EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The long-awaited grand opening for the City’s new Mexican American Cultural Center is a little under two months away.
The City’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department announced that the grand opening of the facility will be Saturday, March 22. The center is located at 201 W. Franklin Ave. in Downtown El Paso.
“This is more than just a building. It’s a long-awaited, transformative space that honors and preserves the history, art, and contributions of the Mexican American community,” El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson said. “The MACC will be a cultural landmark, bringing people together to celebrate the rich diversity that makes El Paso such a special place.”
The MACC is “a signature project of the 2012 Quality-of-Life Bond, overwhelmingly approved by voters. The nearly $16 million project developed by the City’s Capital Improvement Department will provide a dynamic venue for the creation, exhibition, and celebration of Mexican American art and culture,” the City said in a news release.
City Manager Dionne Mack added: “The MACC represents the heart of a shared vision, built with deep respect for the cultural identity and creativity that defines El Paso. This center is not just an investment in our present. It’s a promise to future generations that their stories, traditions, and artistic expression will be celebrated and preserved in a world-class space designed for all.”
The MACC’s location in the Downtown Arts district allows for “strong synergy with our museums, performing arts centers, and major festivals, which collectively draw over 1.2 million attendees annually,” Quality of Life Managing Director Ben Fyffe said.
The 40,000-square-foot facility features the following amenities, the City said.:
- An auditorium and black box theater
- A dance studio and recording studio
- A teaching kitchen
- A rooftop event space
- Multi-use classrooms and an artist-in-residence studio
- An exhibition space and community gallery, both debuting exhibits featuring El Paso and regional artists
The MACC’s grand opening will also serve as the celebration of the recently completed improvements to Cleveland Square Park, located next to the MACC, the City said. The day’s festivities will include:
- Guided tours of the MACC
- Hands-on activities from MCAD
- The unveiling of two new exhibitions
- Food trucks
Additional details about the grand opening festivities will be announced in the coming weeks. For more details on the Mexican American Cultural Center, including amenities, space rentals, and hours of operation, visit www.epmacc.org.
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