REGULAR MEETING of the EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6:00 PM Permitting and Development Center – Event Center, First Floor, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. To speak in person, registration is required at least 10 min prior to the start of the meeting. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register call or email the board liaison at 512-974-3771 or michelle.rojas@austintexas.gov BOARD MEMBERS Angelica Navarro, Chair (D-8) Lillian “Lily” Zamarripa-Saenz, Vice Chair (Mayor) Hilario “Larry” Amaro, Member (D-10) Anthony Martinez, Member (D-4) Noemi Castro, Member (D-2) Lynda Quintana, Member (D,6) Alexander “Al” Duarte, Member (D-7) Raul “Roy” Reyna, Member (D-1) John Estrada, Member (D-3) Selma Sanchez, Member (D-9) Cynthia “Cy” Herrera, Member (D-5) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a (3) three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Regular Meeting of August 6, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on staffing updates, August and September programs, marketing and outreach efforts, and updates on signature event planning. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Olivia Tamzarian, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Marketing & Outreach Representative and Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Manager 3. Staff briefing on the Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME) Creative Reset Phase 2 community engagement and timeline. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Marion Sanchez, Interim Communications and Engagement, Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Update on Phase 2 Construction Project. (Sponsors: Navarro, Zamarripa-Saenz) Presenter(s): Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Manager DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Presentation by Iván Dávila from the Coalition for Austin's Arts & Spanish-language Theater (CAAST). (Sponsors: Estrada, Reyna) Presenter(s): Iván Dávila, Founder of Coalition for Austin’s Arts & Spanish- language Theater (CAAST) WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from Music Hub Programming …
EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025 The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at City Hall – Board and Commissions Room located at 301 West Second Street in Austin, Texas 78701. (Some members of the ESB-MACC Advisory Board participated via videoconference.) Chair Navarro called the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Meeting to order at 6:08pm. Board Members in Attendance: Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Angelica Navarro, Chair Cynthia “Cy” Herrera, Member Lillian “Lily” Zamarripa-Saenz, Vice Chair Hilario “Larry” Amaro, Member Noemi Castro, Member Alexander “Al” Duarte, Member (Arrived at 6:43pm) John Estrada, Member Lynda Quintana, Member Raul “Roy” Reyna, Member Selma Sanchez, Member Board Members Absent: Anthony Martinez, Member Staff in Attendance: Marjorie Flanagan, PARD Division Manager of Museums and Cultural Programs Michelle Rojas, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Manager Marie Ortiz, ESB-MACC Culture and Arts Education Supervisor Tina Davila, ESB-MACC Administrative Specialist PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speaker 1: Iván Dávila, Founder of Coalition for Austin's Arts & Spanish-language Theater (CAAST), shared that he lived in Austin for over 20 years and that during that time, he performed with Teatro Vivo, a Latino theater comedy project. Through that experience, he had witnessed firsthand the challenges that Latino artists-particularly Spanish-language artists-face in Austin. Those challenges ultimately inspired him to join forces with other Spanish-language artists to form CAAST. Dávila emphasized there was a lack of dedicated space, production support, sustainable funding, and infrastructure necessary for artists to develop their work both responsibly and artistically. He requested the board include CAAST on their September 10, 1 2025, agenda to present their pilot proposal and to vote on the creation of an infrastructure working group made up of artists and board members. Speaker 2: Anjanette Gautier Castro introduced herself as a business owner, actress, artist, and member of CAAST. She stated that she was present to respectfully request the Board’s support in forming a working group to explore an initiative that aligns closely with the mission and strategic goals of the ESB-MACC. The proposed initiative would focus on expanding production support and creating dedicated opportunities for Spanish-language performing artists. She expressed her belief that the MACC had the potential to bridge the cultural gap and truly serve as a home for artists. Speaker 3: Karla Gutierrez, theater actress, producer and member of CAAST …
