SF Supervisors Vow to Keep Mission Cultural Center at Its Current Home, Regardless of Financial Problems

"The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts has been a nearly 50-year cultural anchor at 24th and Mission streets, particularly for its Dia de los Muertos activities and Carnaval dance classes and after parade meet-ups. But the venue has always operated 52 weeks a year, with other arts classes and cultural programming. That's why it was such a punch in the gut to so many people when the Mission Cultural Center closed abruptly last month,"

"On Tuesday night, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to preserve the Mission Cultural Center at its current 2868 Mission Street location. And that is no idle resolution, considering that the city owns the building. So they can determine who the tenant is, regardless of the center's ongoing financial issues. People come from all over the Bay Area and the country to the Mission Cultural Center, Supervisor Myrna Melgar said before the vote."

The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts closed abruptly after the nonprofit running it fell deeply into debt, laid off staff, and became noncompliant with its lease. The city owns the building at 2868 Mission Street, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to preserve the center at that location and ensure its reopening. The city's ownership gives officials authority to determine tenancy regardless of the organization's finances. The center has provided nearly 50 years of cultural programming, including Dia de los Muertos events and Carnaval dance classes, and has generated income from rents and arts activities while supporting artists across the Bay Area.

Read at sfist.com