VLACC 2021 Annual Report by VLACC

L A U N AN T R O P E R

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VLACC ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE LAND ON WHICH IT OPERATES IS THE UNCEDED AND ANCESTRAL TERRITORIES OF THE MUSQUEAM, SQUAMISH AND TSLEIL-WAUTUTH NATIONS.

THE VANCOUVER LATIN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTRE SOCIETY - VLACC - IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EDUCATION AND CULTURAL LEGACY OF ALL CANADIANS BY EXPLORING AND SHARING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF LATIN AMERICAN ARTS AND CULTURES.

DEAR VLACC FRIENDS,

A LETTER FROM T EXECUTIVE DIRECT HE OR

It is with immense pleasure and pride that we present our 2021 Annual Report. The second year of the Covid-19 pandemic kept us fairly isolated, and again we relied on Zoom to deliver a large part of our programming. Online events have their perks: we reached a wider audience, encompassing our region, province, and many other Canadian cities. This also allowed us to deliver more free events while prioritizing artistic excellence. Lastsummer,wewereKnallyabletomeetagain.ItwasabeautifulsighttogathersomanyfamiliesatVictoria Park for fun Saturday mornings, with music, puppets, and crafts. Other highlights of the year were the groundbreakingseriesoftalkswepresentedinpartnershipwiththeVancouverPublicLibrary:Racism(s):Latin AmericaandIdentity;theannouncementofCarmenRodríguezasourHonoraryElder;andanunforgettable OrpheumconcertwithAlexuba, C whowentontowinaGrammyforbestLatinalbumoftheyear.In2021,many strong connections were made, mainly through the language of the rich and diverse Latin American arts, and alsothroughmeaningfulconversations,bothformalandmorecasual. Thisyear,wehavestrivedtobettercommunicateourmandateandvisionthroughallofouractions.Wewishto keepyoubetterinformedofourprogramsandthestatusofourplansforaphysicalfacility.Tobemoree)ective inthislattergoal,wecommissionedaCommunicationsStrategyplanthathasalreadybegunitsimplementation. That includes a new version of our logo with this tagline: Building a Future Home for Latin American Culture. Therearemanyexcitingactivities,programs,andopportunitiesstilltocomein2022.Ourboardandsta)are mostexcitedaboutoneparticularlysigniKcantopportunity:thepotentialinclusionofVLCin A Britannia’s rezoningandrevitalizationplan.We’vebeenexploringthisoptioninconversationswithallthegroupsinvolved intheproject,andwiththecommunityingeneral.eanwhile, M ourpartnershipwithBritanniacontinues.We couldn’tbehappierabouttheworkwehavebeendevelopingtogether,takingLatinAmericanartstotheEast SideofVancouver. On a personal note, I am immensely thankful to all of you for taking such profound interest in what we do, and for making time to read this report. Your questions and comments are always welcome, so please send me a note atlili@vlacc.caifyou’dliketoscheduleacall. Withgratitude…obrigada..gracias,

LiliVieiradeCarvalho

WE ARE IMMENSELY THANKFUL TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

G N I M M A R G O R P N I 2021 S E I T I V I T AND AC Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, VLChas A grownits

audiencesthroughpartnerships,onlinepresentations,andthinking“outsidethebox”.VLChas A been growingatafastpaceinrecentyears,havingtripleditsbudgetsince2018:areLectionofthegrowthinprogram o)erings,communitysupportandattendance,andprofessionalizationofourSociety. Ouraudiencenearlydoubledfrom2020to2021. In 2021 our line-up of programs included the following events and activities:

Racism(s): Latin America and Identity

A 7-event online series exploring the diversity of identities that form the Latin American experience This series was presentedinpartnershipwiththeVancouverPublicLibrary,whichbroadenedour reach and allowed us to connect with a wider audience. It generated many meaningful conversation.YoucanviewtheeventsonVLC’s A YouTubechannel. SomeofthespeakersincludedSilvioosé J AlbuquerqueeSilva,memberoftheUnited NationsCommitteeontheEliminationofRacialDiscrimination;asari K Govender, BC’sHumanRightsCommissioner;CarmenAguirre,award-winningChileanCanadian author, actor, playwright: and Nuno Porto, curator at the Museum of Anthropology. WatchtheeventsonVLC’s A YouTubeChannel

Tertulia Lecture Series (2 events)Atertulia(Spanish:[te ɾˈtulja], Portuguese:

tertulia ɨɾˈtuliɐ]) [t isasocialgatheringwithliteraryorartisticovertones,especially inLatinAmerica.Thisyear’sonlineeventsshowcasedlesser-knownaspectsofLatin American Culture.

