The Phoenix-based nonprofit is celebrating its 15th anniversary by opening CASA CALA, a new multidisciplinary art space in downtown Phoenix. Located at 1005 E. Madison St., #3, CASA CALA will officially open its doors to the public with an open house celebration on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to tour the space, meet artists-in-residence Samantha Vo and Omar Soto, and learn about upcoming programs and events.
CALA Alliance's leaders are, from left, Sofía Dominguez, Saúl Míllan, Francisco Diaz and Stephanie Roman.
CALA Alliance
Founded in 2010 by Myra Millinger, José Cárdenas, Ruben Alvarez and Grady Gammage Jr., CALA — short for Celebración Artística de las Américas — has grown from producing cultural festivals into a multifaceted organization that nurtures Latinx and borderlands artists through residencies, commissions, workshops and community engagement.
CASA CALA is more than just a studio space — it’s a cultural hub designed to host everything from artist residencies and skill-sharing workshops to public events and collaborative gatherings. Before this space, the organization relied on renting venues. This new space gives CALA the capacity to do what we’ve always wanted — open studio, community programming and create a deeper sense of belonging.
At the core of CALA’s mission is supporting emerging artists — not just creatively, but practically. “What folks are really interested in is developing their own capacity as an artist,” Roman explains. “So one of the workshops we’re offering isn’t even art-related — it’s about business skills, how they market themselves, so that they continue to advance professionally within their career.”
CALA resident artist Estephania González participates in a performance at ASU Art Museum.
Shaunte Glover
CALA’s artist residency model offers 12-week residencies, artist commissions and scholarships and access to mentorship and training to empower artists to think of themselves as entrepreneurs and thrive in the arts ecosystem.
Though CALA’s new home base is in downtown Phoenix, its reach is expanding. Roman, who grew up in Maryvale, is bringing programming to areas historically underserved by the arts. “This year especially, we're taking our activities to Maryvale — where there’s not one arts and culture organization,” she says, emphasizing the importance of going where the need is.
The organization’s programming remains mobile, intentionally connecting with diverse neighborhoods across the Valley and beyond. That includes cultural exchanges with artists outside of Arizona and a commitment to building cross-border relationships. “We’re really ramping up our CALA Presenta stage,” Roman says, while also keeping their cultural literacy program, How I Became an Artista.
While rooted in Latinx culture, CALA’s approach is intentionally expansive and inclusive. Roman explains that to be Latinx doesn't mean you have to be from one specific area. “It means you hold multiple identities at the same time. For me, it’s really important to expand that understanding.”
That expansion includes CALA’s online presence, which will soon evolve into a bilingual platform that shares artist stories, program updates, and cultural resources in both English and Spanish.
To mark its 15th anniversary, CALA will soon launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise $15,000 — a symbolic goal tied to its quinceañera moment. The funds will help support continued programming, artist support, and the development of CASA CALA as a community anchor.
Whether you’ve been part of CALA’s journey since the beginning or are discovering their work for the first time, the June 14 open house offers a glimpse of what’s next. Besides meeting the resident artists, Samantha Vo and Omar Soto, CASA
CALA will have interactive stations, including live screen-printing; the first 30 kids will receive a free T-shirt and learn to screen-print, and guests are also encouraged to bring their own T-shirts or tote bags to join in. Guests will also be able to enjoy free food and coffee, raffle giveaways and a welcoming atmosphere to connect, converse and celebrate community. You can show up at any time! Registration is not mandatory, but encouraged.
