Hester Street is co-hosting an event with El Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico (El MAC) in San Juan on Sunday, January 26th in recognition of the work we have been doing with local artists, activists and communities. The Hester Street team has been collaborating with El MAC since 2018 (with support from the National Endowment for the Arts) to explore the role that art has played in advancing self-determination and social, climate and racial justice within marginalized communities.
The event will feature two panel discussions to promote rich conversations between artists, urban planners and community activists. The first panel will highlight the ways in which art and culture preserve heritage and memory, reaffirm community identity and prevent neighborhood displacement. The second discussion will explore how cultural institutions can support this type of work and how they can continue to build meaningful relationships with their communities.
We hope you will be able join for a day of reflection on memory and recovery for Puerto Rico – attached is a flyer with more information. The day will also feature more in-depth conversations, community walking tours, videos, music, food and celebrations.