Who are we?

Centro Cultural Apoyo
Centro Cultural Apoyo was founded in 2011 with the goal of integrating Nicaraguan arts and sciences.  The Center includes:  Proyecto Ecologico which was founded in 1989 with two field stations, at Lagunas de Apoyo and Xiloa, a Spanish school, art gallery, and lodge. In addition, the Center can be rented for conferences of up to 30 people.

Centro Cultural Apoyo offers a variety of services for artists, professional researchers, students and tourists with an interest in nature and/or learning or improving their Spanish.

Services include:

  • Workshops
  • Cultural excursions
  • Specialty nature and hiking tours
  • Guided tours of parks, protected areas, and private reserves.
  • Scuba diving
  • Spanish lessons
  • Camping

Day visitors are always welcome to visit, see the art and have a cup of our own locally grown organic coffee!

New Exhibition Opening for the International Day of Peace!

Submitted by marshall.caitlinann
on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 02:38

Inaugural Exhibition!

Submitted by mrmckaye
on Wed, 08/03/2011 - 17:29

The Apoyo Cultural Center would like to warmly invite everyone to our inaugural exhibition celebrating the International Year for People of African Descent on the 6th of August.  The exhibition will run until August 25th for those that can not make the opening. Hope to see you there!

Spanish Teacher Workshop

Submitted by mrmckaye
on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 00:00

The Apoyo Spanish School at Centro Cultural Apoyo is pleased to announce a partnership with two of the oldest and best Spanish Schools in Nicaragua - Nicaragua Spanish Institute, Masaya run by Bismarck  and the Nicaragua Spanish School, Granada run by Raul Gavarrette.

Bismarck was the original head instructor of the Proyecto Ecologico (now Centro Cultural Apoyo) Spanish School and along with his brother, Raul, provided the high quality classes that the school had become known for under the original management.  In the interim they have both set up their own high quality Spanish schools in Nicaragua but are happy to be back at Laguna de Apoyo working with us. This partnership not only brings some of the best Spanish teachers back to Centro Cultural Apoyo, but also gives us access to the largest pool of highly qualified, and trained Spanish teachers in Nicaragua. This will allow us to provide ultimate flexibility in course scheduling, group sizes, and class locations.

The Centro Cultural Spanish School, under directorship of Donaldo Silva, is working with the Nicaragua Spanish Institute and the Nicaragua Spanish School to create the first integrated teaching curriculum and qualification for Spanish schools in Nicaragua. Teachers at all three schools will be required to attend a series of workshops held by Donaldo Silva, Raul Gavarrette, and Bismarck  to ensure the same high quality classes at each school.  A student at Centro Cultural Apoyo, for example, will be able to go Masaya or Granada and pick up exactly where he or she left off in the course.

To find out more about our partners go to http://www.nicaragua-spanish-lessons.com/ and http://www.nicaraguaspanishinstitute.com/

Austrian Film Makers Visit CCA

Submitted by mrmckaye
on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 14:54

Jenseide, A group of young Austrian film-makers, came to Centro Cultural Apoyo to screen their recent documentary film "La Revolución Olividada." The film has been touring European film festivals and the group brought  it back to Nicaragua to get local opinions. Aided by Casa de los Tres Mundos, our partner, Jenseide held screenings in both big cities such as Granada as well as smaller villages and farms. Apoyo was their final stop before heading to the beach to get in some well deserved surfing before returning to Austria.

Filmed in Nicaragua, the movie takes a look at the Sandanista revolution and how Nicaragua has come full circle with Daniel Ortega back in power.  It is a critique of politics and a look at life in Nicaragua told through interviews with a farmer, a teacher, and others just trying to lead their lives. The film, however, is not without controversy and has received a variety of reactions spanning the entire possible spectrum. While some feel that is is a propaganda piece for the Sandanista party, others feel it is a damning condemnation of what the movement has become. Jenseide graciously left us a copy so you can come and make your own decision.

For more information about Jenseide please take a look at their website http://jenseide.at/

For those who love beer, we also recommend their amazing Rube Goldberg machine featured below:

Centro Cultural Apoyo Cleans Up the Beach

Submitted by mrmckaye
on Sat, 03/26/2011 - 15:47

On Saturday, March 26 Centro Cultural helped with a clean up of Laguna de Apoyo beach.

Caleb preparing for underwater clean up

The event, organized by MARENA and AMICTLAN, had over 300 volunteers that ranged from scout groups to private individuals looking to help protect this unique environment. Hopefully, when visitors see the pristine, clean beaches they will remember to place their garbage in proper collecting recepticles located around the lake.

While staff of Centro Cultural Apoyo frequently maintain the beach in front of the property, this was an opportunity for us to be part of something bigger. Mark McKaye, the acting director of CCA, and Caleb Anderson, a visiting student from the United States, donned scuba gear and went garbage collecting under the water where most of the clean up crew could not reach. Each returned with a full sack of garbage that included underwear, swim trunks, cds, dolls, broken rum bottles, and even a 100 Cordobas bill!

For more information about the clean up take a look at AMICTLAN's website http://www.amictlan.com/ .

In partnership with Ensome, we are organizing a clean up of Laguna de Xiloa please stay tuned for additional information!

Clowns come to Centro Cultural Apoyo!

Submitted by mrmckaye
on Sun, 03/06/2011 - 15:47

Thanks to the Escuela de Comedia y Mimo, the first event of Centro Cultural Apoyo was a huge success. They gave a high energy performance of everything from clowning to acrobatics and juggling to over 100 local school children and their families. 

Diego Gené, the director of the Escuela de Comedia y Mimo, came down with 12 members of the school that included clowns, mimes, acrobats, jugglers, and volunteers.  After the performance they were invited to stay at the Center to relax, go swimming, and enjoy Laguna de Apoyo. From all accounts they had a good time and hope to have them back for additional performances and to do workshops with the local schools.

To see more images of the event take a look at the gallery entitled "Clowns!"

For more information about the Escuela de Comedia y Mimo and how you can support them please look at their website www.escueladecomedia.org.

Centro Cultural Takes Part in 48GoGreen Film Competition

Submitted by mrmckaye
on Mon, 02/21/2011 - 00:00

Mark McKaye, acting director of Centro Cultural Apoyo, and Nicole Landau participated in the international 48GoGreen film competition under the production name Ensome.

Born out of the well established 48 Hour Film Project, 48GoGreen enourages film makers of all ages to write, direct, and film a short movie with an environmental theme in only 48 hours. This was the first year that the competition allowed teams from anywhere in the world to submit their movies online. Ensome has the distinction of being the only team entry in Central America. The winner of the international competition gets a $5,000 prize and is screened at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival.

The project could not of been completed without the support of the Escuela de Comedia y Mimo in Granada, who lent us space, kids, great imagery, and a free lunch. We look forward to working closely with the Escuela de Comedia y Mimo on future projects.

For more information on those involved in the project please take a look at http://www.ensomeinfo.com and http://www.escueladecomedia.org.

For more information on 48 Hour Film Project and 48GoGreen please take a look at www.48hourfilm.com and www.48gogreen.com

 

 

 

 

Feedback