Gracias Rincon Criollo!

(Spanish)
The Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center is one of four active cultural centers on the mainland US affiliated with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture for our offering of authentic, high-quality cultural programming. We have created an anchor in the Southwest United States for Puerto Rican culture as one of the few cultural centers in the country, and the only in all of Texas and our four surrounding states, offering ongoing performance and educational programs in the full cross-section of traditional dance, music and culture for children through adults, as well as a professional-level performing company under one roof. Founded by Ana Maria Maynard in 1997, the mission of our Non-Profit (501(c)(3)) is to promote cultural awareness and pride through authentic performances and high-quality educational programs in performing arts, culture, and the historical development of Puerto Rico's customs and traditions. Our all-volunteer run cultural center offer performances in folklore, cultural arts education, and cultural events for the community. Our cultural center is home to Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance, our professional-level performing company of dancers and musicians who perform at cultural events throughout the year. Our achievement and quality has been validated by repeat support by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, and others.

Our cultural center is dedicated to the preservation and authentic representation of Puerto Rican culture. Trained by the masters on the Island, we are one of the few on the mainland US with the expertise to teach and perform the full cross-section of folklore from Puerto Rico, Bomba, Plena, Seis, and Danza. Our classes for children through adults, beginners through professional level, teach traditional dance, music, culture, and history. Our Workshops in Puerto Rican Studies & Sports offers workshops in topics beyond the performing arts such as literature, food, history, arts, crafts, and more. Our programs are attracting those experiencing Puerto Rican culture for the first time, as well as Puerto Ricans interested in learning more about or sharing their culture with others.

Our professional-level company of dancers and musicians, Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance, annually produces two full-length, mainstage productions, and performs at cultural events throughout the year for universities, television, the arts and local community, and for children with special needs. Our website receives over 2,000 visitors each week from around the world and is providing a valuable resource on the music and dances of our culture to the world-wide-web community. Our hard work and carefully documented research is benefiting educators, students, and a variety of organizations searching for research material on Puerto Rican music and dances.

The disciplined, family atmosphere at PRFDance is a nurturing environment that is creating a sense of community and attracting youth and adults seeking a sense of cultural pride and positive role models. Our volunteer-run corporation and cultural center is providing opportunities to develop real-world skills in teaching, business, and computer-based business applications. Our educational programs are providing leadership opportunities to teens. Young families are choosing Austin as home to keep their children near our hard-to-find cultural arts programs. We encourage "family unity" by allowing parents to stay and watch class, and support teens' challenges with activities and interations that inspire positive direction, nurture self-esteem, and build self-confidence.

Music and dance is a very important part of the Puerto Rican culture and we are very proud to share it with the Central Texas and world-wide-web community. The Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center is dedicated to those who come seeking a world-class education in culture and folklore, who wish to discover and celebrate their identity, who yearn to become connected to a community, who will inspire and be inspired by role models, mentors and friends, and who, inside our walls, find a sense of pride and a dream for the future. We have been named the Ambassadors of Puerto Rican culture in Austin. We are contributing to Central Texas' cultural diversity by sharing the joy and liveliness of the Puerto Rican people, and the color and richness of our beautiful heritage.

Read about our History and Future.
Print our Brochure.