Latin American Short Stories Reading Club (monthly; 6 events)

odelled M onthetraditionalbookclub,thisreadinggroupfocusesonLatinAmerican shortstories(translatedtoEnglish).InpartnershipwiththeLatinAmericanStudies DepartmentofUBC,thesesessionsareagreatgeneratorofcommunitydialogue. The professors curate the selection of stories and moderate the meetings.

Open Doors to Art studio Visits (monthly; 5 events) Canadian Latin American artists, virtually or in person, opened the doors to their workspaces or exhibitions.Ledbyart historian Miret Rodríguez, who interviews the artists and invites the audience to ask questions. In partnership with Curated Tastes.

Reading by Carmen RodríguezwardA winningbilingualwriter,educator,and

journalist Carmen Rodríguez read from her newest novel ATACAMA, which was releasedinthefallof2021byernwood F Publishing.Theaudienceparticipatedwith questions and comments.

Art Talks in Latin American Art (monthly; 6 events)

This series of lecturesexploresthemesrelatedtoLatinAmericanvisualarts.Ledbyairo J Salazar, anarthistorianwithabackgroundinteachingmodern,contemporary,andLatin AmericanarthistorycoursesinColombia,theUS,andcurrentlyCanada.Someofthe themes included muralism and surrealism in Latin America.

Puro Cuento - Creative Writing Workshop in Spanish (weekly for 6 weeks) Thisvirtualworkshopwithsixmeetingswasopentobothbeginnersand

peoplewithexperienceincreativewriting.Ito)eredparticipantstheopportunityto developandreKnetheirnarrativeskills,andcompleteoneortwosuccessfulshort stories.acilitated F byChileanCanadianauthorCarmenRodríguez.

Verano de Colores [in Spanish] (2 events)

Fun activities in Spanish for kids and families, with an emphasis on developing tools to foster Spanish as Heritage Language.

To Write is to Resist. To Write is to ReCreate.

An online panel discussion featuring Anna Marie Sewell, Alejandro Saravia, and Ava Homa, moderatedbyCarmenRodríguez.Ifweweretoenvisiontoday’ssocietyasagigantic prison,whowouldbeourjailers?

Sound & Colour: Let’s Make Art Together

Drum Circle with Toto Berriel and Screen Printing with Yaimel Lopez. A morning of music and art at the park!

Screen Printing Night with Yaimel LópezAworkshoptolearnthebasics

ofscreenprinting,andbeabletopracticethesetechniquesathomewithfamilyand friends..

What is the role of an artist? : A conversation with Manuel Piña

ManuelPiña’sworkinvitesustorethinkwhatartis,howitisdi)usedandtherole ofanartist.BorninHavana,ManuelisaprofessoratUBCandhasexhibitedinthe Americas and Europe

Morada do Caboclo - Photography Exhibition

This photographic essay, byphotographerelipe F Fittipaldi,reLectsonthesemi-aridregionofBahia,Brazilin thefaceoftheexodusofyoungpeople.Theexhibitionwasinpartnershipwiththe ConsulateGeneralofBrazilinVancouver.

Descarga Musical (2 events)Descarga(dischargeinSpanish)isaword

usedinuba’s C musicscenetorefertoperformancesofjazz-inLuencedbolerosinan improvisedmanner.VLC’s A Descargausical M highlightedthetalentofupcoming Latin American musicians from all over Canada in one-hour online live concerts.

Argentine Art and Design from the 1960s OnlinetalkbyWustavo

Quiroga, a designer, cultural manager, institutional advisor, and researcher from Argentina. In partnership with Society of Design Arts, Baltimore.

Trasiego - an exhibition by Carmen Rodríguez and Dafne Blanco Trasiego,anartinstallationbyVisualArtistafne D Blanco-SarlayandWriterCarmen Rodríguez,includingaguidedvisit.InpartnershipwithMarpoleNeighbourhood House

Book launch: ATACAMA, A novel by Carmen Rodríguez

Book launch of

TA A CAM,armenRodríguez‘snewnovelwithmusicbyHugoGuzmánand Aldo Araya.

