bring that vision closer.

Help build salsa’s home

Artist: Tito Puente / Photo by: Harry Fine / Courtesy of the Tito Puente Estate

MEET THE MOVEMENT

Hear the story. Feel the purpose.

Experience Salsa Superstar Victor Manuelle visit the 1st Annual International Salsa Museum Pop-Up Exhibition In collaboration with the New York International Salsa Congress, The Brand Phoenix and Sony Music Latin .

Víctor Manuelle / Marriott Marquis - Times Square / New York City

VOICES OF THE CULTURE

ISM × The Recording Academy

A video series in collaboration between the International Salsa Museum and the Recording Academy. Interviews by Willy Rodriguez, Co-Founder of the International Salsa Museum.

Featuring La India

ISM × Recording Academy · Featuring Tony Succar

ISM × Recording Academy · Featuring Eddie Torres and Eddie Torres Jr.

International Salsa Museum and NY International Salsa Congress join forces

ISM and National Museum of Jazz in Harlem Honors 3 legendary New York City musicians

Interviewed By Grace Gomez For WPIX News.

2nd Annual International Salsa Museum Pop-Up at The Marriott Marquis in Times Square, NY 2023

NYPD and ISM Join forces to unite community through Music

ISM Pop Up Event in partnership with the New York International Salsa Congress

Victor Manuelle Video Release Party in Industry City. Brooklyn, NY

02 / FROM THE ARCHIVES

Our culture. Open to the world.

Explore virtual exhibitions produced and curated by the International Salsa Museum in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture. Discover the artists whose voices, music, and movement continue to inspire generations.

Celia Cruz — exhibition cover — Photo: Alexis Rodriguez-Duarte in collaboration with Tico Torres. Courtesy of the Celia Cruz Estate.

FEATURED EXHIBITION

The Life and Legacy of Celia Cruz

Celebrate the Queen of Salsa through an exhibition exploring her life, her extraordinary voice, and her enduring cultural legacy.

Visit Virtual Exhibition

VIRTUAL EXHIBITION

Víctor Manuelle

Explore three decades of music and the journey of a singer whose passion has connected salsa audiences across generations.

Visit Virtual Exhibition

VIRTUAL EXHIBITION

José Alberto “El Canario”

Explore the musical journey, distinctive voice, and lasting legacy of the Dominican salsa legend known as “El Canario.”

Visit Virtual Exhibition

FEATURED PODCAST

Our Thing: The Birth of Salsa in Nueva York

Hosted By: Rosie Perez / Written and Produced by Futuro Media.

Discover the people, places, and turning points behind salsa in New York. Start with these three episodes, then explore the series on Spotify or your favorite streaming service.

Please support Futuro Media and the stories they bring to life by visiting their website: www.futuromediagroup.org

Also Available on:

(Click One To Learn and Listen)

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

Through the lens of Allen Spatz

For more than three decades, independent New York City photographer Allen Spatz has captured salsa onstage and behind the scenes. His archive spans over 400 events, preserving the legends, emerging artists, and shared moments that keep this culture alive.

Scroll or swipe to explore all 20 photographs

Image: Patato Valdes Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Jimmy Sabater Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Jimmy Delgado Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Roberto Roena Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Johnny Pacheco Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Nelson Gonzalez Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Gilberto "El Pulpo" Colon Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Eddie Palmieri Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Dave Valentin Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Orlando Marin, Ray Barretto, Manny Oquendo Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Dave Valentin and Ronnie Puente Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Nelson Gonzalez, Andy Gonzalez, Chocolate Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Orquesta De La Luz Featuring Dave Valentin Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Bomba Dancer Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Vicki Sola and Joe Cuba Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Cachao and Nelson Gonzalez Photo By: Allen Spatz

Image: Cachao, Nelson Gonzalez and Arturo Sandoval Photo By: Allen Spatz

Artist: Willie Colon Photo by: Allen Spatz

Los Pleneros de la 21 performing with dancer Miriam Gallardo lifting her blue skirt

03 / Building & Serving Communities

Culture happens when we come together.

Revisit past museum moments and follow us for announcements about future pop-ups, performances, and community gatherings.

Follow our events on Instagram

Meta x International Salsa Museum Collaboration

Watch on Facebook

Image of Los Pleneros de la 21 and Dancer Miriam Gallardo / Courtesy of ISM

IN THE NEWS

A story worth sharing.

More coverage

Rolling Stone The International Salsa Museum La Lupe and Tito Puente Exhibition Featured on Rolling Stones Magazine. View coverage

Recording Academy · GRAMMY.com Inside the International Salsa Museum. View coverage

NPR A home for salsa in the Bronx View coverage

WPIX · PIX11 National Museum of Jazz in Harlem collaborates with The International Salsa Museum and WPIX 11 New York in highlighting the stories of three musicians whom have played an integral role in Salsa . Bobby Allende, Ruben Rodriguez and Arturo Ortiz. Watch coverage

NBC New York NBC Interviews The International Salsa Museum and discuss museum pop-up Event. View coverage

Telemundo Noticias Mrs. Vilma Villavicencio discussing the New York International Salsa congress and the collaboration with the International Salsa Museum Interview With Vilma Villavicencio

04 / BUILD THE NEXT CHAPTER

A permanent home. A lasting legacy.

We are seeking a space in New York where salsa’s history can be preserved, taught, and experienced by visitors from around the world.

Your donations help make this possible

Community & educational programming

Bring salsa’s history to life through opportunities to learn, connect, and participate.
A permanent home

Help establish a lasting home for the International Salsa Museum in New York.
Exhibition production

Support exhibitions that preserve artists’ stories and share salsa’s cultural legacy.