Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs looked west to hire a new general manager for the Latino Cultural Center. Benjamin Espino has been the managing director at Fort Worth’s Jubilee Theatre since 2000. During that time, he helped the company move past the death of founder Rudy Eastman, and the Jubilee’s operating budget increased by 25 percent.

The full release follows:

New General Manager Appointed to
Latino Cultural Center

Office of Cultural Affairs Announces Appointment of Benjamin Espino

DALLAS Sept. 23, 2011 – The City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin Espino as the new General Manager of the Latino Cultural Center. An experienced arts administrator, Mr. Espino brings to the center a solid background in performing arts management, marketing and fundraising.

Mr. Espino is currently managing director at Fort Worth’s Jubilee Theatre, where he has worked since 2000. As managing director, Mr. Espino worked with Jubilee’s board to transition from the untimely death of its founder, growing the organization’s operating budget by 25% and ticket sales by 20%, expanding marketing and outreach efforts to increase community participation in the theater’s programs. A native of California, Mr. Espino moved to Texas with his family as a teenager, attending high school in Keene, Texas and graduating from Southwestern Adventist University with a double major in History and English.

“We are delighted to welcome Benjamin to the Latino Cultural Center,” notes María Munoz-Blanco, Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, the parent organization of the LCC. “Benjamin’s innovative ideas propelled growth at Jubilee and we look forward to tapping into his creativity and expertise to enhance the arts programs at the Latino Cultural Center.”

At the Latino Cultural Center, Mr. Espino’s responsibilities will include managing a year-round season of performing and visual arts programs that include the LCC Signature Series featuring regional and national artists, an active program of exhibitions, family programs like Target Second Saturday, and partnerships with over 15 Dallas Latino arts groups that present their programs at the LCC’s Oak Farms Dairy Performance Hall. Last year, over 25,000 people attended performances and programs at the LCC.

“The Latino Cultural Center is a young arts organization with a great track record of artistic programs and exciting possibilities for growth and innovation,” notes Mr. Espino. “I am eager to build upon the community’s vision of a cultural organization that celebrates the creativity and artistic heritage of all Latinos and look forward to working with the Friends of the LCC and the Office of Cultural Affairs to expand the resources available to support the arts programs at the center.”

Espino joins the Latino Cultural Center as the center begins its 9th year of service to the Dallas community. The 2011/12 season features performances by Texas and national artists of Latino heritage, including two Grammy-award winning musicians and a NEA National Heritage Fellow. The 2011/12 season also marks the first time the LCC will host an exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibits.

About the Latino Cultural Center

The Latino Cultural Center is a division of the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. Our mission is to serve as a regional catalyst for the preservation, development, and promotion of Latino and Hispanic arts and culture. The Center’s 27,000 sq. ft. facility was designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta and features the 300-seat Oak Farms Dairy Performance Hall, two visual arts galleries, and an outdoor plaza. The signature purple tower serves as a beacon to guide visitors to ourEast Dallas/ Deep Ellum location.

The Latino Cultural Center is located at 2600 Live Oak, Dallas, Texas 75204. Located immediately east of downtown Dallas, the Center is half-mile from the Dallas Arts District and conveniently located two blocks north of the DART Green Line Deep Ellum Station. Onsite free parking available. The Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and in the evenings when performing arts events are scheduled. For additional information, call (214) 671-0045 or visit www.dallasculture.org/latinocc.