Established in 1972.

The Center for Cuban Studies opened 40 years ago. Its stated mission was, and is, to provide information about contemporary Cuba that will contribute to a normalization of relations between Cuba and the U.S. Practically, this meant we first built a library of resource materials and gathered together experts to talk about Cuba. From the beginning the library collection has included not only books and periodicals, but also recordings, films, and examples of the visual arts. In 1991, the Center spearheaded and won a lawsuit (Dore Ashton v. Newcomb) against the U.S. Treasury Department to legalize the importation of original art from Cuba. In 1999, the Center opened the Cuban Art Space to showcase contemporary Cuban art, photography and graphics we had been collecting for more than 25 years. To make Cuban art even more accessible, the Center offers parallel programming: film showings, music and dance performances, speakers from both Cuba and the U.S.