9.10.25 MACC Sta(cid:431) Report – Website - Facebook - Instagram Please share our social media posts, sign up for our newsletter, and check out our upcoming events! Casa de la Cultura We have a new name for these programs! Holistic Wellness Programs are now under “Casa de la Cultura”. Past: All-Levels Yoga: Saturdays @ 10:30-11:30am Southeast Library Attendance: 70 Focuses on body awareness, connection with the breath, with gentle movement, and time for meditation and relaxation. The library has mats to share. Learn to Kayak: Every Second Wednesday @ 6pm-7:30pm Austin Rowing Club Attendance: 11 Join us on Lady Bird Lake and paddle through the heart of Downtown Austin . Choose a single or double kayak or paddleboard. Chair Yoga: 3rd Wed o(cid:31) each month @ 10am Dove Springs Recreation Center Attendance: 11 A gentle form of yoga that can be done seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people with various physical abilities. Chair Yoga: 3rd Friday o(cid:31) each month @ 10am Windsor Park Branch Attendance: 7 A gentle form of yoga that can be done seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people with various physical abilities. Upcoming: All-Levels Yoga: Saturdays @ 10:30-11:30am Southeast Library Focuses on body awareness, connection with the breath, with gentle movement, and time for meditation and relaxation. The library has mats to share. Learn to Kayak: Every Second Wednesday @ 6pm-7:30pm Austin Rowing Club Join us on Lady Bird Lake and paddle through the heart of Downtown Austin. Choose a single or double kayak or paddleboard. Chair Yoga: 3rd Wed o(cid:31) each month @ 10am Dove Springs Recreation Center ----------------------------------------------------------- Chair Yoga: 3rd Friday o(cid:31) each month @ 10am Windsor Park Branch A gentle form of yoga that can be done seated in a chair. These modifications make yoga accessible to people with various physical abilities. Youth and Family Education The Educa(cid:415)on team has been hard at work preparing for our upcoming a(cid:332)er-school programs and community outreach events. We are con(cid:415)nuing our partnership with the Lending Library program to bring MACC-(cid:415)vi(cid:415)es to recrea(cid:415)on centers across Aus(cid:415)n, expanding access to cultural arts programming. The Smart Kids program, in partnership with Communi(cid:415)es in Schools, will also resume on October 6. In addi(cid:415)on to a(cid:332)er-school ini(cid:415)a(cid:415)ves, the team is preparing engaging ac(cid:415)vi(cid:415)es for community events. For this year’s El Grito celebra(cid:415)on at Republic Square (6–9pm), we will host hands-on art …
CULTURAL AND MUSEUM FACILITIES: AUTHENTICALLY AUSTIN Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment Department Creative Reset Initiative Phase II-Presentation EMMA S. BARRIENTOS MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ADVISORY BOARD Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Permitting and Development Center DRAFT 2025-09-08 SECTIONS: • Deliverables • Research Foundation • Engagement Foundations • Marketing and Outreach • Questions, comments, feedback 2 DELIVERABLES FINAL DELIVERABLES RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT CLOSE-OUT TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY, TRUST, ACCESSIBILITY, AND LONG-TERM USABILITY, THE FOLLOWING TOOLS WILL BE PRODUCED AND SHARED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE ENGAGEMENT AND RESEARCH PROCESS: Summary of Findings Report: A clear and accessible report that includes: • Demographic overview of participants • • Community-identified needs, aspirations, and recommendations • Visuals (e.g., charts, quotes, photos) to highlight findings Key themes and insights from engagement Open Data Publication: All de-identified raw data (e.g., survey results, coded themes, engagement activity responses) will be published on the City of Austin’s Open Data Portal to support transparency and future analysis. PublicInput.com Engagement Page: The engagement portal will house: • All background materials and translated content • Meeting notes and activity summaries • Archived surveys and engagement tools Links to final deliverables and next steps • Interactive Dashboard (Pending support): A dynamic, filterable dashboard that allows users to explore data based on variables of selected attributes, such as: • • Cultural Centers’ Comparison Card: A tool that compares resources and activities among cultural and Museum Engagement Data: Geographic area, language, type of engagement, and emerging themes facilities Visual Installation of Community Thoughts: A tangible collage to be used as a backdrop for inspiration and action anchoring. Final Presentations: A visual presentation (PowerPoint or PDF) summarizing the process, participation, and outcomes— designed for use with City leadership, staff, community, etc. 4 RESEARCH FOUNDATION LIST OF FACILITIES Note: All faculties will receive the engagement activities as outlined in the plan, unless a note is added. The Connelly-Yerwood “Pink House” is waiting for confirmation from leadership. Cultural Centers: •Asian American Resource Center (AARC) •Dougherty Arts Center (DAC) •Emma S Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) •George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural & Genealogy Center (Carver and Genealogy) Museums: •Elizabet Ney Museum •Susanna Dickinson Museum (Brush Square Museums) •The O’Henry Museum (Bursh Square Museums) •UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum (UMLAUF, management contract, limited activities to include survey and one staff engagement meeting) Historical Facilities: •African American Cultural & Heritage Facility + Dedrick Hamilton House (AACHF) •Montopolis Negro School (The …
