107 Suffolk St, 10002, New York City
The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center Inc. is a Puerto Rican/Latinx multi-arts institution rooted in the historic Lower East Side/Loisaida, where it has served as a vital cultural anchor for more than three decades. Founded on principles of artistic freedom and cultural equity, The Clemente celebrates and preserves Puerto Rican and Latinx traditions while embracing a multi-ethnic and international vision. Our mission is to steward a vibrant, polyphonic space that amplifies diverse voices, fosters intergenerational exchange, and supports the creation of contemporary, multidisciplinary work. Through affordable studios, performance venues, and collaborative platforms, we provide essential resources to artists, small arts organizations, and independent producers who reflect the richness of New York City’s cultural landscape. Guided by the legacy of our namesake—poet and organizer Clemente Soto Vélez—we are committed to building culturally grounded, multigenerational leadership, local power, and mutuality.