Summer Solstice Coffee House

An evening of music and poetry to cultivate gratitudeandcelebratetheabundanceoftheharvestseason.Inpartnershipwith Britannia Community Centre

Destellos de Paz

An event designed for families with children from two to nine years old. During the session, attendees interacted with puppets, made crafts, and enjoyed traditional games while developing Spanish as a heritage language.

Canto Vivo Community Choir

Our choir met on Zoom throughout the year andhadonetermofin-personrehearsals.Unfortunately,thechoirwasnotableto perform live in 2021. ounded F in2017,thechoirhasmembersofmanynationalitieswhosinginPortuguese and Spanish, a repertory of songs from all over Latin America. Conductor: Sergio Pires.

HONORARY CARMEN RO ELDER DRÍGUEZ On March 8th, 2021, International Women’s Day, VLACC’s Board of Directors appointed Carmen

Rodríguez to be our Honourary Elder. This appointment formalized Carmen’s long-standing advisory role and honours her commitment to upholding the highest values and her deep knowledge of the Latin American community in Vancouver. As someone who fled Chile after the coup of 1973 and remained stateless but politically active for some time, her experience resonates in this time of anti-democratic movements. As well as participating in musical ensembles and organizing art exhibitions and conferences, Carmen collaborated with the La Quena Collective, which established the first Latin American cultural centre in Vancouver, was part of Aquelarre, a bilingual magazine published by Latin American feminists, and has published multiple collections of stories, novels, and poems in English and Spanish. “Elder” is a term used mainly within Indigenous communities worldwide but VLACC feels that it is very fitting for the role that Carmen has been playing. “Indigenous and other societies rooted in a harmonious relationship with nature and collaboration among humans do value their elders,” Rodríguez explains. “Given the dire state of today’s world, I think we could all benefit from slowing down and reconsidering our ways of being and working on this planet..” Featured photo by Felipe Fittipaldi, a Brazilian-born photojournalist based in Vancouver.

LATIN YEARS SINCE 6 4 LY H G U ND O “IT’S BEEN R STABLISHED A CULTURAL A CC AS RST E AMERICANS FI IN VANCOUVER. I SEE VLA G E C RIN N SE LAN OF GATHE /P ARTISTIC PRE M A E R D A F ION O R ONE THE CULMINAT CULTURAL WORKERS UNDE ALL N A TO LATIN AMERIC ENING THIS HUB’S DOORS P O THE N E R E H T V ROOF AND AKE VANCOU M T A H T S IE AME IT S THE COMMUN IT IS. AT THE ST E C LA P G IN IT PA EXC DIVERSE AND ANT TO LOOK BACK AT THE T TO R S PO U TIME, IT IS IM AS BROUGHT H T A H T Y R ISTO ÍGUEZ AND TO THE H ARMEN RODR C — .” E C LA THIS P

NG I M A E R T A: S PHEUM B U C X E L A OR E H T M O LIVE FR

In honour of Latin American Heritage Month,inOctoberwepresentedAlexuba: C Streaming

LivefromTheOrpheum.ubanC CanadianmusicianAlexuba C delightedanaudiencebothliveandstreamed withascintillatingperformanceofAfro-uban C jazzandpop.Over5,000viewersacrossCanadaandaround the world streamed the show for free, and a small invited audience was lucky to attend in person. Alex’scompositionsincorporatetraditionaluban C elementsandauniqueblendofstyles.BorninArtemisa, uba, C Alexgrewupimmersedinthetraditionsandperformancesoftheisland’smusic.

Throughoutthecourseofhiscareer,Alex’smusichasfoundinternationalattentionandwonseveralawards includingfourLatinGRAMYs,includingthe2021GRAMYward A forBestLatinPopAlbumforhismost recentalbum,endó. M

OUR REA CH 50%

VLACC CONTACTS GROWTH OVER WHO RECEIVE 1,372 2020 MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS

