In January 2015, the National Institute of Flamenco will celebrate the grand opening of its new home at 1620 Central Avenue SE. The two-story brick building provides 3,800 square feet for three flamenco dance studios, administrative offices, retail space, and options for in-house flamenco tablao performances. The Directors and leadership of the organization enthusiastically support this next step forward for the National Institute of Flamenco as the first of many milestones to come in the rebuilding of the organization's infrastructure after the devastating fire in 2013. The new location will provide a cost-effective and secure mid-term solution, allowing the organization to continue the rigorous process of due diligence on a permanent facility.

Eva Encinias -Sandoval, Founder and Executive Director of the National Institute of Flamenco states, "When we said goodbye to our beloved home on Gold Avenue, we welcomed a new future and the opportunity to continue to enrich lives through this beautiful art of flamenco. We thank our community partners and the families who gave so generously to our organization during this past year. Acknowledging the commitment of our flamenco community, we are thrilled to take this next step forward together as a strategic phase of a larger process. We are excited to celebrate the year anniversary of the fire with news of this wonderful development."

The National Institute of Flamenco is working closely with Design Plus Architects on the creation of a Facilities Master Plan to guide the process of visionary planning, feasibility study and design rendering to permanently house the National Institute of Flamenco. The signing of a three-year lease at 1620 Central Avenue is a pivotal step as part of the organization's Facility Master Plan. Specifically, it will allow for the Institute to remain in close proximity to and maintain synergy with key programmatic partners. The National Institute of Flamenco is unwavering in its commitment to its students, patrons, and artists to assure the sustained growth and the co-creation of the future of flamenco in Albuquerque.

The Institute wishes to thank the innumerable community members and business that came forward with support during the difficult time after the fire. In particular, the National Institute of Flamenco recognizes the University of New Mexico Department of Theatre & Dance and Tierra Adentro of New Mexico Charter School for providing immediate assistance with the use of their facilities. The National Institute of Flamenco has taken up temporary residency at each institution since December 2013.

The National Institute of Flamenco eagerly looks forward to a bright new year at 1620 Central Ave with a new schedule of classes, fresh programming, and an eye to the future! Olé!

Support the National Institute of Flamenco's fire recovery efforts by visiting: http://www.nifnm.org