<strong><a href="http://tallerpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Exterior-Cropped.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-875" alt="Exterior of building" src="http://tallerpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Exterior-Cropped-300x180.jpg" width="300" height="180" /></a></strong>

<strong>THE NEW TALLER PUERTORRIQUEÑO</strong>  is being designed by Philadelphia’s Wallace Roberts &amp; Todd, LLC architects. The firms' principles aim to protect natural resources, promote social justice and economic well-being, and create spaces that show local heritage, culture, and values. The principal architect is Antonio Fiol-Silva, whose design and development projects include the new Plaza del Mercado, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

<strong>The new Taller will include:</strong>

• Larger and more accessible gift shop, as well as more spacious and more flexible exhibition gallery with the latest climate-control systems

• More classrooms with the latest technology.

• Dance and theatre studios that can combine into a 220-seat multi-use event space.

• An outdoor play area for children in our programs, and an outdoor art patio for social functions and private contemplation.

<strong>Resulting in many advantages:</strong>

• Consolidation of all of Taller's programs in addition to full accessibility. This will be a one‐story building meeting all ADA requirements. This code compliance will enable Taller to become a Certified Child Care Center site, meeting expanded community demand for childcare during after-school time and providing a significant new source of revenue.

• A parking lot for over 80 cars and safe drop-off points will meet the needs of parents dropping off children; mini‐buses that bring seniors to Taller from other service centers; school buses bringing students, and visitors coming to our events.

• Ability to show exhibitions with more works and larger objects.

• Ability to accommodate larger groups.

• Opportunity to create an attractive and architecturally significant gateway to El Centro de Oro (The Golden Center).

Truly, the new Taller Puertorriqueño will be <em>an anchor</em>, a source of pride that serves the region’s growing Latino population and educates the wider public about Latino cultural contributions, a cultural haven, a "<strong>Corazón Cultural"</strong> for the Puerto Rican and Latino community of the region.

<strong><a href="http://tallerpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/El-Corazón-Cultural-Center-Naming-opps1.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1218 alignleft" alt="El Corazón Cultural Center Naming opps" src="http://tallerpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/El-Corazón-Cultural-Center-Naming-opps1.jpg" width="458" height="327" /></a>ACTION IS NECESSARY NOW!</strong>

In December 2007, the City of Philadelphia transferred a 2 1⁄4 acre parcel on the corner of 5th and Huntingdon Streets to Taller Puertorriqueño. Through working with Wallace Roberts &amp; Todd, LLC, the national collaborative practice of city and regional planners, urban designers, landscape architects, and architects headquartered in Philadelphia, as well as with Eduardo Díaz, Surale Phillips, Rosales Communications and Mastroieni and Associates, Inc. a detailed study was conducted of this property, as well as community perceptions and needs. More than 600 community voices were heard.

<b>We are so close to reaching our total fundraising goals.</b>  Our efforts have already secured $6.6 million of the total $10.5 million needed, of which over $110,000 are in private funds mostly in individual donations. This in itself is a feat for our community.  We can proudly state that we have secured 100% board contributions and pledges. We have met with a number of local and national funders about Taller obtaining New Market Tax Credits and have been informed that, if all other components are in place, we are eligible for close to $3 million in New Market Tax Credits.  This leaves a little over $1.0 million to be raised.  Because of the timeline, the difficulty will be that <strong>we need to identify these funds in an eight-month period</strong>. We are exploring several opportunities to narrow that gap, including other foundations and corporations as well as continue our efforts from <em>individuals like you</em>.

For more detailed information, download our Capital Campaign Catalog <a title="Catalog" href="http://tallerpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Taller-PR-Capital-Campaign-Catalog.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.

For more information about naming opportunities or the project, contact Carmen Febo San Miguel at 215-426-3311 / Email cfebo@tallerpr.org

To give, click on the donation button below.

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