Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The City of Brownsville and the Mitte Cultural District are proud to announce a 40-year lease and operation agreement that will be transforming the former Brownsville Museum of Fine Art (BMFA) building into “The Mitte: Arts and Cultural Center,” a vibrant space that will celebrate community, art, history, and innovation.
Located at 660 E. Ringgold Street, the new Mitte Arts and Cultural Center will house rotating and permanent art exhibitions, live performances, academic programs, an arts incubator, community art education including visual, music, and writing classes, and a tourism and visitor center. The center will also include a multi-use event hall, catering kitchen, and wellness offerings.
“This partnership represents a long-term investment in Brownsville’s cultural vitality and the community’s quality oflife,” said Mayor John Cowen, Jr., City of Brownsville. “It’s a powerful collaboration that strengthens our City’scommitment to the arts, education, and economic development. The transformation of this facility will ensure that generations of Brownsville residents and visitors can enjoy, learn, and connect in meaningful ways.”
As part of the agreement, the Mitte Cultural District will invest a minimum of $2.5 million in capital improvements that will enhance the space over the next 18 months.
“I am honored to lead this next chapter for The Mitte Cultural District,” said Daniella Lopez Valdez, Executive Director.“The new Mitte Cultural Center will be a place where creativity flourishes, stories are shared, and people of all backgrounds come together. This is more than a building, it is a promise to our community to uplift our heritage and empower future generations.”
Through co-programming and collaborative partnerships with local cultural and educational institutions such as the Children’s Museum of Brownsville, the Brownsville Historical Association, Revival of Cultural Arts (ROCA), TexasSouthmost College, and Gladys Porter Zoo, the Mitte Arts and Cultural Center will serve as a central hub for innovation and community engagement.
“The new Mitte Arts and Cultural Center will be a boost to the entire tourism ecosystem in and around the Mitte Cultural District, Linear Park, and our nationally accredited Gladys Porter Zoo,” said Helen Ramirez, ICMA-CM,AICP, Brownsville City Manager. “We hired a museum consultant who took in community feedback and applied best practices, while assisting the City with the Request for Interest process that has led us to this important milestone.”
The City and Mitte Cultural District are finalizing planning and renovation phases with a public opening anticipated inlate 2026. The Mitte Cultural District is committed to ensuring the new center reflects the voices and visions of theBrownsville community. In the coming months, public input opportunities, calls for artists, and preview events will be shared as planning advances. In the meantime, the City and the District are working together to maintain and preserve the BMFA art collection previously housed in the building. The art collection will be displayed for public enjoyment once an exhibition plan is in place.
Both the City and the Mitte Cultural District will host a press conference on July 28, 2025, at 10:30AM, at 660 E Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX 78520, to bring this update directly to the public.
Information source: City of Brownsville