W WEBSITE 17,000 VISITS

1,015

70% GROWTH OVER 2020

NE C H AN L S

INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

SO C I A L M

2,623

160% GROWTH OVER 2020

FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS

20% GROWTH OVER 2020

. V L ACC . C A W W

Our database and social mediafollowinghavebeenconsistentwithouraudiences’growth.In2021

wehadanincreaseof50k(over2020)innewslettersubscribers,20kinacebook F followersand70kinInstagram followers.Visitstoourwebsitegota160kincrease. It’scleartousthatVLCis A reachingmomentum,gettingmorewidelyknown,andattractingbotholdandnew participants to our events. Tosupportthisgrowth,in2021,withtheassistanceofmarketingconsultantEmmaLancaster(Coastalazz, J PuSh estival, F anceH D ouse),wedevelopedaCommunicationsStrategythatwearenowsuccessfullyimplementing. VLChas A apowerfulvisualbrandingandnowwearealigningourverbalmessaging,organization-wide,tothis compelling image. As well as an overall communications strategy, we revisited some of our visual identity pieces to provide a friendly andclearintroductiontowhoweareandwhatwedo.Wemadeaversionofourlogowithatagline,andalsocreated anewandfunvisualidentityforourmembershipprogram,Amig@s.

E H T E R E WH S E O G Y E N MO In 2021, VLACC counted on the generous support of the Canadian government at all three levels.

Wewerealsoquitesuccessfulinoundation F grants.Ourindividualdonationcampaignreliedonthetremendous supportofourconstituency–itwasourmoste)ectivecampaigntodate.Ontheotherhand,wesu)eredthe e)ectsofthepandemicrestrictionsmainlyonourearnedrevenue:registrationsandticketsales.Weconsidered thelevelofKnancialuncertaintysurroundingfamiliesinourcommunitiesandmadeallourprogramsfreeof chargeorheavilydiscounted.Thisdecisionseverelya)ectedticketsalesandrevenueforoursignatureevent(this yearwebroadcastfromtheOrpheumTheatre,withasmallguestattendance),whichisusuallyanexcellentsource of income. Wemadeaconsciousdecisiontoinvestinpeople:moresta)hours,fairpaytoartists,performers,andinstructors, andthehiringofconsultantsforthejobswecan’tdoin-house,likethedevelopmentofaCommunicationsPlan.

REV

E - 20

ENU

$228,023 160% GROWTH OVER 2020

Revenue

2020

2021

Government & Foundations

$106,301

$195,190

Individual donations and memberships*

$17,034

$24,559

tickets and registrations

$6,267

$8,274

Total Revenue

$129,602

$228,023

*includes in-kind donations

EXPENS 2020

2021

Advertising and Promotion*

$19,610

$23,049

Professional fees

$43,470

$82,733

Operations

$9,553

$13,904

Artists’ fees

$16,980

$23,922

Program expenses

$16,799

$30,634

Consultants

$15,069

$25,172

Total Expenses

$121,481

$199,414

*includes in-kind donations

-2

0 21

Expenses

L ACC V IS

VLACC is the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre a nonprofit organi ation that celebrates cultural diversity by sharing atin American culture with all e offer the opportunity to learn more about Latin American arts and culture, make new friends, contribute to your community, and have a wonderful time doing it

Most of our programs are presented in English, and admission is often free. Our activities include concerts, visual art, author readings and discussions, youth activities, choral singing and more.

Our dream of a Latin American Cultural Centre inVancouvergetscloserevery day!Weareworkingonbuilding aphysicalhubforLatinAmerican artistsandaudiences,tocelebrate the increasing importance of the Latin American community in Canada.

VLACC has an anti-discrimination and pro-inclusivity approach to all their programs and is building a community that is welcoming to all. – Silvio José Albuquerque e Silva, member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination I have been witnessing VLACC's growth since the early days and it's a joy to see how they have always kept the focus on establishing a physical space for Latin American arts while delivering excellent programs. VLACC is gaining momentum and I can't wait to see how much more they can do once they get the space. – Sebastian Lippa, planner and former VLACC board member I am so appreciative of the space that VLACC has opened for the Latinx diaspora and those interested in getting to know us. As a Latinx woman residing in the territories of the Musqueam people, I feel it is crucial to keep the connection to my heritage, my roots, my culture and my community so I can engage from a space of wholeness with the other communities in these lands. – Catalina Parra, volunteer Reading Group Coordinator Not only has VLACC been an exceptional place to learn and grow as a worker, but it also opened the doors to connect with its kind-hearted staff, volunteers and board members. – Sam Troya, former VLACC student worker, current volunteer ¡El que canta sus penas espanta! El coro no solamente me sirvió para superar mi duelo por la pérdida de mi pareja sino que he hecho amistades entrañables.¡La mejor terapia! – María Isabel Cruz de Ordóñez, Member of the VLACC Choir, Canto Vivo

