Latino Artists Round Table is a nonprofit cultural organization based in New York City, which has been the center of a strong Hispanic cultural tradition dating back to the 19th century.  Based precisely on this, we have founded said organization.  Its principal purpose is to promote Latina/o culture in the United States and facilitate interaction between artists and writers living in the United States, Latin America (including the Caribbean) and Spain.  Latino culture refers to the universal meaning of the word.  Specifically, one encompassing said countries and not limited only to Hispanics living in the United States.  Likewise, artists refers not only to visual artists but to any creative person in general: writers, photographers, filmmakers, and musicians.

 

The organization will attempt to strengthen ties with artists living in countries most disconnected to the United States.  The reasons for this disconnection vary: state policy, in Cuba's case, or distance in the case of the different regions of Spain and some Latin American countries.  Latino Artists Round Table will also try to foment interaction between faintly connected cultural areas within the United States.  For example, the rich cultural productivity in the Southwest is barely known in the Eastern part of the country and vice versa.

 

When organizing events, special attention, although not exclusive, will be given to artistic manifestations that have been marginalized due to class or prejudicial motives, such as literature whose themes and style depict the experience and expressive modes of those groups which have been traditionally excluded.  

 

The uniqueness of Latino Artists Round Table originates from the awareness of its members that it is necessary to work toward unity in the Hispanic world regardless of our national origin, race or social class, our sexual orientation or the language we use to express our creativity.  Our awareness stems from the experience of living in New York and from dedicating ourselves to the city's cultural activities for more than two decades.

 

According to the 2000 census, in 2007 Latinos will be the largest ethnic group in New York.  The work of Latino Artists Round Table is structured so that we may contribute in making our cultural presence as strong as our physical one.