2026 Summer Teacher Institute: Contemporary Religious Life in Latin America and the Caribbean

Events, Summer Institutes  |  
Detail from a ceramic tile mural, depicting the Orishá Yemayá through the visual conventions of the Catholic Madonna and Child, art by Said Musa

The Orisha Yemayá, in a mural detail by Dominican artist Said Musa

UW-Milwaukee’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), along with UW-Madison’s Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies (LACIS) and Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS), and Florida International University’s Kimberly Green Latin America and Caribbean Center (LACC) are pleased to present our 2026 Summer Teacher Institute: 

Contemporary Religious Life in Latin America and the Caribbean

Location: UW-Milwaukee (in person)

July 6-8, 2026
Registration webform coming soon (mid-February)

This three-day program will examine the variety of religious institutions, practices, and beliefs that characterize daily life across Latin America and the Caribbean, adding complexity to the popular understanding of the region as historically Catholic. Presentations will highlight the social, artistic, and political dimensions of religions and spirituality, considering topics like the rise of evangelicalism, Afro-Caribbean belonging and activism, and traditional Indigenous knowledges as something other than “religion.” The institute will feature a variety of expert presentations (speakers may include university faculty, journalists, and practitioners), and allow participants time to collaboratively discuss ways to incorporate this material in their existing curriculum.

Open to educators at the K-12 and college levels.

Program cost: $90 educators (in-service teacher, librarian, counselor, other staff in K-16 setting) / $30 Education students. Fee includes breakfasts, lunches, and materials.

Lodging: Participants are expected to secure their own lodging. Some lower-cost, apartment-style suites are available through UWM University Housing (shared apartment with two private bedrooms) – $57/night shared or $114/night single.

Suites are available for the nights of July 5, 6, 7, and 8. Rates include overnight parking for one vehicle for the duration of your stay.

Payment in full is required in advance through your registration form, but reimbursement is available if requested by May 21 (45 days prior to reservation start). Thank you for your understanding!

Registration deadline (institute and optional lodging): May 22, 2026. For more information, contact: Monica VanBladel (vanblade@uwm.edu or 414-251-5216).