VLACC has provided me with a community of Latinx creatives in Vancouver and around Canada that I would not have been able to find otherwise, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. – Coral Santana, Racism(s) moderator The VLACC has always been open to suggestions and proposals for engaging programming concerned with topics that aim to correlate aspects of art history in the Latin American region with the current realities we as Latin Americans face on a constant basis, including but not limited to issues of identity, race, colonialism, politics, globalization among others. – Jairo Salazar, Art Historian, facilitator of the Art Talks series The VLACC has given us the opportunity to dream and then carry out events for kids in which we have been able to sow seeds of love to their Latin American roots. As facilitators of different family programs in our community, we constantly see the need of having steady centres where families can grow those seeds and create lasting connections. – Ana Lorena Pérez & María Helena Morales, Cacatúa Entertainment for Little Ones I am a Mexican poet, and being a collaborator with VLACC has given me the space to share my expertise in this field with other people. For a writer like myself, reaching out to people who speak your own language and drive for poetry, is a necessity, and I have found that in the VLACC community. – Jobyóan Villarreal, poet

For 2022,we’replanning aspectacularcelebrationof Latin American Heritage Month in a Kve-parteventseries—workingwithlocal organizationslikeVI,the F Writersest, F and theuseum M ofAnthropology—tohighlightthe contributionsofLatinAmericansinCanada. The series will culminate in a two-night Puerto RicanmusicconcertattheVancouverPlayhouse, ledbyeducatorandmulti-instrumentalist Salvador Ferreras.

ING

M OV

ARD W R FO

Save the dates November 4th and 5th

Online programs will remain an essential part of our programming delivery this year and beyond,asthatformatmadeourprograms moreaccessibletoabroaderaudience.That said,weareexcitedtoo)eragaintheopportunity togatherinreallife.Wewillkeepworkingto professionalize and grow our group without losing thefocusonwhatismostimportant:establishing theKrstLatinAmericanculturalcentrein Canada.Itwillbeaspacetoshareourarts and cultures with all Canadians.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON AT ONE OF OUR EVENTS.

U O Y N A C HOW ? C C A L V T SUPPOR Are you excited about VLACC? You can help us continue the work we do. There are many ways you can support our project. Become a member_Whateveryourbackgroundis,ifyoubelieveinourmandateandappreciate theworkwedo,weinviteyoutojoinus.VLCmembers A canvoteonourGeneralAssemblies and help shape our future.

www.vlacc.ca/become-a-member

Donate_Donations of any amount are always welcome. They help keep our programs free of chargeorhighlya)ordablewhilestillpayingprofessionalfeestoour facilitators and performers.

www.vlacc.ca/donate

Connect with us_Attend our events, follow us on social media, share our posts, sign-up for our newsletter,tellfriendsabouttheworkwedo.

www.vlacc.ca/events

Grow with us_Volunteer,reachout,o)eryourcommentsandsuggestions. Our Executive Director will love to hear from you at lili@vlacc.ca. Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre - 1885 Venables st. - Vancouver, BC V5L 2H6 604 562 5246 - www.vlacc.ca

Board of Directors

VictorMartinezAja President Miret Rodriguez Vice President Luiza Alton Treasurer SandraVigilonseca F Secretary Alan Creighton-Kelly Outside Community Builder José Juan Ordoñez Inside Community Builder

Past Directors

Honorary Board

Staff

LiliVieiradeCarvalho Executive Director anais D YeraGuerra Operations Coordinator

Skilled Volunteers

Angela Mejía Cano VanessaBocchi Diana More

Student Worker Samuel Troya

Contracts & Consultants

Brand Development: Alejandro Calzadilla Graphic Design: Claudia Fleury Marketing and Communications: Emma Lancaster Web Development: Cédric Leduc Accountant: Mindy Abramowitz,CPA Grant Writer: Mary Ann Anderson – Little Dog Creative Consulting Photos on this report were takenbyelipe F Fittipaldi,Lili VieiradeCarvalho,Samuel Troya,andDougWilliams Copy Editor: Emma Lancaster Graphic Design: Claudia Fleury