The Paso del Norte Community Foundation is  pleased to announce that Azul Arena is the recipient of a generous two-year grant from the Mellon Foundation, designated to support capacity building and programming for our new cultural space in Ciudad Juárez, México.

Beginning in April of 2023, these funds will cover two full-time positions, facility maintenance, as well as countless paid opportunities for regional artists, curators, makers, and other professionals. The grant will also allow Azul Arena to put together up to four exhibitions per year under the leadership of Creative Director Edgar Picazo and the support of guest curators. Additionally, a robust community outreach and educational program will be organized and implemented by Community Engagement Director Anaid Fornelli.

The invitation to this grant came shortly after Azul Arena's successful fundraiser during El Paso Giving Day late last year, through which they raised over $20,000 with community donations as well as a matching grant by the estate of the late Lineaus Lorette. 

The inaugural show will be Chavalxs, a collaborative photographic project led by Alejandra Aragón. This exhibition is the result of a socially engaged initiative funded by the Border Narrative Change Grant given to the artist by the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) and the Ford Foundation. The exhibition is curated by León de la Rosa. 

"Azul Arena is an independent organization that has always relied on the support of our community, financial and otherwise. We would like to thank each and every one of you for helping the project during the past four years, allowing us to strengthen the artistic infrastructure of the border region through the diverse activities we have participated in. The growth of our project would also not be possible without the committed support and fiscal sponsorship of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation." - Edgar Picazo Merino, Creative Director of Azul Arena