Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA), a community development corporation offering affordable housing and supportive programming to increase social and economic mobility, marked a historic milestone with the beam signing and raising for La CASA: The Center for Arts, Self-determination and Activism. Accompanying the ceremony was the announcement of a $1M matching gift from Barbara and Amos Hostetter.
Located in Boston's South End, La CASA: The Center for Arts, Self-determination and Activism will serve as the largest hub for Latinx arts and culture in New England.
Anticipated to open in 2026, La CASA is a 26,000 square-foot, $33 million project set to become a vibrant hub for Latino cultural preservation and community empowerment. Community leaders, philanthropists, financial partners, staff and artists, and residents and neighbors attended the ceremony to celebrate the progression of the project that will soon serve as a focal point for community engagement, arts education, and cultural expression.
Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, IBA's Chief Executive Officer, said, "This beam represents more than a significant milestone in the construction of La CASA —it represents our commitment to real, lasting change for Latinos and multicultural communities across Boston, Massachusetts, and New England. Latino-led organizations often face disparities in funding, and today the Hostetter's are helping to changing that narrative with this historic $1 million matching gift. This gift is a powerful step toward ensuring that our communities have the resources they need to lead, grow, and reach their full potential. It's an investment in empowerment and in the power of the arts to build strong communities and uplift future generations. I hope people will be inspired to join us in matching this important gift and support La CASA Campaign."
The Campaign for La CASA, a first ever campaign for IBA, has already secured $9.5 million of its $12.5 million philanthropic fundraising goal. These contributions reflect the deep commitment from donors, partners, and supporters to preserve Latino culture and empower residents through access to wrap-around community programming. The new space will allow IBA to expand its program offerings and operational capacity at a central location, and to redevelop its current offices into more than 40 units of affordable housing units, addressing a critical need in Boston.
La CASA will offer programs that support individuals and families to improve their lives and achieve socio-economic mobility in the IBA's multicultural affordable housing community. Through its signature arts programs there will be a broad range of programming including dance, music, visual arts, and theater workshops, as well as exhibitions, performances, and cultural events.