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Phase 2 Improvements Project Update September 10, 2025 Heidi Tse, Capital Delivery Project Manager PROJECT TIMELINE: ESB MACC Groundbreaking for Phase 2 Improvements / Move-Out Began– 12/10/22. • • Parking Lot Closure – 3/10/23. • Contractor Mobilization/Pre-construction Inspections – Began 3/11/23. • Permitting (Site) – Approved on 7/25/23. • Bidding & Negotiation (GMP1/Site) – Executed contract on 8/28/23. • Construction (Site) – Underway since 8/28/23. • Permitting (Building) – Approved on 3/4/24. • Bidding & Negotiation (GMP2/Building) – Executed contract on 3/7/24. • Construction (Site + Building) – Currently underway. • AIPP ESB-MACC Phase 2 – Artist(s) selection approval by Austin City Council on 8/29/24 • • Building dry-in – Process of ensuring the building envelope is weather sealed is expected September. Topping Out – Topmost structural beam was lifted into place on 9/11/24. CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS: • • • • Zocalo paver installation 90% complete. Landscape installation 75% complete. Site furnishings bike racks and benches installation in progress. Interior ceiling, flooring and lighting installation 90% complete. • Plumbing fixtures installation 75% complete. • Kitchen appliances installed. • Window shades and acoustical panels installation 80%. • Data, and security installation in progress. ANNOUNCEMENTS: • Katherine Telley and Ruben Esquivel, the awarded artists for ESB MACC Phase 2, Art in Public Places (AIPP) project are working on the design of their titled piece, Arcos de Conexión. Please visit AIPP website for more announcements. • Concrete pours will continue. Work hours will adhere to the City’s noise ordinance. Ordinance information can be found here. • The Confluence, a separate public/private partnership project is using the parking lot as construction access point for the east side of the creek delta. Improvements are also being made to provide connection between the MACC and The Confluence at the west edge of the parking lot. Additional information can be found here. • Drone video illustrating ESB MACC site work can be found here. SCHEDULED MILESTONES: • Construction began – August 28, 2023 • Anticipated completion of all major construction activity – September 2025 • Anticipated reopening – November 1, 2025 Please note that as in any construction project, schedules are projected as accurately as possible, but all dates are subject to change due to the nature of construction and weather. For information on ESB MACC programs and staff relocations during construction, visit the MACC webpage: www.austintexas.gov/department/emma-s-barrientos-mexican-american-cultural-center For project updates, visit …
e r t a e h T e g a u g n a L - h s i n a p S d n a s t r A s n i t s u A r o f n o i t i l ’ a o C Sept. 10, 2025 Presentation to the ESB MACC Advisory Board Iván Dávila Karla Zodapop Soledad Bautista Overview 01 02 03 04 05 06 Who We Are Our History The Problem 2027 FY Proposal MACC Phase 3 Expansion Our Request to the Board Who We Are A coalition of Latino and Spanish-language performing artists and companies with local and national acclaim that have been making theatre for more than 20 years. 03 Our Objective Build equity, coordination, and infrastructure for Latino and Spanish-language performing arts in Austin. 01 Our Vision Purpose: Develop existing infrastructure at the MACC and City level to create coordination of resources that supports Latino and Spanish-language performing arts in Austin, helping achieve equity and building a city that is more welcoming to all. 02 Our History Chicano Movement (1970s): call for a Latino cultural space Mayor Gus García: champion for Latino inclusion Austin Latino Theatre Alliance (1990s): united Latino theatre and advanced the ESB MACC vision 2007: Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center opens after decades of advocacy 04 Austin Today Between fiscal years 2015 and 2021, White-led organizations received approximately $37 million (57.4%) in funding, over six times the $6 million (9.3%) awarded to Latinx-led groups.* Despite being the fastest-growing demographic and representing 33% of Austin's population, the Latino community receives only 9% of the funding, highlighting a significant disparity. 05 *Source: City of Austin Economic Development Department Total Investment - Concerns of Inequitable Distribution* *Data shows self-reported leadership/staff demographics FY15-FY 21 only. We recognize this is only one indicator 06 Source: City of Austin Economic Development Department WhiteNo Single GroupLatinXMulti-RacialAsianBlackNative AmericanHawaiian$0$10,000,000$20,000,000$30,000,000$40,000,000 The Problem Spanish-language performing arts companies do not have equitable access to: Production infrastructure (lights, sound, tech) Consistent rehearsal/performance space Systematized city support 07 Our Vision for Addressing the Problem A vibrant Austin performing arts scene that reflects and celebrates all of its cultural heritage and is integrated into the city operation, and can garner private and foundation support for sustainability. 08 How It Aligns with ESB MACC’s Vision MACC as an incubator and a production hub for established and/or emerging Latino and …
