Fundación Casa Mi Rey
Fundación Casa Mi Rey develops and delivers free, community-centered arts and cultural programs in Vieques, Puerto Rico. All programs are designed to expand access to arts education, support local creative ecosystems, and foster responsible cultural exchange.
1. Local Artist & Cultural Support Program
Program Overview
Vieques faces structural limitations in access to sustained arts programming, professional development opportunities for artists, and free cultural education for residents. Geographic isolation and limited cultural infrastructure reduce long-term visibility and support for local creative practitioners.
Fundación Casa Mi Rey addresses these challenges by supporting Vieques-based artists and cultural practitioners through accessible initiatives that strengthen local creative networks and expand community access to the arts.
Who the Program Serves
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Vieques-based artists and cultural practitioners
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Local residents of all ages
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Students, educators, and community members interested in arts and cultural learning
How the Program Operates
The Foundation organizes year-round initiatives that include:
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Curated exhibitions and public presentations featuring local artists
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Free workshops and educational activities open to the community
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Studio visits and artist interviews that document and amplify local practices
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Promotion of Vieques-based artists through digital platforms and institutional networks
All programs are offered free of charge and are developed in dialogue with local artists and community members to ensure relevance, accessibility, and respect for local cultural contexts.
Key Initiative: Puertas Abiertas – Taller de Artista
(Open Studio with the Artist)
Puertas Abiertas – Taller de Artista is a recurring community program that invites the public into the working spaces of Vieques-based artists. Through open studio visits, participants engage directly with artists’ creative processes, recent works, and lived practices.
Each session fosters dialogue, informal arts education, and community connection while increasing the visibility of local artists. When relevant, activities may also integrate community action components—such as environmental or social initiatives—encouraging active participation while learning.
This initiative strengthens the local creative ecosystem by centering artists’ voices, encouraging public engagement, and reinforcing art as a shared community resource.
Public Relevance
By expanding access to free arts education, increasing the visibility of local artists, and creating opportunities for direct community engagement, this program contributes to cultural continuity, civic participation, and quality of life in Vieques. The initiative strengthens the local creative ecosystem while fostering inclusive participation in cultural life.
2. Biolumina Artist Residency
Program Overview
Many artists working outside Vieques have limited opportunities for structured cultural exchange with island communities that prioritize education, ethical engagement, and public access. At the same time, local communities benefit from sustained interaction with visiting artists who contribute diverse perspectives and shared knowledge.
Biolumina Artist Residency responds to this need by inviting artists from outside Vieques to participate in a residency program centered on cultural exchange, education, and community engagement.
Who the Program Serves
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National and international artists selected through an open call and jury review process
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Vieques-based artists and cultural practitioners engaging in exchange with visiting artists
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Local residents, students, educators, and community members participating in public programs
How the Program Operates
Biolumina Artist Residency is a studio and residency program located on the grounds of Casa Mi Rey. Visiting artists are selected through an open call evaluated by a jury of arts professionals based on artistic merit and demonstrated commitment to public engagement.
During their residency, selected artists are required to contribute to the community through free, publicly accessible activities, such as:
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Public talks or artist presentations
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Free workshops or educational sessions
The residency emphasizes cultural exchange, dialogue, and shared learning rather than production-based outcomes.
Public Relevance
By facilitating structured cultural exchange between visiting artists and the Vieques community, Biolumina Artist Residency expands access to arts education and diverse artistic perspectives. The program supports lifelong learning, strengthens local creative networks, and promotes responsible and reciprocal engagement between artists and host communities.