Santa Cruz
Created in 2004, the Espacio Simón I. Patiño in Santa Cruz is a cultural and educational centre open to all. Exhibitions, concerts, workshops, readings, training sessions and awareness activities come together here to spark creativity, share knowledge and bring culture closer to the people. It embodies the Foundation’s mission: making art, ecology and learning alive, accessible and transformative.
Opened in 2004 by the Simón I. Patiño Foundation, the Espacio in Santa Cruz is much more than a cultural centre: it is a vibrant crossroads where art, pedagogy, the environment and new technologies converge. Designed as a tool for social and educational transformation, it addresses a wide audience — children, youth, teachers and families — through a spirit of openness, participation and lasting impact.
Throughout the year, the Espacio hosts exhibitions of contemporary art, concerts, film screenings, conferences and literary gatherings. It showcases both Bolivian creativity and international artistic expressions, with a constant commitment to cultural dialogue. Each event is designed to be accessible, inspiring and collective.
The Centre offers a wide range of educational activities for children, teenagers and teachers. Creative workshops, educational games, media literacy training, and biodiversity projects foster critical thinking, curiosity and connections between academic knowledge and hands-on learning. A specialised library in ecology and biology completes the educational offer.
Since 2021, the Foundation has strengthened its strategy for promoting reading and creativity. The Espacio designs original initiatives combining literature, visual arts, theatre and digital tools through an interdisciplinary approach. The goal is to help young generations develop a personal connection to culture, knowledge and expression.
Aligned with key regional issues, the Espacio offers rich content on ecology, biology and sustainable resource management. These themes are interwoven throughout its artistic programme, educational workshops, exhibitions and conferences. Ecology is not a separate topic — it is a transversal educational matrix.
The Espacio Simón I. Patiño is deeply rooted in the city of Santa Cruz, yet its influence extends nationally. It is part of a coordinated network with the centres in Cochabamba and La Paz, aimed at strengthening access to culture, education and civic engagement across regions. As a place for gathering, exchange and collective creation, it fosters a vibrant, open culture serving dignity, creativity and civic awareness.
The Espacio encourages the joint participation of young people, adults and the elderly in its activities. Memory workshops, shared stories and public debates create exchange spaces where everyone can give and receive. This approach fosters inclusion, social cohesion and mutual respect between generations.
Beyond its cultural function, the Espacio acts as an incubator for ideas and civic practices. It welcomes collectives, supports participatory projects and offers its spaces to local initiatives. Experimentation lies at the heart of its dynamic — artistic, educational and social.
The Santa Cruz Centre is part of a national dynamic led by the Patiño Foundation. In connection with the Espacios in La Paz and Cochabamba, it contributes to co-developing content, training programmes and shared methodologies. Together, these places form a network of knowledge, culture and transformation.
The Espacio is a key local player deeply rooted in Santa Cruz. It works closely with schools, neighbourhood associations and local cultural institutions. This proximity strengthens the relevance of its work and its ability to meet the specific needs of the region.
Through its ability to connect art, education, ecology and civic participation, the Espacio embodies the DNA of the Simón I. Patiño Foundation. It gives form to the ideal of a vibrant, shared culture in the service of social progress. It is a place of experience, meaning and dignity at the heart of a transforming Bolivia.
Dozens of exhibitions, concerts and gatherings organised each year
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Over 100 educational activities offered annually to children, youth and teachers
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1 specialised library in ecology and biology, open to the public and schools
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By supporting the Espacio Simón I. Patiño in Santa Cruz, you help sustain a space where art, reading, pedagogy and ecology nourish future generations. Every donation supports tangible, accessible and transformative projects for local youth and tomorrow’s educators.
