Established in 2011, La Casita's facilities underwent extensive renovations with support from Syracuse University and funding from the Round 2 Restore New York Communities Initiative.[2] The renovations were guided by architect Jon Lott of Syracuse University, whose interior design drew inspiration from the Rincón Criollo Cultural Center in the Bronx.[3]
La Casita Cultural Center features a variety of facilities designed to support its mission of cultural engagement and education. The center includes an art gallery, a bilingual library, performance and workshop spaces, and areas for community gatherings.[9]
Additionally, La Casita offers workshops and programs for children, such as art classes and storytelling sessions, emphasizing bilingual and multicultural learning.[10]
Research Collaborations
La Casita was selected as one of ten institutions nationally to participate in "Latinos and Baseball: In the Barrios and the Big Leagues," a research initiative by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. The project documented the role of baseball as a social and cultural phenomenon within American Latino communities between 2020 and 2021.[11]
Image of a hallway in La Casita Cultural Center
Digital Collections
La Casita maintains a digital archive hosted by the New York Heritage Digital Collections Archive, featuring oral histories, art, and community stories. A goal of this archive is to preserve the cultural memory of Latino communities in New York state.[12]
Latinos in Baseball: A project exploring the influence of baseball within Latino communities.[14]
Oral History Project: Recorded narratives from local Latino residents, highlighting individual and collective experiences.[15]
Events
La Casita Cultural Center hosts events that celebrate Latino culture and heritage. These include annual celebrations of Latino Heritage Month, art exhibitions, and cultural festivals.[16]
On September 15, 2023, La Casita hosted "Futurismo Latino – Cultural Memory and Imagined Worlds", an art showcase featuring works from Chicano artists Cayetano Valenzuela and Zeke Peña.[17]
In September 2025, La Casita opened "Corpórea", an exhibition focused on themes of healing, identity, and embodiment within the Spanish-Caribbean community.[18] The exhibition was created through a series of "Arts as Mindfulness" workshops facilitated by Bennie Guzmán, and was supported by an $85,000 Creatives Rebuild New York grant. It was curated by Paola Nicole Méndez Soto and is on view through April 18, 2026.[19] The exhibit featured Caribbean food, art, performances, and music acts, including Latin Grammy award winner Pedro Giraudo's tangoquartet.[20]
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