Unidos por el Arte: COVID Response

Despite the countless challenges of 2020, Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center has been able to unite artists, community members, and audiences from far and wide to showcase and celebrate Latinx and Hispanic arts & culture. As we continue on the path towards our vision for shared community spaces at Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, we have started renovations to the house that lives on our campus. Funds raised will go towards updating the house into a flexible space for arts events, gallery shows, artist workshops, studios, shared meals, community programs, or whatever the community of artists needs while being mindful of COVID-19 precautions. Updates will include new electrical wiring throughout the house, an updated kitchen space, installation of new security systems and cleaning protocols before and after community engagements. Another facet of the COVID precautions we want to consider is equipping the house with free wifi to help facilitate virtual programs, or for artists and collective members in need of a stable internet connection during continued shutdowns. Learn more about Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center at our website: www.juliadeburgos.org

First step is to hire a local electrician to update wiring, fixtures, and outlets throughout the house. Then we will set up a wifi connection in the house, and promote that as a resource to community members. New security systems will be installed with key code access for artists and community members. On December 19th, we will open the house during a free Community event on campus, featuring the latest renovations and develop feedback for next steps. In the Spring of 2021, we aim to move into painting and exterior renovations to the house.

The house is a response to the need we have seen for improved connectivity, shared resources, and communal spaces. When we first opened the house to the neighborhood during September’s Heritage Month celebration, we were able to see that the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center can still bring people together, despite the distance, to celebrate our similarities, our differences, and the vibrant and deep culture of Cleveland’s Latinx community of families, artists and neighbors. The next steps for the house include setting up free wifi for the house as a direct response to the demand for connectivity and internet access in our city. Investing in this house is an investment in our community, their needs, and the way we can share space together, Unidos.