The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center reopened earlier this month, revealing a newly renovated space on June 6 with a public celebration.
The center, under the Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment department of the city of Austin, showcases renovated performance spaces, new classrooms and galleries.
The context
Austin's Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center initially opened in 2007 and has been growing ever since, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The cultural center’s mission is to preserve, create, present and promote the cultural arts of Mexican Americans and Latino cultures, according to the city’s website.
Over a decade after its launch, Austin City Council formally passed plans for phase two of the center's expansion. The plan included a vision to extend the center with classrooms, a new gallery and performance space, landscaping and a sculpture garden.
The features
The newly-debuted phase two features new music rehearsal spaces, renovations to performance spaces, classrooms, galleries, teaching kitchen, landscaping and gathering spaces, according to the center.
The celebration
The community celebrated the facility’s grand reopening, with a family friendly event on June 6: Juntos de Nuevo. The event featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, guided tours, food trucks, art exhibits, performances and an artisan market.
Check it out
Community members can now visit the space, attend a program, book a guided tour or see the exhibits on show. The weekly cumbia classes have been especially popular, Olivia Tamzarian, marketing representative for Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment said. The beginner-friendly dance classes take place every Monday from June 8-July 27.
There are currently three visual art exhibits on show—all are free and open to the public. Locals can see Mitote: Amigos Gathering. Selections from the Gilberto Cardenas & Dolores Carillo Garcia Collection, Loteriafest: Paintings by Courtney Enriquez and Belleza en el Trabajo: Temporary Mural by Armin Alaniz.
Visitors can park in the center’s designated parking lot for free, according to Tamzarian; front desk staff will provide parking passes.
