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Mission Statement: The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB-MACC) is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation, and promotion of the cultural arts of Mexican Americans and Latino cultures. Learn about the history of the ESB-MACC.
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center building is currently closed to the public. The expected reopening date is November 1, 2025. Our programs are currently occurring at other sites, Please visit Austintexas.gov/maccevents and follow us on social media @ESBMACC for program locations and dates. The temporary ESB MACC office is now at the Dougherty Arts Center and the main number is still 512-974-3772.
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The Creative Reset is Here!
The City of Austin's new Office of Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (ACME) just turned 90 days old—and is kicking off The Creative Reset, a year-long strategic planning initiative to reimagine how Austin supports arts, music, culture, and heritage.
Phase 1, launching now, focuses on redesigning the City's cultural funding programs.
📣 You’re invited to participate through surveys, focus groups, and more.
📝 Take the survey and learn more: https://www.austintexas.gov/creativereset
La Mujer Mosaic Mural
Watch the video!
La Mujer is a new mosaic mural located at 600 River Street where the Southeast edge of the ESB MACC meets the Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike trail, at Ladybird lake. It was completed in April 2023, and is accessible outside of the construction fencing at the ESB MACC. It is easily viewed from the trail: Mural Location On Google Maps.
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The ESB MACC has entered Phase 2 of the 2018 Facility Expansion Plan (2018 Plan) approved by City Council. Phase 2 includes expansion and renovation of the facility in addition to site improvements in order to meet the growing needs of the community. Learn more about Phase 2 on the Project Page and in the FAQ's below.
- MACC PHASE 2 EXPANSION FAQ's
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When is the MACC closing?
The ESB MACC building closed to the public in January 2023. The MACC building will be closed in 2023 and 2024, and the anticipated opening is Fall 2025.
What are the plans for the building expansion?
Ongoing updates about the Phase 2 plans, including the schematic drawings for the building, can be found on the Phase 2 Project Page. The ESB MACC also created an online exhibit about Phase 2 that chronicles the history of our building plans and shows drawings of the new plans. View the History of the ESB MACC Building Online Exhibit. This exhibit is also available in Espanol.
Where will programs take place when the building is closed?
Great question! We will continue to have our regular programs and events, even when our building is closed.
We will be moving all of our programs to other sites for 2023-2024. We won’t be able to use our building for those two years, but we will have a new opportunity to host programs in other places, especially in underserved areas of Austin.
Some of the locations that will host our programs include the Austin libraries, Dove Springs Recreation Center, Carver Museum, and Asian American Resource Center.
You can see updated locations for our programs at this page: ESB MACC Programs and Events.Would you like to host a program? Email MACCEVENTS@austintexas.gov and tell us the program(s) you would like to host and when!
Who should I contact if I want to host an ESB MACC program?
If you would like to host a program, email MACCEVENTS@austintexas.gov and tell us the program(s) you would like to host and when!
Will the ESB MACC have a temporary office during the closure?
Yes – The ESB MACC temporary office will be located at the Dougherty Arts Center. It is located at 1110 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704.
Will the phone number to the MACC change?
No – the main line (512) 974-3772 will still be answered during normal business hours. You may also leave a detailed voicemail and ESB MACC staff will return your call as soon as possible.
What's happening with the pocket park outside the MACC?
Visitors to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Pocket Park, or ESB MACC Pocket Park, might notice a few changes in June 2024.
The current project at 64 Rainey Street is a temporary park improvement. The improved space will feature donated park furniture from Canvus. The ESB-MACC Caminos students will paint the furniture with murals in the fall of 2024. This was seen as an opportunity to activate the space until construction on the permanent park begins. PARD is committed to the original design.
For more information on the previous community engagement process for this park, read more here: MACC Pocket Park | AustinTexas.gov
The Holistic Wellness Program attends to the needs of the total person while remaining rooted in our Latino/Mexican American cultural identities. True wellness is a combination of Physical, Social, Environmental, Financial, Intellectual, Emotional/Mental, Occupational, and Spiritual aspects and, like the diversity of our people, deserves to be nourished and cultivated to enrich individual lives and uplift our community. View the Holistic Wellness Program calendar in English and Spanish.
At the ESB-MACC Healing Garden we grow herbs, fruits and vegetables that can be used for everyday meals and health. If you are interested in gardening, join us for one of our workdays. Check out our Garden brochure in English or Spanish. For more information, contact us at maccwellness@austintexas.gov.
DIGITAL PROGRAM GUIDE:
You'll find lesson plans, performances, presentations, online art galleries, instructional videos, and more! Make sure to take a look at our Signature Events!
Did you attend a MACC program? Let us know by filling out our 5-minute Program Survey!
On Exhibit
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THE MACC GALLERIES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION. Our center houses two galleries, featuring local, regional and national Latino/a artists. The Community Gallery is located downstairs at the entrance to our Auditorium, and the large Sam Z Coronado Gallery is located upstairs, at the elevator. Check out our online exhibits!
Events, Programs, and Services
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We are proud to produce our annual events, work with community organizations and partnerships and co-produce collaborations with Latino organizations that are free and open to the public. LAAP is a developmental program for Latino arts organizations and artists in all disciplines that provide arts and cultural programming to the Austin community.
Education and Programs
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We provide a variety of cultural arts classes and camps for adults and youth. Download the ESB MACC Coloring Book! Call (512) 974-3772 or email macceducation@austintexas.gov.
Caminos Teen Leadership Program
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The ESB-MACC 's Caminos program empowers Austin-area teens to carve their own path in the creative arts.
Rentals & Reservations
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THE ESB MACC IS NOT ACCEPTING RENTALS AT THIS TIME. The ESB MACC building is undergoing the Phase 2 expansion and renovation, so we are unable to host rentals until we re-open to the public in Fall 2025.
Latino Artist Access Program
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The Latino Artist Access Program (LAAP) provides Latinx artists from all artistic disciplines the space and community to share their work with the public. Space can be used for rehearsals, performances, workshops or to create small-scale works of art. The ESB-MACC is proud to promote the events and programs of these talented artists. Check out the LAAP Artist Page!