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Changes at IBA's Villa Victoria Center for the Arts
March 23 , 2011

IBA – Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción regretfully announces that Javier Torres is no longer the Program Director at IBA’s Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, effective March 22, 2011.

IBA’s Villa Victoria Center for the Arts is the largest and most significant Latino Cultural Center in New England. Reaching over 20,000 people a year, its mission is to preserve, promote and celebrate Latino art and to create dynamic cross-cultural collaborations. Awarded National Endowment for the Arts grants in 2008, 2009 and 2010; we present the broad diversity of Latino and Latin American cultural expression in a variety of disciplines (music, dance, visual arts), while using arts and culture as tools for self-transformation and community building.

It is with warmest personal regards that we wish Javier success as he assumes his new position as the Senior Program Officer for Arts and Culture at The Boston Foundation. During Javier’s five year tenure, IBA’s arts program has gained increasing recognition, as we earned honors that included: the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Commonwealth Award (2011); Berklee College of Music Urban Service Award (2010); Citizen’s Bank Champion in Action (2009); and Boston Center for the Arts Champion Award (2007). We also have created a capital plan and raised nearly $1 million dollars for improvements of the physical infrastructure of our facility, which was built in 1898.

Building upon our recent successes and long history of arts engagement; IBA’s Strategic Plan 2015 will further develop our integration of arts and culture into community development. Our focus will be to enhance our impact upon Villa Victoria residents through the power of the arts. Understanding that art is integral to Latino Culture, we will integrate arts into all of our programs in order to engage community, enhance cultural pride, shape identity, increase cross-cultural understanding and improve educational outcomes. Taking advantage of the largest multi-disciplinary Latino arts and culture center in New England; we will work to better coordinate arts activities between all IBA programs and develop a common arts curriculum that is based upon the community’s interests.

Stay tuned for an announcement about future opportunities to work with IBA’s arts program. DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE

Latino Center Caters to a Multi-ethnic South End
February 4, 2011
Mich Cardin, South End Patch

An unassuming church sits on the quiet side of West Newton Street in Boston’s South End. Behind the twin red doors is Villa Victoria Center for the Arts – the only multi-disciplinary Latino arts complex in New England. Adding to the contradiction, this Latino-based organization will be hosting events for both Black History Month and the Chinese New Year in February. READ MORE >>

A song and dance for the ‘Queen’
December 12, 2010
Mike Roberts, MYSouthEnd.com
Loved ones gather to celebrate the life of community leader Felita Oyola.
After 86 selfless, vibrant years dedicated to public service, beloved Puerto Rican arts leader Felita Oyola peacefully departed from this life on Monday, Dec. 6. As she requested, her wake, held Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Villa Victoria Center for the Arts (85 W. Newton St.), featured performances from the community that she so passionately taught and supported - singers, musicians and dancers - in a heartfelt farewell to an incredible legacy. READ MORE >>

Showstopperz stealing the show
November 23, 2010
Victoria Kichuk, MYSouthEnd.com
Local dance troupe combines new with old, comes away with life lessons.
None of them have ever been on national stage, and few have any formal dance training, but these girls don’t just think they can dance, they know it. READ MORE >>

Fire ignited
November 23, 2010
Melanie Garber, MYSouthEnd.com
Youth have a say in their art. “They decided the walls needed to be spiced up," the director of youth programming, Julio Cesar Roman, explained from the Villa Victoria Center for the Arts gallery. READ MORE >>

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Villa Victoria Center for the Arts
October 1, 2010
Caterina Nelson, Examiner.com
From the Villa Victoria Center for the Arts website: "Enjoy delicious Latin food and performances by Carlos Juan “El Lunático” and his ensemble. Experience the very best of traditional Puerto Rican Jíbaro music and New England’s premiere gaita ensemble VeneGaita who will perform contagious beats from Venezuela. A definite MUST-SEE!". READ MORE >>

Rating the rater
September 21, 2010
Kate Vander Wiede, MySouthEnd.com Contributor
Businesses give Yelp a tentative thumbs upOn September 13, Yelp kicked off "Yelp’s Passport to the South End" with a party at Villa Victoria Center for the Arts (85 W. Newton St.), marking the start of a week of discounts and deals in the community. READ MORE >>

Different brand of salsa
July 20, 2010
Ming Pimhatai Tiemchayapum, MySouthEnd.com Contributor
People of all ages, races and genders enjoyed the first annual LGBTQ free salsa lesson Thursday, July 15, at O’ Day Park, 85 West Newton St. The lesson, hosted by Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, Berklee College of Music, Queer Women of Color (QWOC+) and Men of Color Creating Change (MOCCC), took place before the second performance of the 2010 Tito Puente Latin Music Series. READ MORE >>