Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) is the longest-standing Latino cultural center in Chicago.
Established in 1971, it was named in honor of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, a Puerto Rican patriot and member of a secret abolitionist society that freed children who had been enslaved under Spanish rule. In that spirit, SRBCC realizes its mission to preserve and promote appreciation of the culture and arts of Puerto Rico and Latin America, with a focus on its African heritage.
La Cantera
SRBCC’s Afro-Caribbean Jazz performance ensemble for youth (ages 19-24). The program was born in 2018 and is known for incorporating young veterans of Ruiz Belvis’ Afro-Caribbean Jazz and Afro-Latin Percussion apprenticeships with guest appearances by the city’s top local and touring Latin music talent.
Professional Artists
At SRBCC, we envision a vibrant future that honors and strengthens our legacy within BIPOC communities. Our commitment lies in fostering and nurturing strategic partnerships that expand opportunities for professional artists of color, creative youth, their families, and their communities. We achieve this through ongoing residencies, subsidized performances, collaborative productions, complimentary rehearsal spaces, and recording opportunities that showcase the original work of local and touring artists. Our mission is to create a supportive environment that highlights and celebrates the rich cultural contributions of Puerto Ricans and the larger Latine community.
Artist Residence
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center houses touring artists committed to working with local artists and community members in Hermosa and other underserved communities in Chicago. Many of the visiting artists that participate in SRBCC’s programs stay at our two on-site apartments for artists
Funders & Supporters
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