Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
Press Release
Announcing Dr. Martina Ayala as Next Executive Director
February 18, 2022
The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts has selected Dr. Martina Ayala as its next Executive Director. Dr. Ayala will succeed Jennie Rodriguez, who is transitioning this Spring after 24 years leading the organization.
Dr. Martina Ayala is a visionary leader, founder and pioneer of innovative programs and schools, consultant, and management executive of 35 years, working for different institutions of higher education, and social service nonprofits serving inter-generational multicultural communities.
An award-winning filmmaker, recognized educator, and community leader. She has curated art exhibits in San Francisco and Los Angeles focusing on the Day of the Dead, gentrification, curanderismo and women. Dr. Ayala has produced numerous concerts and cultural events throughout the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Mexico.
She is an academic scholar and activist that holds a Doctorate in International and Multicultural Education from University of San Francisco. Her life’s work has focused on Chicano film, spirituality, literacy through the arts, and issues related to education, inclusion, social justice, immigrants, people of color, family strengthening, resilience, and trauma informed care.
“I appreciate the board’s confidence in me. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead such a great organization. The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts is resilient, and I know we can move forward and continue to provide the excellent arts and cultural programing to our community and beyond.”
As executive director, Dr. Ayala will work closely with staff and the MCCLA board to ensure the organization can continue to adapt to serve the community through the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and beyond.
About the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA) is an arts nonprofit that was founded in 1977 and is located at 2868 Mission Street in the Mission District in San Francisco, California. MCCLA provides art studio space, art and dance classes, an art gallery, and a theater. MCCLA’s graphics department is called Mission Grafica, and features at studio for printmaking and is known for the hand printed posters. The center's building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 29, 2020.