30 talented and engaged students participated in IBA’s 2024 summer Youth Development Program. Students hosted an end of program showcase: "Stories from Our Community" featuring art and performances on home, identity and culture. It was an inspiring display of learning, self-reflection and creativity. The intensive summer program runs six wee...
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Honoring Heritage & Embracing Community In the heart of Boston, there’s a festival that celebrates the preservation of community and the rich tapestry of Latino cultures in New England. Festival Betances, organized by IBA, has been a summer staple since 1973 – serving as a powerful tribute to Puerto Rican heritage and the indomitable spirit of Ramón Emeterio Betances. As we co...
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Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA), es una organización enfocada no sólo en ayudar y apoyar a la comunidad latina en Boston, sino también en reconocer el amor y orgullo de todos los puertorriqueños por su hermosa isla. Como todo inmigrante en este país, nuestra bandera se convierte en un símbolo de pertenencia, de recordar nuestras raíces y de orgullo de ser quienes somos. ...
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Earlier this year, during the demolishing of Villa Victoria Center for the Arts, the construction team found a box under the foundation of the former St. Paul’s (Zion’s) Evangelical Lutheran Church. The mystery box was given to the First Episcopal Church of Boston since—before us— they were the previous owners of that building. “We felt it w...
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One of the biggest Puerto Rican musicians right now, Daniel Díaz, began in the world of music from a very young age. Today, he is recognized, among many other things, for his creation: The Tripandero. This instrument helps him play the rhythms of Plena, just the way he enjoys them - with panderos (tambourines) all around. This week, Daniel Díaz...
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Uno de los músicos de gran apogeo en estos momentos, Daniel Díaz se inició en el mundo de la música desde muy pequeño y es hoy en día reconocido, entre muchas otras cosas por la creación del Tripandero. Instrumento que le ayuda a tocar solo ese ritmo de Plena que tanto disfruta. En un par de semanas, Daniel Díaz compartirá con nosotros - de manera virtual - una noche de mús...
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The arts world has been rocked by the pandemic. Physical distancing requirements and necessary health precautions have forced museums, theaters, artists and performers to reimagine how they interact with the public. Now, many are offering virtual programming to compensate for the inability to hold in-person viewings and performances. While the pandemic poses a substantial threat to artists and ...
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Villa Victoria Center for the Arts is currently closed to the public until further notice. We understand that this is an inconvenience to those attending upcoming events, and we are working closely with artists to identify alternative spaces within the city, should they wish to relocate their exhibits. Here's what this closure means for our arts programming....
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One of the talented women performing at Festival Betances this year Karla P. Rivera Lozada. Born in San Germán, Puerto Rico, Karla’s attraction to music has been lifelong, studying at the School of Fine Arts of Bayamón, then the Conservatory of Arts of the Caribbean (CAC) in Old San Juan, and currently the prestigious Berklee College of Music. We sat down to chat with Karla about her ambitions,...
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On July 20th and 21st, Plaza Betances will burst with life and activity, as Festival Betances kicks off another year of cultural celebration. As the Plaza fills with families, renowned musical performances, Latin food and drink, and traditional games, we’re reminded of how the arts and spaces dedicated to housing them play a critical role in the development of healthy, pro...
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What was your journey to your position as the Arts Director at a non-profit? How did you decide you wanted to get involved with IBA? I started my professional career in a publishing house and from there I immersed myself in the cultural world. I’ve been involved with publishing for the past 20 years in different ways— I’ve published government books and magazines, then ran...
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Puerto Rican Yara Liceaga has been writing poetry since the late 1990’s, and for many years lived fully immersed both in the island’s cultural scene and academia through the Universidad de Puerto Rico. After leaving Puerto Rico in the midst of the country’s economic crisis, she used her experience to begin building a series of projects that would promote artistic collaboration and inter...
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Puerto Rican native Josy Latorre has been singing professionally for over 40 years and is the only female founding member of the widely successful group, Haciendo Punto En Otro Son. Formed in 1975, the group became part of Puerto Rican folklore for their vast repertoire that melded traditional Puerto Rican folk music with modern sounds, musicalizations of national poets, and lyrics with social ...
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Father-daughter duo Kianí and Jerry Medina are some of the most talented and requested voices of Puerto Rico. Jerry, also a trumpeter, has spent over 40 years making music, collaborating with the likes of Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Calle 13, and more. Singing professionally since the age of 16, Kianí is part of the group Viento de Agua and is currently performing on the Residente Tour. ...
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As IBA celebrates the end of its 50th year, we are already looking to the future. We have already begun building our next half century, and we are excited to see how our community grows. From affordable housing and arts programs to support for our residents, our future is bright! By the end of this year, we will acquire, rehab, and renovate 146 units of affordable housing to add to IBA’...
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