We’re very pleased to announce that Taller Puertorriqueño in Philadelphia will be a new Professional Development Program partner this April, when we will host a Spanish-language workshop there.
In exploring their website, it’s clear how dedicated Taller is to enriching the lives of the Latino community in Philadelphia, and we’re delighted to become a part of their mission! Their site describes the evolution of Taller as an institution, explaining that it’s grown from “a grassroots, Puerto Rican graphic arts community center to a respected institution that celebrates the arts of Puerto Rico, Latin America and the Caribbean. Providing an outlet for neighborhood children and youth, by providing after-school activities and programming rich in artistic and cultural discipline, remains central to the organization’s ongoing work.”

We spoke with Carmen Febo, Taller Puertorriqueño’s Executive Director, and her goals for her artists match up remarkably well to those of Creative Capital’s Professional Development Program. She says that, “Taller is committed and always eager to make use of resources we can provide to our artists. Central to our mission, and our work is the task of opening opportunities to artists as professionals.”
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Taller is the wide range of programming they offer not only to artists but also to the community as a whole. Their event calendar includes gallery exhibitions, literary events, workshops, festivals, art educational programs and more. One only has to see Taller’s Sounds and Rhythms of Resistance, which took place this past April, to witness the vibrancy of their community.

Febo also described the gaps that our workshop will fill in their community, from “providing a quality affordable professional development opportunity and making it accessible in terms of location and time [to] gathering a group of Latino artists with similar needs, issues and experiences that can learn together from the presenters as well as enhance the experience from each other.” PDP’s ultimate goal in our workshops is also this sense of camaraderie among artists while they learn the skills needed to build their careers.
Creative Capital is proud to partner with Taller Puertorriqueño, “el corazón cultural del barrio.”