National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico to Name Gallery in Honor of Bill and Melinda Gates as National Visiblility Campaign is Launched

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico -- The Hispanic Culture Foundation has announced that a gallery in the National Hispanic Cultural Center's Visual Arts facility will be named to honor Bill Gates and his wife Melinda Gates.

Edward Lujan, co-chair of the Capital Campaign for the Center, acknowledged the receipt of a major gift from Bill and Melinda Gates. "We are honored to name one of the galleries in the Visual Arts facility for Bill and Melinda Gates. Their generous gift to the Center is greatly appreciated."

The Center's Visual Arts facility offers 10,000 square feet of exhibit space and is designed to facilitate the planning and presentation of relevant museum exhibitions focused on traditional and contemporary Hispanic arts and humanities. It will serve as a comprehensive learning center linking schools, school systems, cultural institutions and community resources.

The gift resulted from a request for support from Sol Trujillo, CEO of U S WEST and co-chair of the Center's National Corporate Campaign. Upon learning of the gift, Mr. Trujillo commented, "The Gates' gift to this project confirms the national and international importance of this center. We look forward to numerous other national corporations participating in a similar way."

Edward Lujan confirmed that approximately a dozen sponsorship conversations are in various stages of progress with national and international corporations. The Hispanic Culture Foundation is preparing to launch the national visibility component of the campaign with events planned in 10-12 cities across the United States. Hispanic Magazine founder, Alfred "Fred" Estrada, has provided support for the national visibility effort. Presentations and events are also being planned throughout New Mexico through the financial support of the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM).

The National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico will serve as the focal point for the study, advancement, and presentation of Hispanic arts and humanities. Groundbreaking took place on February 13, 1999 with a grand opening expected in the fall of 2000.