named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Loisaida Artists in Residence (LAIR)
Residency program offering stipends, workspace, and public engagement opportunities for emerging and contemporary artists, with a focus on Latinx and socially engaged art
Loisaida Cultural Archives
Initiative to collect, preserve, and share oral histories, art, photography, and documents reflecting the Puerto Rican, Nuyorican, and Latinx contributions to the neighborhood
Loisaida Festival
Annual neighborhood celebration on the Sunday before Memorial Day featuring music, theater, food, and cultural performances that affirm community presence and heritage
The Performer's Tinker Shop Den (PTSd)
Proposed street theater training school and performance collective offering free workshops in mime, clowning, and physical comedy for youth and marginalized adults
The Quality of Life in Loisaida / Calidad de Vida en Loisaida
Bilingual zine and publication series documenting community stories, resilience, and cultural life in the Lower East Side
activities · 11 groups
What they do
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 2 activities
- Provides artist residencies with material and programmatic supportRuns the Loisaida Artist in Residence (L.A.I.R.) program and other residency initiatives that offer stipends, workspace, mentorship, and public engagement events—including artist talks, flash exhibits, story circles, and culminating exhibitions or performances—for emerging and contemporary artists and collectives.
- Provides capacity-building support to emerging artists and leadersOffers space, mentorship, resources, and opportunities to emerging community leaders, artists, and creators across diverse disciplines to support their growth and community impact.
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Community Environmental Monitoring and Research 1 activity
- Advances environmental justice and clean energy educationImplements community science projects to improve public understanding of air quality impacts on health, develops custom environmental monitoring tools, produces hazard maps, and leads multimedia campaigns and interactive exhibitions on environmental health risks in the Lower East Side.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Conducts culinary and food-access programmingHosts cooking presentations and monthly hands-on classes focused on Puerto Rican cuisine using family recipes and local ingredients, including the pilot season of La Cocina de Loisaida led by community member Maria Bido.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Delivers youth development and workforce training programsImplements youth internships and development initiatives such as a 6-week social practice and media production residency, and plans for a Street Theater Performing Company and Training School offering free classes in street theater, mime, clowning, and physical comedy for youth and young adults impacted by the justice system.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts the annual Loisaida FestivalOrganizes and hosts a neighborhood-wide cultural celebration on Avenue C from East 12th to East 5th Streets each year, featuring arts, performances, and community engagement.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Offers documentary filmmaking training and production supportProvides annual training in documentary filmmaking covering camera operation, interviewing, audio production, and video editing using professional software; supports participants in creating original short documentaries and hosts public screenings upon completion, including through the M.U.J.E.R. program which offers stipends to committed participants.
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Cultural Exchange and Community Integration Events 1 activity
- Offers multigenerational arts and cultural programsProvides a broad range of direct services including youth and senior programming, open mic events at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, panel discussions, art exhibitions, performances, workshops, and experimental gatherings that foster intergenerational cultural exchange and creative expression.
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Culturally Specific Support Services 1 activity
- Operates as a Puerto Rican multidisciplinary arts and culture organizationFunctions as a community development organization rooted in Puerto Rican culture, offering programming across arts, education, and social empowerment in the Loisaida neighborhood.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Presents Viva Loisaida! Awards annuallyHonors outstanding community leaders and cultural contributors through an annual awards program celebrating their impact on the Loisaida community.
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Community-Based Educational Programming 1 activity
- Provides affordable education in cultural fields and S.T.E.A.M.Offers accessible educational opportunities in cultural disciplines, S.T.E.A.M. design, and everyday life skills to connect learners, artists, scholars, and community members.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publishes The Quality of Life in Loisaida magazineProduces and distributes a community magazine that provides practical guidance on affordable living, shares information about local events, promotes artwork and cultural expression, and was revived in 2018 after originally running from 1978 to 1991.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$674K
Contributions & grants$673K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$900
expenses
Total expenses$693K
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$318K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.56M
Cash$14K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.20M
Net assets$364K
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +18.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAUL RUSSI | PRESIDENT | 1 | $998K |
| LYMARIS ALBORS | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 1 | $893K |
| JOSE A RODRIGUEZ | CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER | 1 | $593K |
| VICKY GATELL | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 1 | $489K |
board members · 6
- ANGEL AUDIFFRED — VICE CHAIR
- ANTHONY RIVERA — SECRETARY
- DEBORAH QUINONES — BOARD MEMBER
- HENRY COMAS — CHAIR
- MARLENE PERALTA — BOARD MEMBER
- WILFRED RENTA — TREASURER
relationships · 55
Who they work with
- Acacia Network Partner — Loisaida Inc. became the first Arts & Culture affiliate of the Acacia Network in September 2012 to enhance sustainability and expand place-keeping programs.
