Our Story
CIRCA-Pintig's roots trace back to the early 1980s when our founders, newly arrived from the Philippines, found support and inspiration in the immigrant communities of Chicago. Born from the experiences of political refugees and economic migrants, our organization embodies the resilience, creativity, and communal spirit of immigrant communities. The name "Pintig," meaning "heartbeat" or "pulse" in Filipino, reflects our commitment to keeping the vibrant pulse of immigrant cultures alive and strong in America's multicultural landscape. For over three decades, CIRCA-Pintig has been dedicated to empowering immigrant communities, honoring our founders' experiences, and paying forward the gifts of life and love that sustained us in our early years.
Our Mission
CIRCA-Pintig is dedicated to:
- Developing and popularizing a community arts aesthetic and pedagogy that speaks to the immigrant experience within America’s evolving multicultural landscape.
- Celebrating the diverse histories and artistic legacies of America’s cultural terrain through participatory art creation, including theater, visual arts, and digital media.
- Providing essential resources and grassroots services to immigrants through our Immigrant Resources (IR) initiative.
- Fostering education, organization, and mobilization (E-O-M) through community performances, workshops, and advocacy.
Our Vision
We envision vibrant communities where:
- Immigrants are fully empowered to determine their collective destinies and realize their hopes and dreams.
- Diverse voices are heard, celebrated, and preserved.
- Cultural traditions are shared and honored across generations.
- Art serves as a catalyst for social change, understanding, and community building.
- The spirit of mutual support and familial love that sustained our founders continues to thrive and inspire.
Our Beliefs
We believe in:
- The power of the arts to reflect and transform the immigrant experience.
- The importance of honoring our roots and the sacrifices of those who came before us.
- The strength found in community support and extended family networks.
- The vital role of grassroots services and resources in empowering immigrant communities.
- The transformative potential of education, organization, and mobilization.
Our Funders and Partners
We are very proud to work with the following programs
