Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory BoardSept. 10, 2025

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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 Spanish- language theatre companies. 09 What We Are Proposing for FY 2027 Expand LAAP in FY 2027 to include: Hiring dedicated production staff (lights, sound). Creating an Incubator Model with residencies for 3-4 Latino and Spanish-language performing arts groups (residency cohort). Providing micro-grants or in-kind support for marketing and production. MACC Theatre Equity Incubator A pilot program designed to close long-standing gaps with immediate solutions while preparing the MACC for scalable, equity-driven theatre operations in Phase 3. 10 What We Are Proposing for MACC Phase 3 Expansion (Bond Election 2026) The Key to Our Support for the MACC Bond CAAST will support the MACC bond effort if equity metrics are written into Phase 3 expansion, building on our work in FY26. CAAST commitment: Support MACC’s bond effort publicly Mobilize Latino artists & audiences to participate in community meetings Advocate for equity metrics in Phase 3 11 Next Steps Fall 2025: Partner with MACC staff on proposed LAAP expansion adjustments for FY27. 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 Fall 2025: Meet 1:1 with board members to solidify proposal. Jan. 2026: Share final proposal with MACC Advisory Board. Feb. 2026: MACC Advisory Board votes to approve proposal. March 2026: MACC Advisory Board submits budget recommendations to COA. 2026: CAAST to advocate for Phase 3 Bond package to include Latino performing arts, including Spanish-language theatre. 12 12 Our Request to the Board Partner with CAAST and MACC staff to expand LAAP in FY 2027 with an incubator model for Latino and Spanish-language theatre groups. Recognize equity as a guiding principle for Phase 3 expansion. Invite CAAST back in Jan. 2026 to present budget and program recommendations for FY 2027. 13 Questions? 14 National Models Los Angeles Theatre Center (Latino Theatre Company partnership) Space is owned by city of LA, leased, run and maintained by LATC Latino Cultural Center, Dallas City-run center with long-term resident companies Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, Seattle City facility and anchored cultural nonprofit Chicago Cultural Center residencies City-run incubator/residency model Miami-Dade co-presentation model County-managed co-presentation house. City centers can co-produce, co-present, and amplify Latino/Spanish-language arts sustainably 15 Why Now? MACC reopening in 2025 = unique moment Austin’s Latino community needs cultural belonging and visibility Latino and Spanish-language arts = equity + wellbeing for community Opportunity to lead the nation in language equity 16