- Acacia Network Partner — Provides support for La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio through a donation.
- Acacia Network Partner — Supports Loisaida Inc programs
- Albert Nerken School of Engineering at the Cooper Union Partner — Works with students and faculty on the Ecolibrium project to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in neighborhoods.
- BombaYo Partner — Collaborates with Loisaida Inc. on cultural programming during the Loisaida Festival, integrating Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms into public events.
- Chicago Community Foundation Funder — Supports Loisaida Inc programs
- City Council Government — Partner in providing public funding for Loisaida Inc programs
- Community District Board 3 Government — Issued a unanimous resolution ensuring Loisaida Inc.’s inclusion in future development plans during the organization’s eviction threat in the late 2000s.
- Deena Ismail Partner — Co-founder and leader of the Listening Lab residency program
- Department of Youth and Community Development Government — Funds the M.U.J.E.R. program in partnership with the New York City Council and the Office of Council Member Carlina Rivera.
- Essex Market Partner — Partnership to present La Cocina de Loisaida cooking series at Essex Market.
- Ford Foundation Funder — Supports the LAIR program
- Fordham University Partner — Partnership with Loisaida Inc. for collaborative initiatives.
- Francisco “Pancho” Ramos Community Garden Partner — Co-hosts Festival events with Loisaida Inc., featuring traditional Puerto Rican music performances.
- Grand Street Settlement Network — Member of a collaborative peer network serving Latinx communities and artists in the Lower East Side.
- Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation Partner — Partnered with Loisaida Inc to facilitate conversations and events related to the Loisaida Cultural Archives.
- Harvey Epstein Government — City Councilwoman whose office supports Loisaida Inc programs
- Howard Gilman Foundation Funder — Supports the LAIR program
- Julio Martinez Memorial Fund Funder — Provides a generous donation supporting La Sala de Pepe y Foto Espacio.
- Julio Martinez Memorial Fund Funder — Supports Loisaida Inc programs
- Keith Powers Government — NYS Assembly Member supporting Loisaida Inc programs
- Latinx Arts Consortium of New York Network — Member of a collaborative peer network serving Latinx communities and artists in New York City.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Partner — Collaborates in support of LGBTQIA+ community members and allies.
- Loisaida Artistic Residency Program Partner — Collaborates with the Loisaida Artistic Residency Program to support the creation of a performing company and training school.
- MOSAIC Foundation of the New York Community Trust Funder — Supports the LAIR program
- Manhattan Borough President’s Office Government — Supports Loisaida Inc programs
- Manhattan City Council Office of Councilmember Marte Government — Partners with Loisaida, Inc. on the "Women in Bomba" series through the Cultural Immigrant Initiative.
- Manhattan City Council Office of Councilmember Rivera Government — Partners with Loisaida, Inc. on the "Women in Bomba" series through the Cultural Immigrant Initiative.
- Matthew Chavez Partner — Co-founder and leader of the Listening Lab residency program
- Matthijssen, Inc Funder — Supports the Loisaida Festival and the Loisaida community.
+ 25 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts-Integrated Community Developmentmethodology: arts_based_community_developmentBy integrating arts, media, and technology with education, science literacy, and social services, the organization advances economic and social empowerment because creative platforms lower barriers to learning, amplify underrepresented voices, and catalyze neighborhood revitalization.
- Cultural Affirmation as Community Resiliencemethodology: cultural-affirmationBy centering Puerto Rican, Nuyorican, Latiné, Caribbean, and Afro-Latinx cultural expression in art, food, language, and media, the organization strengthens collective identity, resists cultural erasure, and fosters community resiliency because cultural continuity is foundational to social empowerment and belonging.
- Intergenerational Cultural Transmissionmethodology: intergenerational_transmissionBy using arts, food traditions, archival work, and mentorship to connect youth with elders and historical memory, the organization sustains cultural heritage and builds identity because intergenerational learning reinforces continuity, placekeeping, and resistance to displacement.
- Participatory Co-Creation Modelmethodology: participatory_co_creationBy involving community members as co-creators in program design, artistic production, and storytelling, the organization increases engagement, ownership, and relevance of initiatives because participatory processes build trust, reflect lived experience, and sustain long-term involvement.