Belongó Receives $9 Million Capital Grant from the New York State Council on the Arts to Construct Casa Belongó, a Landmark Cultural Center in East Harlem

Belongó, formerly known as the the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, announces it has been awarded a $9 million capital grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) in support of the construction of Casa Belongó, a transformative new performing arts and community center in East Harlem. The NYSCA grant will directly support critical construction components including general build-out, energy-efficient lighting and sound systems, acoustic finishes, theatrical seating and equipment, and sustainable design features aimed at achieving LEED Gold certification.

Casa Belongó will anchor the ground floor and lower level of Timbale Terrace, a new 19-story affordable housing development on Park Avenue between 118th and 119th Streets. The 20,210-square-foot center will feature a state-of-the-art performance hall, classrooms, rehearsal studios, a café, gallery space, and co-working areas. Designed by the world-renowned firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the facility is poised to become a national model for community-driven cultural development.

With 70% of its $37.5 million fundraising goal already secured, the NYSCA grant brings Belongó within reach of completing its capital campaign by mid-2025. Additional support has come from city agencies, foundations, corporate support and individual donors who believe in the organization’s mission and its impact across New York City.

Inspired by East Harlem’s cultural legacy and the community visioning process, Casa Belongó will house intergenerational programming that includes a youth music academy and orchestra; free school-based music education; anti-gun violence and justice engagement initiatives; music and dance for older adults; programming for justice-involved and incarcerated populations; and community café and co-working spaces. Upon completion in 2027, Casa Belongó is expected to serve 15,000 to 20,000 community members annually, creating jobs, advancing arts education, and activating the Park Avenue corridor as a vibrant cultural destination.

The building will also house Belongó's numerous programming initiatives, including the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music, serving K–12 students across, and the Fat Cats Youth Orchestra and mentoring initiatives as well as a wide swathe of community concerts, festivals, and artist residencies. Casa Belongó will also include a state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance spaces available at subsidized rates for local artists.

"We’ve worked in every borough, in every park, school, and community center that welcomed us," said Marietta Ulacia, Executive Director of Belongó. "Now, for the first time, we will have a space of our own—designed to meet the needs of our community, built for the future of Afro Latin culture, and open to all."

Since its founding in 2007 by Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Arturo O’Farrill, Belongó has reached over 150,000 New Yorkers with a mission to preserve and celebrate the music of the Americas, rooted in African and Indigenous traditions, through the lens of jazz through world class performances and free music education. However, the organization has long operated without a permanent home.

“Governor Hochul and the state of New York stand without peer in the modern political climate, boldly choosing to invest in one of the most critical tools for collective survival: the arts and education,” said O’Farrill. “Now more than ever, enlightening the hearts and minds of New Yorkers through culture is a courageous act. Belongó is deeply grateful for this NYSCA grant and proudly reaffirms our 17-year commitment to the belief that a culturally engaged and informed community is empowered to shape its own future with confidence and dignity.”

"This investment by NYSCA recognizes the power of arts to revitalize communities and to elevate underrepresented voices,” said Ulacia. “We are honored and energized to build a space where everyone—from young musicians to lifelong lovers of Afro Latin culture—can truly belong.”

Belongó extends deep gratitude to NYSCA, Governor Kathy Hochul, and the East Harlem community for believing in the vision of a thriving cultural anchor that reflects the rhythm and resilience of New York. This portion of the Casa Belongó build is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. 

To learn more or support the Casa Belongó campaign, visit www.belongo.org.