Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center

Mural Presentation (4/29/23): Watch the video!

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is proud to inaugurate the newest public art installation on our property: the La Mujer mosaic mural. The mural is located at 600 River Street where the Southeast edge of the MACC meets the Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike trail, at Ladybird lake. It is accessible outside fo the construction fencing, and is easily viewed from the trail.

This mural was created by participants in the ESB MACC's Caminos teen leadership program under the guidance of local muralist Jay Muzacz and Caminos coordinator Frederico Geib. The Caminos teen artists are: Abraham Hernandez, Ana Chavez, Anna Martinez, Bianca Olivares Reyes, Brandon Muniz, Elvis Muniz, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Gabby Gonzales, Natalia Dominguez, Natalie Hernandez, and Samantha Seamon.

Awards of Excellence : Nominations are Open!

The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center is now accepting nominations! The nomination window is May 5th, 2023 to May 26th, 2023. Please nominate now! To submit your nomination, fill out the Google Form linked below:

Awards of Excellence 2023 Nomination Form

These awards, which were established by the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board in 2009, recognize those individuals in Austin that have demonstrated significant leadership and have made meaningful contributions in the Latino cultural arts.

View more information (including all past Awards of Excellence recipients.)

Call for Artists

There are myriad interpretations of the ideas of place-keeping, home, and memory that resonate from our varied human experiences (past, present and future). The selected artist(s) or artist-led team will work collaboratively with project stakeholders and community advocates to design artwork that will connect the history of place and the iconic facility. Ideally, the final artwork will also increase visibility and appeal to a broader community. This opportunity is open to Austin-based artists and artist-led teams who have a multi-media or sculptural practice with experience creating permanent work situated in outdoor spaces. There will be up to two installation areas. Only one commission will be awarded. 

• Application Period: May 9, 2023 – June 13, 2023, 5:00 PM CT
• Artwork Budget: $190,000 
• Location: 600 River St, Austin, TX 78701
• Download the ESB Mexican American Cultural Center Request for Qualification (PDF, 138KB) 

The selected artist(s) or artist-led team will work collaboratively with project stakeholders and community advocates to design artwork that will connect the history of place and the iconic facility. Ideally, the final artwork will also increase visibility and appeal to a broader community. This opportunity is open to Austin-based artists and artist-led teams who have a multi-media or sculptural practice with experience creating permanent work situated in outdoor spaces. austintexas.gov/page/current-open-calls

MACC PHASE 2 EXPANSION FAQ's

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 discover how Phase 2 relates to the past, present, and future of the MACC in the Phase 2 Online Exhibit. This exhibit is also available in Spanish: Ver Fase 2 en Espanol.

Do you want to join a MACC Board Meeting? https://www.austintexas.gov/MaccBoard

Do you have program feedback? Tell us at www.MACCsurvey.net.

When is the MACC closing?

The ESB MACC building will close to the public after December 18, 2022. The MACC building will be closed in 2023 and 2024, and reopening in 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 Phase 2 Online Exhibit. This exhibit is also available in Spanish: Ver Fase 2 en 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 two years: 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 incluse City of Austin Recreation Centers, City Parks, Schools, and Special Event Centers.

You can see updated locations for our programs at this page: 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 a 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 MACC have a temporary office during the closure?

Yes – The 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 MACC staff will return your call as soon as possible. 

What's Happening with 64 Rainey Street, the "Pocket Park" Outside the MACC?

There has been a community engagement process for this park, read more here: https://www.austintexas.gov/news/64-rainey-street-pocket-park-rainey-street-historic-district

When is the last day the MACC is open to the public?

The ESB MACC is currently closed to the public. The last public events were in December 2022. It is closed starting January 2023.

DIGITAL PROGRAM GUIDE

For access to livestreams and other digital programs, follow us on Facebook at @ESBMACC and Instagram at @ESBMACC. 

View precorded digital programs at MaccSurvey.net. They are free and accessible to anyone who wants to learn more about Mexican-American and Latinx arts & culture.

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 view one of the digital programs? Let us know by filling out our 5-minute Program Survey! 
 

Holistic Wellness Program

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 or Spanish & the Austin Public Library Wellness schedule in English or 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 or sharing in our harvest, join us for one of our workdays. Check out our Garden brochure in English or Spanish, and our Garden webpage in English or Spanish. For more information, contact us at maccwellness@austintexas.gov

Access our previous brochures:

• Summer 2022 Garden brochure: [click here]
• Spring 2022 Garden brochure: [click here]
• Summer 2021 Garden brochure [click here]

On Exhibit

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. 

Events, Programs, and Services

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. Download a collaboration request form here. 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

We provide a variety of cultural arts classes and camps for adults and youth. Download the MACC Coloring Book! Call (512) 974-3772 or email macceducation@austintexas.gov.

Caminos Teen Leadership Program

The ESB-MACC 's Caminos program empowers Austin-area teens to carve their own path in the creative arts.

Rentals & Reservations

THE MACC IS NOT ACCEPTING RENTALS AT THIS TIME.

Latino Artist Access Program

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!