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CreArte Latino Appoints Cinthia Peña as Full-Time Managing Director
Barancik Foundation Grant Fuels Growth and Long-Term Vision for Cultural Center
Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:55pm
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CreArte Latino Cultural Center has named Cinthia Peña as its new full-time managing director, a move made possible by a grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. Peña's dedication and experience will help strengthen the organization's internal systems and infrastructure, setting the stage for long-term growth and expansion of its arts and educational programs that celebrate Latino and Hispanic culture.
Why it matters
CreArte Latino has served as a vital creative hub for the Latino and Hispanic community in Sarasota and Manatee counties since 2012. Appointing Peña as full-time managing director, with the support of the Barancik Foundation, will allow the organization to build on its mission of fostering bilingual cultural exchange and making the arts more accessible.
The details
Peña first joined CreArte Latino in 2018 as a volunteer, later becoming the part-time director of marketing in 2022. In her new full-time role, she will oversee daily operations, financial management, fundraising, and external partnerships, while working closely with founder and artistic director Carolina Franco to develop programs that celebrate Latino and Hispanic culture.
- Peña first joined CreArte Latino as a volunteer in 2018.
- Peña became the part-time director of marketing in 2022.
- Peña was named the full-time managing director in January 2026.
The players
Cinthia Peña
The new full-time managing director of CreArte Latino Cultural Center, bringing a wide range of experience in fashion design, marketing, and nonprofit work focused on strengthening cultural heritage and community involvement.
Carolina Franco
The founder and artistic director of CreArte Latino Cultural Center, who expressed excitement about Peña's promotion and the opportunities it will create to pursue new artistic projects.
Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
A foundation that provided a grant to CreArte Latino, enabling the organization to strengthen its staffing, internal systems, and infrastructure to support long-term growth and expansion of its cultural programs.
What they’re saying
“Cinthia is exactly the leader we need. She doesn't just talk about our mission—she lives it. You see her passion for building a united, multicultural community in everything she does. With Cinthia on board full-time, I know we'll reach new heights.”
— Carolina Franco, Founder and Artistic Director
“I'm excited to work with Carolina to create programs that truly celebrate our culture, spark creativity, and expand opportunities for the Latino and Hispanic community we serve. Watching CreArte Latino grow, and seeing how much this space matters, is a real honor.”
— Cinthia Peña, New Full-Time Managing Director
What’s next
The Barancik Foundation's grant will allow CreArte Latino to focus on strengthening its internal systems and infrastructure, setting the stage for long-term growth and expansion of its cultural programs.
The takeaway
The appointment of Cinthia Peña as CreArte Latino's full-time managing director, supported by a grant from the Barancik Foundation, demonstrates the organization's commitment to celebrating Latino and Hispanic culture and making the arts more accessible to the community it serves.
