Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Reopens in Austin After Renovation
On June 6, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin celebrated its grand reopening with the Juntos de Nuevo event. The center had been closed for renovations since December 2022, following a project approved by the Austin City Council in 2018 to expand its facilities located at 600 River Street. Designed by architect Teodoro González de León, the revamped center now includes a teaching kitchen, new classrooms, and a community gallery. The reopening featured three notable exhibitions, all running until December 5, and the ESB MACC continues to host popular annual events such as Viva Mexico and Dia de Los Muertos.
Key facts
- Reopened on June 6, 2026
- Closed December 2022 for renovation
- Expansion approved by Austin City Council in 2018
- Architects: Miro Rivera Architects and Tatiana Bilbao Estudio
- Original building designed by Teodoro González de León
- New facilities: teaching kitchen, classrooms, music rehearsal spaces, dance studio, 950-sq-ft art studio, 1,000-sq-ft community gallery
- Public artworks: Snake Path by Benito Huerta, Una Canción de Fe y Familia by Connie Arismendi, La Mujer mural by J Muzacz
- Three exhibitions on view through December 5, 2026
Entities
Artists
- Teodoro González de León
- Benito Huerta
- Connie Arismendi
- J Muzacz
- Courtney Enriquez
- Gilberto Cárdenas
- Dolores Carillo Garcia
Institutions
- Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB MACC)
- Miro Rivera Architects
- Tatiana Bilbao Estudio
- Austin City Council
- ESB MACC Caminos education program
- Glasstire
Locations
- Austin
- United States
- 600 River Street
- Lady Bird Lake
- Mexico City
- Perez-Ramos Plaza