IMPACT REPORT
Message from Jacobo Lovo, Managing Artistic Director
Dear Friends,
At Latino Arts, we are committed to celebrating and embracing Latin American heritage through the arts. We take great care and pride curating every season to represent the vast diversity and wealth of traditions within the Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous cultures that are at the heart of who we are as a people.
As a mission-focused, non-profit, cultural arts organization, one of our biggest assets is the trust that our community affords us and it is why we remain committed to celebrating and embracing our shared identity through art.
I’m happy to present this Impact Report to recognize the depth, breadth, and quality of work featured in our gallery as well as local, national, and international acts that have brought so much joy to our stage and community. Our goal is that Latino Arts serves as a pathway to create more united and empathetic communities where we honor each other's cultural heritage and invite all regardless of cultural background to connect and learn.
We are also proud to celebrate the Latino Arts Strings Program, under the direction of its founder, Dinorah Márquez, who has built an exceptional music program that is rooted in cultural music traditions and world-class classical pedagogy. This program has been cultivating talented musicians for more than 20 years, providing them with the discipline and drive to be future leaders in our diverse society.
On a personal note, as an immigrant, I remain grateful for the opportunity and privilege to be part of the cultural arts in Milwaukee. Serving the community that welcomed my family and I in the mid 80’s fills me with great pride and a sense of responsibility to continue to make Latino Arts a place where we can all see ourselves and celebrate our heritage together.
Jacobo Lovo Managing Artistic Director
MISSION
•To strengthen and preserve the cultural heritage of the diverse Hispanic community in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
•To increase cultural awareness and diversity by offering performances, exhibits, and education in the areas of music, visual arts, dance and literature to the greater Milwaukee community.
IMPACT SNAPSHOT
Latino Arts is grateful to share our mission with thousands of visitors every year who experience culturally enriching gallery exhibits, mesmerizing performances, educational experiences, and thought-provoking discussions. Latino Arts visitors come not just from Milwaukee, but across Wisconsin and neighboring states to immerse themselves in Latino Arts’ thoughtful authentic programming.
5,000 visitors to our gallery per year
Nearly 700 students attend workshops every year
Roughly
1,800
300 audience members attend educational talks and tours annually
More than visitors to our auditorium for live performances every year
The variety of genres, styles, and programs offered at Latino Arts ensures that every experience is unique, even for frequent visitors. The goal is to leave our audience with a new understanding and appreciation for the art while authentically learning more about the Hispanic culture in a thoughtful and immersive way.
PERFORMANCE GENRES
Cumbia, Salsa, Flamenco, Mexican Folk, Marimba, Latin Jazz, Bolero, Son Jarocho, Classical Guitar, Afro-Caribbean, Mariachi, and many more!
“The sense of Latino community and love for art. I want to keep visiting. This was GREAT and enriching experience!!!”
“Amazing night of phenomenal music and art. I was moved to tears a few times!”
“The whole show helped me feel connected and fully alive”
VISUAL ARTS
Printmaking, Indigenous art, Painting, Artisan corn husk and flowers, Sculpture, Illustration, Multimedia and Video, Ceramics, Textile
OUR ARTISTS
During my residency at Latino Arts, I was also able to share my experience with students that are learning Mariachi music. Our conversations and connections were valued and I truly believe we impacted the students’ lives as much as they enriched and impacted ours. I hope and pray that programs and communities like Latino Arts continue to thrive because their impact is essential to life, community, and unity.
-Lupita Infante, Singer, Songwriter, GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-nominated recording artist.
As a Latin American I really felt in connection with my culture and roots and I am convinced that Latino Arts, Inc. is of special importance for the Latin American community in Milwaukee as it stimulates the central nervous system of individuals and takes them back to their space-time for a moment. I hope that it continues to be such a great resource and blessing to our people.
have spaces like Latino Arts, Inc. where the community feels at home and can celebrate their culture, feel empowered, and educate the community about our rich history, tradition, and arts.
LATINO ARTS STRINGS PROGRAM
The award-winning Latino Arts Strings Program (LASP) was established in 2002 by Program Director, Dinorah Márquez, to educate the next generation of artists. This pre-college music training program provides students with instruments, music materials, individual lessons, orchestra, and Mariachi ensemble lessons every week, all for a fee of $150 per school year.
Each year, the program reaches more than 200 children, ages five through eighteen, who may not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from serious music instruction, which includes solid technical foundation and classical training. Central to the LASP program is cultural exploration and connection to heritage, which students discover through a mix of classical and Latin American folk music.
Many LASP students have received scholarships to the best high schools and even colleges in the area with several continuing their musical education in college and pursuing a career in music.
