ARTE AMÉRICAS

Who Are We

Arte Américas is one of the largest Latino cultural centers in California. We are recognized as one of the best art galleries in the burgeoning Cultural Arts District of downtown Fresno.

Our cultural center is a celebration of Arts in Mexico, Latin America, the Southwest, and California. Its focus is on the ability of art to be both culturally specific and universally understood.

Our exhibits and events are culturally educational and family-friendly; featuring local and international artists whose talents celebrate the eclectic variety of cultural artforms:

Our Story

In 1987, operation began inside a modest, one room storefront on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno. Over the years we have expanded our facility to more than 10,000 square feet of performance and exhibit space becoming Central California's largest non-profit Latino cultural center.

Arte Américas moved into its current building on Van Ness Avenue in 1995 and soon thereafter acquired the adjoining acre of land to further bridge our connection to the community by hosting outdoor cultural programs that are open to the public year round.

When one steps into nuestra casa de la cultura, we want our artists to know one another, our members to learn more about our arts and culture, and our community to feel that this is, indeed, their home.

Mission Statement

To make Central California a flourishing place for Latino arts.

Guiding Principles

Maintain a center where Latino arts can be exhibited, performed, danced, recited, taught and preserved for future generations.

Encourage the development of new works, the examination of issues affecting our Valley,and the initiation of projects that serve our community.

Collaborate with other organizations to bring our communities a new awareness of the wealth of Latino arts and culture

Our Focus

Visual Arts: every few months, we debut a new exhibits (or set of exhibits) in our galleries. Artists range from traditional/folkloric to avant-garde

Dance: Performances recently by Flamenco, folklorico and modern dance ensembles.

Literary Arts: Workshops and featured presentations by poets, authors, writers and novelists that celebrate and educate the community about the Latin cultural experience

Our summer concert series, NIGHTS IN THE PLAZA, features a diverse variety of top-tier musical performances under the stars. The events are hosted in the beautifully landscaped outdoor venue (that measures half a city block) directly adjacent to the cultural center

FEATURES:

Over 10,000+ square feet of multi-purpose space

Three galleries

Classroom spaces

Gift shop

Latino literature/history library

WHAT WE OFFER:

Stimulating new art shows and exhibits in our galleries which change quarterly

"Nights in Plaza Paz" a summer concert series in our huge outdoor venue. The lush green-space features a concert main-stage and a large kiosko as a centerpiece.

Two unique gift shops with authentic Mexican handcrafts, art books, posters, wearables, home decorations, and jewelry.

Our signature Dia de las Madres (Mother's Day) Celebration has grown into a sprawling, sold-out, annual gala event. Guests bring their mothers and 'second moms' to brunch beneath the shade of our tented Plaza and to have them serenaded by mariachis and trios.

Home to a variety of civic, cultural and community benefit organizations, including dozens of folklórico dance academies, The Cultural Arts Rotary Club of Fresno, the Fresno Chapter of AMAE (Association of Mexican American Educators) and groups from Fresno City College and California State University, Fresno.

Seasonal workshops that coincide with gallery exhibits. Past workshops have included toy making, beadwork, ceramics, sugar skull making, folklorico dancing, jewelry making, paper crafts, and other disciplines that celebrate the diverse cultures of The Américas!

STAFF

Dr. Ruben Quesada, Executive Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vivian Velasco Paz, President

Alfredo Robles, Vice President

Victor Chávez, Secretary

Manuel Prieto, Treasurer

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Janie Rostro, Advisory Council Lead

Fernanda Cámara, Member

Thomas-Whit Ellis, Member

Richard Giddens, Member

Sal Gonzáles, Member

Lupita Lomelí, Member

Diana Rodríquez, Member

Lucy Ruiz, Member

Don Simmons, Member

_______________

MAJOR DONORS

Alliance for California Traditional Arts, ACTA

The Bonner Family Foundation

California Arts Council

NEA Art Works

Central Valley Regional Foundation

The James Irvine Foundation

McClatchy Fresno Art Endowment

MAJOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS

James and Coke Hallowell

Dan Martin Family Foundation

PROGRAMMING CONTRIBUTORS

Automated Office Services

The Bonner Family Foundation

The California Endowment

CSUF Internship Program

Fresno County Library

Bertha and John Garabedian Foundation

Edward Kashian

Ruiz Foods, Inc.

State Center Community College District

PLAZA MUSIC SERIES CONTRIBUTORS

Donaghy Sales

Granville Homes

Lisle Funeral Home

The Fresno Bee

Vida en el Valle

Valley PBS

Amtrak

DONORS

Mexican Treasures

Angie Kirsten

Crafts by Amistad, Joaquin and Eva Patiño

Edward Kashian

PARTNERS

Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE)

Aztlán Xpressions

Consulado de México, Fresno

Latinas Unidas, Madera

League of Mexican American Women

Cultural Arts Rotary Club of Fresno

Valley Cultural Coalition

Fresno Cultural Arts District Association

México Mágico

Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

San Francisco International Arts Festival

Media Support

Radio Bilingüe

The Fresno Bee

Valley PBS

Vida en el Valle

YP.com

I Heart Media

88.1-KFCF

90.7-KFSR

KFSN - ABC30

KFTV - Univision21

KGPE - CBS47

KMPH - FOX26

KSEE - NBC24

KVPR (FM89) Valley Public Radio