LCCA History

The Latino Canadian Cultural Association has a solid history of professional activities. We started to meet as a visual artists group in 1995 as the Latino Association at the Ontario College of Art and Design. We were born out of a need to create a support group that allowed members to exchange common experiences.

In May 2003, the old and new members decided to transform into a non-profit organization, which became incorporated as the Latino-Canadian Cultural Association in June 2003. In 2004 the LCCA was awarded Grants by the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council for its Visual Arts exhibit "EBB & FLOW" at the Gallery 1313 during the month of June.

In May 2005, the group had its first 3-day multidisciplinary festival "Beyond our Roots" including Music, Dance, Video Spoken Word and DJs at the Drake Hotel. The LCCA was awarded Grants by the Ontario Arts Council and the Fresh Start for that event.

In June 2005, Grants have been awarded by the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council for its Visual Arts exhibit "Beyond our Roots" at the Gallery 61.

In May 2006, the group had its second 3-day multidisciplinary festival "Fusion" at the Drake Hotel in Toronto. The LCCA was awarded Grants by the Ontario Arts Council, the Fresh Start and the Trillium foundation. for that event.

In September 2006, the LCCA had its third visual exhibition "ex Margins, Ideas of collaboration" at the Propeller Center for the visual arts, being awarded a Grant by the Toronto Arts Council.

In May 2007 the LCCA had its 5-day festival "Latin-Afro Fest", for which it was awarded Grants by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Arts Council. CANORA was awarded a Grant by the Toronto Arts Council for this event. Around 120 artists performed during this Festival.

From November 15 to November 25, 2007 the group had its fourth annual visual exhibition: "Alter Toronto" at the Gallery 1313 (1313 Queen St. West, Toronto).

From July to August 2008 the LCCA presented the 3-day urban festival "Rhyme the Image" at the Tranzac Club, Cinecycle and HotShot Gallery, for which it was awarded Grants by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

In September 2008 the LCCA and CANORAA presented the 4-day festival "Latin-Afro Fest II" at the Lula Lounge and Gallery 1313. Around 150 artists performed during this Festival.

In January 2009, the LCCA had its annual visual exhibition "Fraction Memory" being awarded a Grant by the Ontario Arts Council.

The LCCA has been awarded an Arts Education Project grant by the Ontario Arts Council towards the New (be) comers Arts Workshop.

In 2008 the LCCA was awarded a Grant by the Gateway Fund from the Canadian Heritage to design a Website to promote Latin American artists living and working in Canada to Canadians and the rest of the world.

In September 2009 the LCCA presented in partnership with CANORAA and Tannis Nielsen as First Nations' coordinator the "Latin-Afro-First Nations Festival". A Grant from the Ontario Arts Council was awarded for this event.

In 2009 the LCCA was awarded a Small Capital Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for equipment and furniture.

In October 2010 the LCCA presented in partnership with CANORAA and Rosina Kazi as South Asian Artists' coordinator the "Latin-Afro-South Asian Festival". Grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council have been awarded for this event.

In June 2011, the LCCA presented its tenth visual exhibition "Beyond our Roots" at the Gallery 1313 in Toronto, being awarded a Grant by the Ontario Arts Council.

In October 2011 the LCCA presented in partnership with CANORAA and Rosina Kazi as South Asian Artists' coordinator the "Rhythms of the Earth" Festival, including Music, Dance, Video and a Visual Arts Exhibition. A Grant from the Ontario Arts Council was awarded for this event.

In 2012 the LCCA was awarded a second Small Capital Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundationfor equipment and furniture.

In October 2014 the LCCA presented in partnership with CANORAA and Rosina Kazi as South Asian Artists' coordinator the "Latin-Afro-South Asian Festival", including Music, Dance and a Visual Arts Exhibition (presented May 2014). A Grant from the Toronto Arts Council was awarded for this event.

In October 2014, the LCCA presented its 14th Visual Arts Exhibition "Beyond our Roots" being awarded a Grant by the Toronto Arts Council.

In 2015 the LCCA presented in partnership with CANORAA and Vandana Vishwas as South Asian Artists' coordinator the "3 Worlds Festival", including Music, Dance and a Visual Arts Exhibition at the Hittite Gallery. A Grant from the Toronto Arts Council was awarded for this event.

In November 2015 the LCCA presented the "North-South Mural Project". Carolina Favale (Cuore) and Luciano Gatti (Ice), came from Buenos Aires, Argentina and painted Murals at the Humber College and gave an Artist Talk. Shalak Attack, Fiya Bruxa and Bruno Smoky painted Murals at Jennet and Lansdowne, Toromto. A Grant from the Ontario Arts Council was awarded for this event.

In June 2017 the LCCA presented in partnership with CANORAA, Mahlikah Awe:ri as First Nations Artists' coordinator and Vandana Vishwas as South Asian Artists' coordinator the "4 Worlds Festival" at the Rodeo Brazilian Steakhouse Rodizio, including Music, Dance and a Visual Arts Exhibition at the Hittite Gallery (presented in April 2017). A Grant from the Toronto Arts Council was awarded for this event.

On June 24Th, July 1st, July 8th and July 15th 2017 the LCCA presented in partnership with CANORAA, Mahlikah Awe:ri as First Nations Artists' coordinator and Vandana Vishwas as South Asian Artists' coordinator the "4 Worlds Festival" at the Earl Bales Park, including Music and Dance. A Grant from the Toronto Arts Council was awarded for these events. These events have been in partnership with the Toronto Arts Foundation and Arts in the Parks.

In 2020 LCCA was awarded a Grant from Public Outreach (Canada Council) and in 2021 Grants from Multi and Inter-Arts Projects (Ontario Arts Council) and Support for Workers in the Live Arts and Music Sectors (Canadian Heritage) for the "Our Roots and Beyond Festival" and "Beyond our Roots Festival" of Music, Dance and Visual Arts, presenting Latin American, African, Indigenous, Inuit, Mediterranean and Eastern European Artist, working in Partnership with CANORAA, Kimio Oki as Indigenous and Inuit Artist Coordinator and Tamar Ilana as Mediterranean and Eastern European Artist Coordinator.that was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and was presented in September 2021.

In 2022 LCCA presented two "Beyond our Roots Festivals" (Latin-Afro-Indigenous-Inuit-Mediterranean-Eastern European Festival), in May with Grants from the Canada Council for the Arts & Canadian Heritage at Revival venue and Gallery 1313 and in October a Grant from the Canadian Heritage at El Mocambo in Toronto.They were presented by the same partnership as in 2021

In 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 LCCA was awarded Grants by the OAC Artists in Communities and Schools Projects Program specially dedicated to 2SLGBTQI+ People, specially Trans People, presenting the "Interactive Sessions of Inclusion and Diversity - Trans Latino Integration and Support Project Workshops", presenting Drum, Dance, Circus, Fashion, Theatre, Talks, etc. workshops at The 519 Community Centre in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 (2022 and 2023 because The 519 had been closed in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 Pandemic).

In 2023 and 2024 LCCA was awarded Operations grants by the Multi and Inter-Arts Operations Grant Program by the Ontario Arts Council that allowed us to rent an office space at the Artscape (now Hubs) Wychwood Barns and 2 Capital Grants (2022 and 2023) and one Resilient Communities Fund grant by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to buy furniture and Equipment for the office.

These Funding Agencies have supported LCCA artistic events during its 20 years existence:


Ontario Arts Council

Canadian Heritage

Canada Council for the Arts

Toronto Arts Council

Ontario Trillium Foundation