Who are we?

El Arco Iris Center for the Arts, also known as El Arco Iris (The Rainbow), is a St. Paul based non-profit organization (Tax ID: 41-1939883) whose mission is to nurture, disseminate, and elevate the local Latino culture through artistic endeavors. The organization was founded in 1993 and has served hundreds of Minnesota youth, adults and organizations since its inception. The organization has carried out its mission primarily by developing and executing enriched educational experiences for youth involving the study and performance of Afro-Caribbean dance, drum, and song. The organization’s curriculum also encompasses adult dance and drum classes, youth painting classes, history (culturally-sensitive) and story-telling as well as modern forms of dance such as hip-hop.

 

Why is our work meaningful and important?

Between 2005 and 2010, Metro Minnesota is expected to see a 22% rise in its Latino population. Additionally, statistical studies indicate that over 50% of Latino youth will not complete their high-school education during this same time period. We believe that our work helps bridge the educational gap that exists within the local Latino community by supplementing the number of available after-school and weekend cultural programs. Our work assists youth develop a sense of identity, which we believe, is essential to their future success. For the past 16 years, El Arco Iris’ board of directors, teachers, guest-instructors, funders, parents, and volunteers have had a shared vision of elevating the status of the local Latino community through generous donations of time and financial contributions.

 

El Arco Iris supporters, volunteers and board members also advocate the promotion and fostering of programs that help create a culturally diverse society. It is for this reason that our organization has been successful in its work and considered a pillar within Minnesota’s Latino community. In 2005, Jesse Bethke Gomez and Leigh Roethke published a book titled Latino Minnesota, which highlights individual and collective achievements and contributions within the Latino community. El Arco Iris Center for the Arts was one the few organizations the authors mentioned in the book. This is a true testament to our work in the community and our positive impact on Minnesota’s Latino community.