NHCC welcome center approved
Hispanic Cultural Center facility will be adjacent to torreón
The next phase for a welcome center at the National Hispanic Cultural Center has cleared another hurdle.
The design has been approved by the NHCC, as well as the Department of Cultural Affairs Facilities’ team and the DCA Preservation Division. The update was given at the NHCC Board of Directors meeting on Thursday.
“It’s so exciting to be at this point,” said Rebecca Avitia, executive director. “A welcome center is what has been envisioned for the NHCC since the beginning.”
Planning for the welcome center began “in earnest in 2014,” when Avitia came on board.
The first step was to raise private funds and then secure state funding. In May 2015, New Mexico Mutual Casualty Co. purchased the naming rights. The deal calls for New Mexico Mutual to pay $200,000 over the course of two years, which has already been paid. The naming rights last for 10 years.
The 20-acre campus features a number of entrances. Avitia said the welcome center will be
an important addition.
“With so many focal points, we had to think a lot about how to make it the most useful,” she said. “We created a meaningful welcoming place.”
The design plans show that the center will be located in front of the torreón — or watchtower — on campus.
It will also house the NHCC box office, as well as La Tiendita gift shop and a conference room.
The box office will sell tickets to all NHCC events, including the art museum.
The conference room will have an enclosed courtyard, for which the center will sell the naming rights.
Since the welcome center will be built close to the torreón, Avitia said the public will have more access to the torreón.
Currently, it is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment. The torreón houses the fresco by Frederico Vigil.
“When completed, the torreón will be open a minimum of five days,” Avitia said. “Since the torreón was completed, we have relied on volunteers to open it. We have a dedicated staff of volunteers who do a great job.”
The next step is for the state to place construction for the welcome center out to bid, which will begin on Thursday and close on Oct. 6.
The NHCC campus is undergoing a bit of construction on its central dirt lot, located between the History and Literary Arts Building and the Domenici Education Building. The area will feature a Spanish/Moorish inspired garden as well as a fountain.
The NHCC is also working on remodeling the entrance to its Art Museum.
“It’s really exciting and with our landscape project, our central dirt lot will change the way we are able to welcome our visitors.”