Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future

PRAA was established in Carlos Hernandez-Falcon's Humboldt Park home by Puerto Rican leaders seeking broader artistic representation. Founding board members—educators, musicians, visual artists, and community leaders—united with a shared vision: elevating Puerto Rican culture in Chicago. These dedicated individuals laid the groundwork for pursuing arts excellence as a way to heighten appreciation for cultural identity and affirmation.

PRAA launched the first Annual Cuatro Festival at Roberto Clemente Community Academy, featuring the Chicago Cuatro Orchestra and renowned Puerto Rican musicians, including Yomo Toro and Prodigio Claudio. This sold-out event became the catalyst for PRAA's future music program expansion and established the foundation for what would become our signature cultural celebration.

PRAA became the first Latino-founded organization to be approved for the Chicago Park District's Artists in Residency Program. This partnership enabled operations to move into the Humboldt Park Field House, providing much-needed programming space. Programs included Cuatro and Spanish Guitar lessons, establishing PRAA's educational foundation in the community.

The Cuatro Festival moved to the Field Museum's James Simpson Auditorium, partnering with one of Chicago's premier cultural institutions and amplifying citywide visibility. This prestigious venue hosted our cultural concert for the next three years, significantly elevating PRAA's profile and expanding our audience reach.

PRAA presented its first exhibition, "Seis Mujeres," at the Humboldt Park Horse Stable building, featuring six local Puerto Rican women artists. This groundbreaking exhibition garnered community-wide support, positioning PRAA to develop its professional artist exhibition program and establishing our commitment to the visual arts alongside music education.

PRAA implemented its first strategic plan, providing renewed organizational vision and magnifying interest in strengthening arts education initiatives. The organization was granted additional space at the Humboldt Park Field House, enabling the launch of our current Studio Arts and Exhibition Program. The Cuatro Festival moved to the iconic Chicago Theater.

PRAA began exploring the development of a future cultural building to accommodate growing operations. After securing a donated abandoned Fire Station from the City of Chicago in Avondale, PRAA launched a $2.5M capital campaign. The Board of Directors championed financial support from foundations, corporations, and individuals for organizational expansion.

The Cuatro Festival moved to Chicago's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, marking a venue partnership that would last for years. This move positioned PRAA for future audience growth while continuing to expand educational programs serving more youth in the community through innovative programming.

PRAA continued capital campaign efforts with State Senator Iris Martinez advocating for major support from Illinois. The Polk Bros. Foundation, ComEd, Kresge Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, and The Field Foundation invested in PRAA's vision, ultimately leading to the opening of the new PRAA Center.

In partnership with Telemundo Chicago, PRAA won its first Emmy Award for the National Cuatro Festival, featuring over 60 musicians from the Puerto Rican Philharmonic Orchestra. The new state-of-the-art, LEED-certified, 4,500-square-foot PRAA Center officially opened in Avondale, marking a new chapter of growth and impact.

PRAA partnered with the Smithsonian Institute to host "American Sabor" and formed a partnership with US Bank to create the Latin Music Project in repurposed office space. Executive Director Carlos Hernandez-Falcon received the Chicago Community Trust Fellowship Award and began building cultural relationships with Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

PRAA partnered with the Conservatorio de Puerto Rico for curriculum development, master classes, and student exchanges. The organization established El Archivo, Chicago's first Puerto Rican Archive Project, initiating the digital preservation of heritage and culture through the collection of photos and media.

PRAA partnered with Navy Pier for "Noche Caribeña" and with the National Museum of Mexican Art to launch the Mexico and Puerto Rico Relief Fund, raising nearly $250K for earthquake and Hurricane Maria relief efforts, demonstrating our commitment to community support beyond Chicago.

PRAA celebrated its 20th Anniversary with expanded programming. Lyric Opera partnered with PRAA for "Caribe Clásico," a sold-out operatic chamber music event. The organization launched the Felisa Rincón de Gautier Woman Award and the National Coquito Festival, while continuing to build the Latin Music Project's pre-conservatory vision.

The Latin Music Project began hosting musicians at the renovated performance space while PRAA announced a residency program with the Center for Advanced Studies on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. "Puerto Rico Vive" launched cultural experiences, and PRAA hired its first full-time Music Program Director.

"Puerto Rico Vive" continued with community concerts in Puerto Rico. PRAA's exhibition "Colonial Portraits, Inc." was installed at Museo Los Americas in San Juan—the first time PRAA hosted an exhibition traveling from Chicago to Puerto Rico, marking a new milestone in cultural exchange.

PRAA responded to post-pandemic challenges by launching hybrid and digital programs to maintain access to arts education and cultural experiences. Virtual concerts, workshops, and student showcases reached thousands of families citywide. In-person instruction resumed through the Latin Music Project, reinvigorating PRAA’s presence in schools and community spaces.

The Desde Mi Barrio concert series debuted, bringing emerging Puerto Rican and Latinx musicians to Chicago neighborhoods and new audiences. PRAA expanded in-school programming to more than 10 Chicago Public Schools, integrating culturally-responsive music, visual arts, and literacy programs rooted in SEL and academic standards.

PRAA celebrated 25 years of cultural service with a yearlong series of concerts, exhibitions, and school-based initiatives. That same year, PRAA took a transformative step toward long-term growth by purchasing the building adjacent to its Avondale headquarters—doubling its physical footprint and paving the way for the creation of a performance hall, recording studio, and expanded classroom spaces.

Carlos Hernandez-Falcón, PRAA’s founder and Executive Director for nearly three decades, transitioned to the role of Senior Advisor. Dr. Ignacio López, a seasoned education leader and long-serving PRAA board member, was appointed Executive Director, ushering in a new chapter of strategic growth and deeper community engagement. PRAA was recognized as one of Chicago’s Cultural Treasures and elevated its role as a citywide and national leader in culturally-rooted arts education.

PRAA reached a major capital campaign milestone—raising $3.3 million toward its $6 million goal to renovate and activate the expanded Avondale campus. Plans include building a state-of-the-art Latin Music Hall, youth-centered learning labs, and community gathering spaces. PRAA continued to advocate for public investment in the arts while strengthening its partnerships with schools, cultural institutions, and civic leaders across Chicago and Puerto Rico.