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purpose history boardmembers
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purpose To culturally integrate the regions of California USA, and Baja California Norte, Mexico by creating, stimulating, and supporting cultural, educational and artistic activities; and validating existing regional culture, through the development of strong human relationships, human networks, and the exchange of experiences and workspace between artists and arts organizations. An organization like COFAC is a very important entity as a cultural
mediator at the grassroots level. The philosophical value in which
this organization works is in the concept of the Universal Border-frontier
which includes the phenomenon of encounters between diverse cultures,
with the purpose of creating a space for richer human relationships.
COFAC is an independent non-profit corporation 501(c)(3) (USA) and
an Asociaciòn Civil (Mexico), with self-determination and
a mandate to support the cultural activities that help in the creation
of bridges between cultures, and seek economic support from private
and public sectors for the realization of its purpose.
The beginning of COFAC was marked in 1995 when Adolfo Nodal, General Manager, Cultural Affairs Department City of Los Angeles, approached Luis Ituarte, Tijuana-born Artist, working for the Department as Director of "Art in the Park." Nodal commissioned Ituarte to serve as the liaison to arrange meetings with cultural leaders including artists and art administrators in Tijuana . The group consisted of the following: José Antonio Aguirre, artist On June 22, 1996 Adolfo Nodal visited Tijuana 's cultural centers and met with administrators and artists. Subsequently, Luis Ituarte coordinated a series of cultural exchanges between Los Angeles and Tijuana, B.C., Mexico, initiated under the programmatic umbrella entitled, "Bajo el Mismo Sol," (Under the same Sun), and included, for example: (1) Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra performed at El Centro Cultural de Tijuana (CECUT); (2) The Baja California Chamber Orchestra performed a concert in Los Angeles; (3) The Cuban musician Cachao gave a concert in Tijuana; (4) musicians such as Bobby Matos and Mazacote traveled from Los Angeles to Tijuana; (5) artists from Tijuana were invited to perform in Los Angeles and exhibit at the DADA Art show two years in a row; (6) presentations at "Sundays At Four" Program, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA); (7) "Poetas Por Pintores" (poets exchange for painters), July 2000 to June 2002; and (8) intellectuals from Tijuana participated in numerous conferences sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Department City Los Angeles. Over the past seven years both Cities exchanged artists, cultural
events, and activities among arts administrators. On July 28, 2003
Consejo Fronterizo de Arte y Cultura (COFAC) was granted non-profit
status as an international (501 (c) 3, art and culture organization
and took over the program. Luis Ituarte served as COFAC Board President,
2003-2005. The current President, Adolfo Nodal, is serving a three-year
term, 2006-2009.
OFFICERS Carmelita Garcia Montano, Vice President Luis Ituarte, 1 st Vice President Lourdes Lerma-Aguilar, Treasurer Gerda Govine-Ituarte, Ed.D., Secretary/Executive Director MEMBERS Angel Benson Cristina Ochoa Leobardo Sarabia Quiroz Professor Ariana Hernandez-Reguant, Ph.D.
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