Since its inception, the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) has been at the forefront of advancing Latinx representation, creativity, and innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the arts landscape.
The NALAC Impact Report is a comprehensive repository of data, stories, and information about the organization's 34 years of growth and success. Through visionary programs, innovative initiatives, and steadfast support, NALAC has nurtured a flourishing and resilient artistic community. As we celebrate the achievements of the past, we look forward to an even brighter future, one where NALAC continues to lead, empower, and uplift Latinx artists, leaving a deep-rooted legacy for generations to come. Below you will find a snapshot of our achievements and we also invite you to read our full report and a special message from our President and CEO, Maria Lopez de Leon.






The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) was born from a vision shared by Latinx artists and administrators who recognized the need for an advocacy organization to uplift and resource the Latinx arts sector in the United States. In the late 1980s, a group of local artists and advocates that worked to support and promote the arts in the historic and culturally rich West Side of San Antonio, Texas envisioned an arts service organization for the advancement and preservation of Latinx arts and cultures. Together, they incorporated NALAC in the State of Texas on May 1, 1989.
The Origin Story
Interactive Timeline
Click an image to learn more about it's significance in the NALAC Origin Story






NALAC Fund for the Arts
Investing in Latinx Artists and Arts organizations & Building Creative Capacity.
Since its inception in 2005, the NALAC Fund for the Arts (NFA) remains the only national grant program exclusively investing in multidisciplinary Latinx arts and cultures. The NFA provides several unique grant opportunities for Latinx artists, arts administrators, and organizations at all stages of the creative process. The competitive grant process is offered annually with calls for applications made at dedicated times of the year based on the funding cycle.
Current NALAC Fund for the Arts Programs include:
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Artist/Ensemble Grant
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Adán Medrano Legacy Award in Film
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Flamboyan Artist Fellowship
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Project-Based Funding for Organizations
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General Operating Funding for Organizations
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Catalyst for Change
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Border Narrative Change
NFA Program Impact
Count of Grantees for each NFA Program Name. The bars are labeled by count of Grantees. The data is filtered by NFA Grant Program Classes and Grantee Records. Program Classes include, project or general operating and relief grants awarded via NALAC Fund for the Arts (NFA), Catalyst for Change (CFC), Kellog Youth Arts Initiative, Border Narrative Change (BNC) and Actos De Confianza.






Leadership Programs
Training Leaders to Impact Communities.
NALAC’s Leadership Program provides culturally relevant training that reflects the realities of being Latinx in America today and equips artists, administrators, and cultural workers with tools to transform their personal creative practice, affect policy, and impact the communities they serve. Our Leadership Program offers a rare space for discussion, inquiry, learning, inventiveness, and solidarity.
NALAC offers three distinct trainings: the NALAC Leadership Institute (NLI), the Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI), and the Intercultural Leadership Institute (ILI).
Leadership Program Impact
Counts of Leadership Institute Alumni graduates for each Program Year stacked by Institute Program Category Name. Color differentiates Program Category.