PAST HIGHLIGHTS
Performing for President Obama
Collaborating and performing with Grammy-nominated musicians including Los Texmaniacs, Lupita Infante, Las Migas, Los Villalobos Brothers, and more Giving more than 500 performances in venues around Milwaukee and nationwide
Performing at the Wisconsin State Capitol for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration
Featured on an album of Grammy-winning band, La Santa Cecilia
Annual performances at Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee
Earning the highest points in their division at the Mariachi Extravaganza International Competition in Albuquerque, N.M.
Performing at the Mexican Embassy in Rome, Italy
Growing up with a violin in my hands has been a blessing. It has allowed me to walk in paths that I never imagined possible. Going to the White House, meeting the President of the United States, and then sitting a couple of seats from him at the White House theater in the East Wing is not something that happens to every middle school Latina!
- Gabriela
The Strings Program has helped me find who I am and discover myself. Before I used to be really shy, and not speak up for myself. I feel that my violin has given me a voice. When I play, I find I have a voice.
– Marianna
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND ENRICHMENT
Latino Arts educational programming provides hands-on, authentic, immersive experiences for students and groups to learn about a new culture outside the walls of their classroom.
Workshop
Roughly 2,900 students visit Latino Arts Per Year
More than 70 schools across Wisconsin and Illinois Visit Latino Arts annually
Workshop
Sample of Schools Reached
of the Dead Workshop
Within 10 miles
Albert E. Kagel School
Notre Dame School
Atwater Elementary
Eastbrook Academy
Bayside Middle School
South Division High School
Pulaski High School
St. Augustine Prepatory Academy
Shorewood High School
Riverside High School
West Allis Central High School
UW-Milwaukee
Marquette University
Within 2 Hours
WHAT TEACHERS HAVE TO SAY!
“The workshops at Latino Arts allow my students to experience Hispanic culture in an engaging way. They also benefit from listening to different Spanish speakers and using their language skills outside the classroom.”
“Latino Arts’ commitment to promote Hispanic culture is extremely valuable in our community. It allows individuals and students to understand Hispanic culture more deeply.”
“Latino Arts offered our students new perspectives, inspirational stories, a greater understanding of the world around us, and FUN!”
100% of teachers strongly agree this program assisted with their curriculum, allowing an in-depth view of Hispanic cultural arts.
80% of teachers strongly agree attending a field trip at Latino Arts exposed their students to an authentic cultural experience.
Teachers choose Latino Arts because of...
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
Core to our mission of building cultural bridges, Latino Arts seeks to work alongside other organizations, both within the arts scene and more broadly in the community. Partnerships expand the reach of Latino Arts, helping create a more diverse and collaborative environment for all Milwaukeeans. Recent projects include:
In partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks, a Hispanic Heritage mural was created by local artist, Yesi Perez, and painted at Latino Arts. Additionally, the Milwaukee Bucks Hispanic Resource Group enjoys our programming to embrace and learn more about the culture.
Through a partnership with Bader Philanthropies and La Famila de Arte, a community-based non-profit, hands-on workshops with local artisans helped students and elderly in the community create pieces of a permanent public art installation at Bruce-Guadalupe Community School.
Bucks Day of the Dead Pinto con Tinto
Yesi Pérez, Bucks Mural
BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS
Through exhibiting new artists and providing opportunities for young artists and artists-in-training to learn and showcase their work at Latino Arts, we are proud to play an active role in strengthening and building the local arts ecosystem in Milwaukee.
We aim to include emerging artists in several of our featured events, while encouraging students to create art to be displayed in our gallery with our annual student exhibition.
An annual gallery exhibit that started in 2013 to highlight the artwork of students from local schools and organizations, this exhibit has become a fan favorite with teachers and students bringing passion and creativity to demonstrate their understanding of some “big ideas” in society including: equality, identity, community, gentrification, climate change, making a difference, etc.
This exhibit showcased the incredible talent of Bruce-Guadalupe Community School alumni, who, after discovering their love of art while attending the school, went on to pursue art as a career. Latino Arts has a proud connection to the United Community Center, and this event was a true celebration of the next generation of creative individuals blazing their own path in the arts scene locally and nationally.
Big Idea X: A Decade of Creative Treasures
Home Grown: Cultivado Aquí
Our generous and dedicated supporters appreciate the need for authentic cultural experiences and have made our successful history possible.
Latino Arts relies on the financial support of donors, stakeholders, and audience members to continue providing these unique experiences. Latino Arts believes learning about other cultures unites people in finding commonalities rather than differences.
Please consider getting involved in Latino Arts and support our effort to build bridges.
• Become a sustaining supporter
• Make donation or tribute/memorial gift
• Attend an event or performance
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