SF's Mission Cultural Center fighting for survival amid move during seismic retrofitting
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Next year is supposed to be a big moment for the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts in San Francisco.
The MCCLA is supposed to be preparing to celebrate its 50th year in operation, but instead it's fighting for survival.
"We're going to have to relocate," said executive director Dr. Martina Ayala as she prepared for a night of activities at the center.
MCCLA needs to raise $4 million by then to pay for the move and market rate rent for a temporary new location.
Currently, the center pays $1 a year in rent at its current location on Mission Street near 25th Street.
It's part of an agreement a group of Latino activists made with the city to reactivate a space that once housed a furniture store.
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"The city said we will purchase it, we rent it to you for a dollar a year, but you are responsible for the tenant build outs and for maintaining the space," Ayala said.
The center flourished under the agreement.
It became the home of La Raza Graphics, which produced many of the posters and flyers that announced festivals, marches, concerts and other events happening in the Mission.
"Graphic arts was always used as a way of getting the word out. They used to screen print posters to let people know what was happening," said Ulises Ramirez, MCCLA studio coordinator.
Mission Cultural Center now has a screen print archive with more than 10,000 prints.
"We have basically documented the history of the Mission. The history of San Francisco," said Ayala.
Those prints and everything else inside the center must be moved before the seismic retrofit work begins. Ayala does not want to risk a fire will destroy the priceless archive.
"This is 37,000 square feet. This is a huge building and the cost of emptying out the building and then finding a location, it's going to be difficult for us to meet that goal," Ayala said.
The center needs to raise about $4 million before next summer. Nearly half of that is for its annual operations budget. Ayala estimates the move will cost at least one million dollars.
It's also recovering from a flood that caused damage to the first floor of the building. The center had to lay off most of its staff to pay for the repairs.
Now, it's looking for new sources of revenue. Recently, it began partnering with the Red and White Fleet to offer a Frida Kahlo sunset cruise in San Francisco Bay.
It's also looking to host corporate and team building events at its facility.
In the meantime, the center continues to be the hub of activity for Mission District residents.
On a regular weeknight, kids and adults are taking ballet classes, learning to dance samba, take singing lessons and take part in an Aztec dancing group.
Ramon Garcia first came to the Mission Cultural Center as a teenager when it opened in 1977.
He's back to improve his skills on the piano.
"Learning music is expensive but you can come here at affordable prices," Garcia said. "This place is like a diamond sparkling in the sand."
"We believe that this organization is worth saving. And yes, we are fighting and doing everything possible to continue this legacy," Ayala said.
