Art . Community . Connections .

Camino al Arte is a nonprofit arts organization founded in 2015 by Cuban-born vocalist, bandleader, and cultural advocate Gerardo Contino to preserve and celebrate Afro-Latinx artistic traditions. Rooted in the rhythms of the Afro-Caribbean and the power of diasporic storytelling, the organization began as a cultural home for artists and communities excluded from mainstream arts institutions.

Today, Camino al Arte is evolving into a vibrant hub for transnational and diasporic creativity—supporting artists and communities from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and historically marginalized groups across the United States and Europe. Through performance, education, and intergenerational dialogue, we amplify the voices of tradition-bearers, cultural innovators, and creative disruptors working at the intersection of heritage and resistance.

Under the leadership of Gerardo Contino—himself a celebrated musician, cultural strategist, and legal advocate—Camino al Arte has:

• Produced hundreds of live performances and multidisciplinary events across New York City and nationally

• Led educational residencies and community workshops in schools, universities, and cultural centers

• Created professional opportunities for Afro-Latinx and global majority artists in music, dance, and visual arts

• Championed cultural preservation while fostering contemporary expressions rooted in lived histories and social justice

As we enter a new chapter, Camino al Arte is building out production and programming that bridges geographies and generations—from the streets of Havana and El Barrio to the refugee camps of Europe and the borderlands of the U.S.—to tell stories that shape memory, empower communities, and imagine just futures.