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Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future: Celebrating The National Hispanic Cultural Center with Dr. Margie Huerta and Noël Bella Merriam

42m · Encounter Culture · 25 May 09:00

Is it possible for an arts organization to respect the hallowed neighborhood in which it resides and be future-focused?

Could it serve as a cultural home for locals while attracting worldwide attention?

Can its campus reverberate with the buzz of performances, exhibitions, and events yet provide space for quiet contemplation?

If the arts organization in question is The National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

Encounter Culture host Charlotte Jusinski chats with Executive Director Dr. Margie Huerta and Artistic Director Noël Bella Merriam about the NHCC’s exciting, affordable programming as well as its ongoing efforts to preserve, promote, and advance Hispanic culture.

The multi-hyphenate institution, which sits in the middle of the historic Barelas neighborhood, is home to a museum, a performing arts center with three stages, a history and literary arts building, and Mundos de Mestizaje, the stunning 4,000 square foot concave fresco by Frederico Vigil.

As for the future of the NHCC, Margie maintains that community collaboration and support are vital. Inherent to that goal is education, connecting with schools in the surrounding communities, reiterating to students and their families that the NHCC is a place where they belong.

Cultivating inclusion and celebrating diverse identities. Who says the NHCC can’t do all the things?

Explore the events calendar and plan your visit to the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

El Palacio - Fall 2021

El Palacio - Winter 2019

Visit https://newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours and more.

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Encounter Culture, a production ofthe New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.

Hosted by Charlotte Jusinski, Editor at El Palacio Magazine

Technical Director: Edwin R. Ruiz

Recording Engineer: Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe

Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann

Show Notes: Lisa Widder

Associate Editor: Helen King

Theme Music: D’Santi Nava

Instagram: @newmexicanculture

For more, visit podcast.nmculture.org.

The episode Rooted in Tradition, Focused on the Future: Celebrating The National Hispanic Cultural Center with Dr. Margie Huerta and Noël Bella Merriam from the podcast Encounter Culture has a duration of 42:34. It was first published 25 May 09:00. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

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Encounter Culture, a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.

Hosted by Emily Withnall, editor at El Palacio Magazine

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