National Hispanic Cultural Center launches partnership with Smithsonian, Disney

Albuquerque’s National Hispanic Cultural Center is kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month on a high note after launching two new partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution and Disney.

Center officials announced the partnerships at a National Hispanic Cultural Center, or NHCC, dinner event this month. While still in the early stages, the partnerships are expected to bring new insights, resources, collaborations and programs to the center, NHCC Executive Director Zack Quintero told the Journal.

“It’s an exciting time, not just for the National Hispanic Cultural Center but for the state... and being able to connect with communities outside of New Mexico,” Quintero said.

The partnerships come during the center’s 25th year of operations, preserving and promoting Hispanic art and culture, Quintero said. The center, overseen by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, spans 20 acres located in Albuquerque’s historic neighborhood of Barelas.

The center is home to the Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts, an art museum, research library, genealogy center and restaurant — all of which host a variety of events and programming, including exhibitions, productions, films, school events, book signings and Spanish language classes.

The Smithsonian and Disney couldn’t be reached for comment Monday.

As part of the partnership, the Smithsonian will designate the National Hispanic Cultural Center as an affiliate institution.

The designation, which has been in the works for years, was approved just last week and connects the center with a national network of Smithsonian affiliates that includes just a handful of New Mexico entities, Quintero said.

“This agreement will allow us to coordinate and collaborate really closely with other organizations like ourselves — different nonprofits, museums and cultural centers — to be able to share exhibits, artifacts, different kinds of workshops, and provide collaborative support for different communities,” Quintero said.

He added the network is “a real honor” to be a part of and will allow the center to advance its mission “in a really meaningful way.”

Quintero described the Disney partnership as more of a “reconnection.” Disney first got involved with the center through the opening of the Roy E. Disney Center for Performing Arts in 2004, after Roy E. Disney — Walt Disney’s nephew — and his wife, Patricia, donated $2 million toward the complex, according to Journal archives.

The relationship was stewarded by former NHCC Foundation board chair Edward Lujan and Roy E. Disney for many years, bringing many Disney programs and collaborations to the center. The partnership “kind of faded out” after Roy E. Disney died in 2009 and as both entities underwent leadership changes.

“So being able to have that reconnection is a major milestone,” Quintero said.

The formalized partnership will give the center more input, insight and recommendations from Disney in regard to visitor experiences and staff development at the performing arts center, Quintero said. Collaborations to bring new Disney performances and visual installations to the center could also be a possibility, he added.

“But the exciting developments we’ll see probably won’t happen until late next year,” Quintero said, adding Smithsonian collaborations also won’t be fully fledged until next spring or summer. “Right now is strictly the consultation component of understanding what functions and opportunities exist and where these collaborations can grow.”

The center’s participation in the Smithsonian affiliates program will be reviewed and renewed annually, according to Quintero. The Disney partnership will also be reviewed annually, but does not have to be renewed and has no set end date, he said.

The aim of these partnerships, Quintero said, is to benefit the community, further the center’s mission and create culturally dynamic experiences for everyone.

“It’s an exciting place to start Hispanic Heritage Month, on such a strong note for New Mexicans,” Quintero said. “Whether you’re Hispanic, Latino or from other communities, this is something everyone can be excited about.”