History

1975-1978 - The idea of creating a Mexican American Cultural Center surfaces from a group of artists, students and community activists and begin to approach the City Council with the idea of building the center.

1986 - Austin City Council appoints a Task Force, the Mexican American Cultural Center Task Force, to work on the issue.

1988 - A feasibility study for the project is commissioned by the City and concluded that a facility could built on six acres of City owned land in downtown Austin.

1989 - The Cultural Arts Center is scheduled for the upcoming 1992 bond election ballot but fails with only 47% of the vote.

1997 - The Task Force incorporates as The Center for Mexican American Cultural Arts, Inc. as a Texas based 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation.

1997 - The first historical theatrical performance at the Cultural Center takes place, "La Pastorela, A Shepard’s Story", a Latino Christmas tradition.

1998 - Austin voters approve $10.9 million in bond financing for the Cultural Arts Center in the November bond election.

2000 - World renowned architect, Teodoro Gonzalez de Leon is selected for the winning design.

2004 - Groundbreaking postponed.

2005 - Groundbreaking postponed.

2006 - Official groundbreaking.

2007– Grand opening kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15–October 15.