About
Mission
The Italian Educational & Cultural Center, Center for the Arts at Casa Colombo (IECC) strives to serve as a cultural multi-media link between the past and the future of the American and Italian communities. Utilizing the historical documents and artifacts that were the core of the original museum of the immigration collection, IECC seeks to inspire contemporary visual arts exhibits, performing arts presentations and concerts, literary expositions, educational programs, workshops, and cultural exchanges and make them available to the general public residing in Jersey City (NJ) and the surrounding Hudson County environs. It also seeks to serve as a center for the promotion of the arts and cultural activities by providing exhibition facilities for the visual arts and literary presentations as well as space for musical and other performances for artists of various genres residing in Jersey City and surrounding communities.
History
The Casa Colombo building on Monmouth Street in Jersey City is an important historical structure. Built by Italian immigrants in 1936, the edifice served for many years as a social center for Italians who settled in Jersey City. The exterior facade has gone virtually untouched since it was originally built. However, over the years, the interior has undergone many transformations. It now contains two art galleries, a performance space and the Heritage Hall which exhibits numerous artifacts brought to America by Italian Immigrants.
Officers
Chairman - Dr. Louis Iozzi
Vice Chairman - Michael Colucci
Secretary - Virginia Aprigliano-Laughlin
Treasurer - Daniel Apruzzese
Trustees
Augusto Ferretti
Anita Apruzzese
Rosemary Bergamo
Frances De Palma-Iozzi
Anne Curcio
Angelo Estrada
Giuseppe Munafo
Gina Verdibello
Executive Director
Carla Truncellito-Mastropierro
Welcome to the website for the Italian Educational & Cultural Center (IECC) and Center for the Arts at Casa Colombo (CACC). While a full statement of our mission can be found elsewhere in this website, in a nutshell, our objectives are to:
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Preserve our Italian heritage and culture;
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Present programs in the performing and visual arts;
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Present vocal and instrumental concerts in various genres of music – including
Opera, classical, jazz, rock, Italian, etc.
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Present art exhibits;
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Present lectures, book readings/signings, on various cultural, historical and contemporary issues.
All of our activities take place in our beautiful historic building, Casa Colombo. The building, located in Jersey City, was built in 1936 by Italian immigrants who donated their time, skills and money to build this beautiful edifice. Over the years, Casa Colombo has gone through many transformations, from a meeting place for Italian immigrants, to Italian Social Services center, to an Educational and Cultural Center, to a Museum of Immigration, to a Museum of Art, and finally to a Center for the Arts.
Most important, I want to emphasize that we are here for you – the citizens of Jersey City, Hudson County, and the surrounding areas. Please come visit with us. Come to our monthly programs (see our program and Art Exhibit schedules elsewhere on this site.). Take a few minutes to explore this site to see examples of what we are all about.
We have plans to expand our offerings over the coming years. We plan to expand our historic programs and dimensions in 2018. We want to offer workshops in the visual and performing arts. We would also like to offer additional programs for children and seniors, too.
However, we need your help. Your membership is very important and goes a long way toward helping us to continue our work. Please join us. There is a membership application elsewhere on this website. Please take a moment to complete the form and become a member of our organization. Of course, donations are also very welcome. We are a 501c3 organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Lastly, please come back to this website often to see our schedule of coming events and see photos of various past activities. Just as important, come to our events. They are not only interesting and entertaining, but in the true Italian tradition, food and refreshments are served at all events. I look forward to seeing you. Spero ci vediamo presto.
Dr. Louis A. Iozzi, President
IECC and CACC