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Contents History
and Purpose
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The Center for Cuban Studies opened in New York City in 1972, organized by a group of scholars, writers, artists and other professionals who hoped to counter the effects of U.S. policy toward Cuba. The 1961 U.S. ban on trade with and travel to Cuba, followed by the break in diplomatic relations, had created a de facto embargo on information about Cuba. The Center has served as a vital communication link between the U.S. and Cuba through its publications, organized tours, library services, exchange programs and art projects. Our membership program and activities have helped close the information gap that existed and have brought the Cuban experience closer to us. A major goal of the Center's work remains unrealized — the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba. It is hoped that through an ever-expanding program of news, information and exchanges, the Center can contribute to the realization of that goal. The Center relies on membership to continue its work. All members receive the CUBA Update and regular mailings about Center-sponsored events, trips, and developments in U.S.-Cuba relations. Membership entitles you to a 20% discount on most items for sale and to participate in members-only functions. Supporting and sustaining members, in addition, receive notices about visiting Cuban artists and experts, are invited to events for supporters and sustainers only and can call upon Center staff for special requests. Annual memberships are $60 (regular), $100 (supporting) and $150 / $250 (sustaining). Institutional and foreign membership is $70. Students and senior citizens from the U.S. can join at the special rate of $40. For further information, write: CCS Membership, Center for Cuban Studies, 231 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001; fax: (212) 242-1937; phone: (212) 242-0559; e-mail: cubanctr@igc.org. CUBA Update is no longer published. Back issues are available. They focus discussion on immigration, sexual politics, sustainable development, women, travel, the U.S. embargo, and a special number is devoted to director Tomás Gutiérrez Alea. CUBA Update is being continued in part by CUBA Update Online and a soon to be published short monthly newsletter of analysis and CCS news to be sent to members. The newsletter cannot be subscribed to separately. In keeping with our commitment to provide U.S. citizens with information about Cuba, the Center organizes trips to Cuba for both groups and individuals that fall within the legal exemptions to the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba, i.e., professional research, news-gathering, educational study, and religious study. The Center has developed dozens of seminars, including ones on the African roots of Cuban culture, Cuba's economic crisis, architecture and urban planning, health care, film, the performing and visual arts, religion, law and justice, education, day care and the environment. The Center offers its expertise and experience to both groups and individuals by arranging custom-planned research trips. For further information, contact Sandra Levinson. In response to the severe shortages in Cuba, the Center set up the Lifeline Fund, which enables contributors to donate much-needed materials to Cuban institutions. These materials include medicines and medical supplies, religious artifacts, artists' supplies, educational materials, etc. For further information, or to send a donation, write the Lifeline Fund, c/o Center for Cuban Studies. Among the many prestigious Center sponsors (partial list) are: Harry Belafonte, Julie Belafonte, Jean Carey Bond, Noam Chomsky, Johnnetta B. Cole, Francis Coppola, Jules Feiffer, Timothy Harding, Max Kozloff, Saul Landau, William LeoGrande, Lee Lockwood, Grace Paley, Sydney Pollack, Gregory Rabassa, Karen Ranucci, Michael Ratner, Toshi and Pete Seeger, Stanley Sheinbaum, Michael Tigar, Rip Torn, Nelson Valdés, Paula Weinstein, and John Womack, Jr. The Center for Cuban Studies is a non-profit corporation with tax-exempt status. All contributions to the Center are tax-deductible. |
