The Challenge:
Puerto Rico’s cultural institutions and artistic scene is known around the world for its contributions to music, theater, cinema, plastic arts and urban arts, among others. Keeping cultural institutions alive and running is key to the island’s recovery process, as it serves both as an outlet and as testament to the journey towards Puerto Rico’s revival.
How is Hispanic Federation Helping?
Preserving, celebrating, and advancing the art and culture of communities is crucial to the collective and personal identity, health, and development of people. Hispanic Federation (HF) prioritized supporting art and artists in the aftermath of Hurricane María as a key element of short and long-term recovery.
Who Are We Helping?
Beta Local (San Juan)
Preserving, celebrating, and advancing the art and culture of communities is crucial to the collective and personal identity, health, and development of people. Hispanic Federation (HF) prioritized supporting art and artists in the aftermath of Hurricane María as a key element of short and long-term recovery.
Salón Literario Libroamérica (Loíza, Trujillo Alto, Humacao, Yabucoa and Toa Alta)
Spearheaded by respected author and teacher Mayra Santos-Febres, Salón Literario Libroamérica aims to provide creative writing workshops in vulnerable communities. Workshops were offered three times a week in storytelling, reading comprehension, photography, video and short films, and focus on healing and self-reflection. Participants had the opportunity to present their work at the Festival de la Palabra in October 2018.
Dulce Santurce (San Juan)
Santurce, the arts and culture heart of San Juan, was facing a financial crisis after Hurricane María. HF funding allowed five alternative cultural venues to reactivate their spaces, hire local artists, and offer the community free musical, theater and other arts events during the months of February and March 2018. Due to the overwhelming success of the initiative, both in terms of economic stimulation and popularity, a second edition was repeated in August and September 2018.
Puentes Para Puerto Rico (San Juan)
With HF support, Puerto Rican pianist-composer Brenda Hopkins Miranda put together two benefit concerts titled "Puentes for Puerto Rico." Brenda was joined on stage by nine of the most respected, recognized and creative artists active in the Puerto Rican music scene today: Tito Auger, Lizbeth Román, Fofé Abreu, Cheryl Rivera, Javier “Viva Nativa” Gómez, Ana del Rocío Gómez, Eduardo Alegría, Jeanne’ d’Arc Casas and Emily Gómez. These artists used the healing power of music to contribute to the ongoing recovery efforts.
R.Evolución Latina's TU ARTE RECONSTRUYE PR (Island-wide)
R.Evolución Latina is an organization that utilizes the arts through educational and collaborative programming to empower the Latino community to discover their full potential. TU ARTE RECONSTRUYE PR provided local artists with workshops to increase collaborative work and employment opportunities to serve communities in need throughout the island.