Priorities Shaped Through Research
Building Knowledge. Learning Latinidades. Assessing the State of the Field.
NALAC conducts research that contributes to the body of knowledge about Latinx arts and culture, especially around areas of equity, helping us better understand the entirety of the Latinx arts and culture workforce. Recent projects include the 2019 State of Latinx Arts & Culture Organizations project that supported NALAC’s ongoing national assessment of the Latinx arts and culture field, and research into funding disparities.
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NALAC Research Collection
2016 A Call to Collaborate - Houston Research Initiative
2016 NALAC Michigan Research Initiative
2010 National Conversations
2009-2010 Organization and Artists Economic Survey Analysis
2008 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Survey Analysis
2005 Nebraska Arts Council Latino Arts Initiative
1998 Latino Arts and Cultural Organizations in the United States
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Connect & Engage
Resources & Knowledge to the Field
VISIONES: Latino Art and Culture
Visiones is a six-part documentary television series that captures the rich and varied cultural and artistic expressions and contributions of Latino artists and communities throughout the US. Visiones aired over 3,000 times on its initial PBS broadcast in fall 2004 and continues to be re-broadcast on PBS stations across the country. In June 2005, the series was awarded the Imagen Award for Best Documentary. An educational component for the series is currently being developed. Visiones is available for purchase as an educational tool for schools, colleges and universities. You can purchase the series for your home by visiting
https://www.nalac.org/tienda/visiones/.
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Opportunities Directory
Organizations and businesses across the country are looking for engaged, talented, and creative individual . The NALAC Opportunities Directory holds opportunities that artists, organizations, and cultural workers are looking for today. https://www.nalac.org/tag/opportunities/
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El Aviso Blog
Our blog is where to read special special content and featured articles from our E-Boletin newsletter.
E-Boletín Newsletter
NALAC gathers relevant news and opportunities and delivers them through our monthly E-Boletín newsletter. Anyone can sign up and have it delivered straight to their inbox.
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Archive: El Aviso Magazine
Published between 1999 and 2012, El Aviso was a NALAC print publication featuring news from the Latino arts field. Check out past issues of the magazine on our website.
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Resource Directory
Our resource guide connects arts workers to funding sources, arts and culture publications, and governmental entities.
Organization Directory
Find Latinx arts and culture organizations across the country or near you.
COVID-19 Emergency Arts Resources
A directory of emergency funding, information, and other resources available to artists, arts organizations, and cultural workers.
Convenings​
Over the years, our gatherings or convenings have taken different forms, but our approach is always based on fostering partnerships, collaboration, and dialogue in the service of common goals. NALAC’s models for convenings continue to evolve. What started with national conferences, continues with regional arts workshops, and most recently was redesigned as an online experience.
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Regional Arts Training Workshops
Charlotte, NC ‘17
San Antonio, TX ‘16
Detroit, MI ‘15
Miami, FL ‘15
Providence, RI ‘14
The Bronx, NY ‘13
Albuquerque, NM ‘12
Minneapolis, MN ‘11
Los Angeles, CA ‘08
Tucson, AZ ‘08
Athens, GA ‘08
NALAC National Conferences
1994 San Antonio, TX
2001 Corpus Christi, TX
2002 Austin, TX
2004 Kansas City, MO
2006 San Antonio, TX
2010 San Jose, CA
2012 Philadelphia, PA
2021 Latinx Summit Online
U.S.:MX Transcultural Exchange
El Paso, TX ‘08
The Bronx, NY ‘06
Portland, OR ‘05
Youngstown, OH ‘04
Chicago, IL ‘03
Philadelphia, PA ‘03
Long Beach, CA ‘01
Dallas, TX, ‘00
Albuquerque, NM ‘99
Philadelphia, PA ‘99
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Membership
NALAC membership began in 1994 and is open to all, including organizations and businesses that are interested in advocating for Latinx arts and cultures.

Map based City, State and Country. Color differentiates Membership Level. Size represents total count of memberships.






Financial Position
NALAC operates on an October - September calendar for its fiscal year. Income recorded for FYE 2022 totaled $5,721,875 and expenses were $2,081,322 resulting in a $3,640,082 increase in net assets. NALAC maintained its programming virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic and was able to retain its full workforce at 100% of their salaries. It should be noted that the income figure includes $101,900 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness (NALAC’s 2020 PPP Loan was forgiven 100% in FYE 9/30/2022.) It should also be noted that all income recorded on the accrual basis of accounting is included in the income report. NALAC receives multi-year grants that are restricted for future use. The income chart includes all income received in FYE 2022 whether restricted (for future use) or unrestricted.








Meet our Strategic Partners
NALAC wishes to thank the community of funding partners whose strategic investment to NALAC contributes to the vitality of the greater Latino arts and culture field.







