Every car needs an engine, every pen needs ink, and every city needs a community-based cultural hub — ours is in the Westside.

Specifically, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center (GCAC) sits at the heart of SA's Chicano, Latino, and Native American arts communities. Expect tons of events throughout the year — so let's get right into it.

How it started

Before the Arts Center had a center, it was a group of Chicano/a artists determined to shape the San Antonio cultural arts scene. The mission of the Performance Artists' Nucleus (PAN) was to support artists seeking municipal funds for their work, "[realizing] that vital decisions were being made for Mexican-American and Latino communities without their input."

In 1980, PAN secured funding for the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, a national model for multidisciplinary community organizations. The GCAC offers year-round programming + classes across six disciplines: dance, theater, visual arts, music, film, and literature. Plus, annual community events like the Tejano Conjunto in May + Cinefestival in July, performances at Guadalupe Theater, and a Latino bookstore.

When we say "national model," we mean national supermodel. Whatever your genre, you'll find some reason to visit the GCAC in the next couple of months.

Get ready to see 75 screenings from local filmmakers and artists at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center's CineFestival in July. | Photo by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center

How it's going

Check out a couple of its upcoming events:

“My Time, My Story: Youth from Yanaguana” | Saturday, June 29 | 7 p.m. | Say Si, 1310 S. Brazos | Free | Grupo Animo and Teatro ALAS have come together to put on youth theater performances + skits revolving around the themes of love, friendship, self-identity, and tragedy.
Texas Author Monthly Series | Friday, July 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Guadalupe Cultural Art Center Latino Bookstore, 1300 Guadalupe St. | Free | Meet author and westside filmmaker Severo Perez as he talks about his new book "Filmmaker’s Journey."