For over five decades, the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) has used the arts to build cross-cultural understanding, strengthen community identity, and create platforms where artists can thrive. SRBCC is widely recognized for introducing Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance—especially Bomba and Plena—to Chicago, while also growing into a multidisciplinary cultural hub* that supports artists across music, film, theater, literary arts, visual arts, and community-based traditions.
In the late 1980s, SRBCC established Chicago’s first Bomba Workshop. By the mid-1990s, the Center expanded youth programs to help new generations connect with African heritage and cultural memory. Out of this ecosystem, Grupo Yubá—Chicago’s first professional Bomba group—was founded at SRBCC in 1989, helping shape a legacy that continues to ripple across the city.
Today, Bomba remains a vital part of Puerto Rican life in Chicago, and many local projects trace their roots to artists nurtured at SRBCC. And while our Afro-Boricua foundation remains central, SRBCC also supports a wide spectrum of artists—**Afro-Puerto Rican, Puerto Rican, Latino, Afro-Latino, Caribbean, and global diaspora creators**—from hyper-local Chicago voices to internationally recognized talent.
Impact on Artists and the Community
SRBCC offers an active calendar of performances, convenings, and artistic collaborations where emerging artists and established professionals create together, learn together, and build real visibility. Artists gain industry exposure while sharing stages with respected culture-bearers and celebrated innovators—across genres, generations, and disciplines.
SRBCC-supported artists and ensembles have appeared on stages and platforms including:
✔ Chicago Jazz Festival
✔ Chicago World Music Festival
✔ Fiesta Boricua
✔ Summer Dance
✔ Millennium Park
✔ Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (San Juan)
✔ Heineken Ventana al Jazz (San Juan)
✔ Barrio Arts Fest
✔ Chicago Colombian Festival
Through these opportunities, artists refine their craft, expand their networks, and build sustainable pathways in the field.
Artistic Residencies and Professional Support
SRBCC provides professional artists with resources designed to strengthen both artistry and long-term stability, including:
🎶 Artist residencies that include mentorship, artistic exchange, and professional guidance
🎭 Subsidized performances highlighting original work by local and visiting artists
🎤 Rehearsal space that supports creation, preparation, and collaboration
🎧 Recording and media opportunities that help artists reach wider audiences
Collaborations and Creative Exchange
One of SRBCC’s core commitments is creating spaces where artists can learn directly from seasoned professionals—and where established artists can stay rooted in community while continuing to grow. For over five decades, SRBCC has seen talented artists leave Chicago due to limited infrastructure and opportunity. Our work is about changing that story: keeping artists working, visible, and supported—right here—while building bridges across Chicago, Puerto Rico, and the broader diaspora.
Join Us & Support the Arts
SRBCC is a home for culture-bearers and culture-makers—artists who honor tradition, innovate boldly, and build community through their work. Whether you’re an artist, collaborator, presenter, educator, or supporter, your involvement helps sustain this ecosystem.
💌 For bookings and inquiries: info@srbcc.org
📅 Ask about school performances and workshops — special youth rates available.
