Urban -15 Group

URBAN-15s CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTSIn 2003, URBAN-15 purchased a property at 2500 S. Presa. This site consists of a three-building, 22,777 sq. ft. Complex that includes a red brick church, a two-story dormitory, and a one-story structure with an enclosed garden. This is now the permanent home of the URBAN-15 Group, as it transforms the campus into the Center for Celebration Arts, to include a 100-seat auditorium a rehearsal, studio spaces, classrooms and internet broadcast studio as well as a licensed industrial kitchen. With its diversity of programs and projects, URBAN-15 remains committed to a broad vision of arts creation and mentoring into the future. Some of these ongoing programs and projects include:CARNAVAL DE SAN ANTO: Now in its 35th year, CDSA is our multi-generational, award winning drum and dance ensemble. With dancers and musicians of all ages, all sizes, and all abilities, CDSA has revolutionized community access to music and dance. Their major performances include Fiesta Parades. UTOPIAN PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE: The touring wing of CDSA, often used as cultural ambassadors for our beautiful city. This ensemble officially represented San Antonio at the presidential inaugurations of Obama, Bush, and Clinton; on tours of Mexico via the US State Department and in the annual Carnaval de los Muertos Procession. The audiences of their performances number in the millions through live and television appearances. THE CULTIVATION PROJECT: YOUTH: A free, year-round Music, Media, and Movement program with artists in the schools, events in our studio and major citywide concerts. Programs include the annual.Holiday Laser Show, which has served over 7,000 children from schools and community centers in and around San Antonio. Josiah Youth Media Festival celebrating its 16th year as one of the longest running international youth media festivals. Good things happen when good seeds are planted. We are planting seeds that cultivate the quality of life.INTERNET STREAMING VIDEO LAB: A real-time internet video streaming studio for broadcasting performances and classes. Free in U-15 Studio with live audience and Internet Live Streamed Broadcast. Productions include theHidden Histories an eMagazine web series that preserves the untold stories, which make San Antonio a cultural treasure highlighting the rich heritage of the past 300 years of its existence and provide a vision for the future MEDIA FESTIVALS AND WORKSHOPS: Screenings of local to international media productions, including the annual Manhattan Short Film Festival, as well as workshops which provide professional and community technical assistance.