You’ll see LightHouse students, alumni, and young professionals running the show—literally. They’re greeting guests, helping in the kitchen, learning to mix sound and run lights, filming content, and learning to book and promote events. Each performance is both an audience experience and a hands-on learning opportunity.

De la Luz brings internationally acclaimed artists to Holyoke. These world-class shows are part of our vision to be a cultural anchor in a region where:

• 53.3% of Holyoke residents are Hispanic/Latino
• 28% of Hampden County residents are Black or African American
• More than 500,000 people live in the Greater Springfield area
• Access to arts and cultural experiences remains limited

We operate on two complementary tracks:

1. Presenting top-tier performances for our community
2. Providing hands-on, industry-based education in the technical arts

This synergy builds an ecosystem where art and education fuel each other—and where transformation is tangible.

In a region with:

• 26.5% poverty rate (double the state average)
• 8.1% unemployment (highest in MA)
• 7.7% dropout rate
• 84% of Holyoke youth classified as moderate-to-high risk
• Racial disparities in juvenile justice (73% of youth arrests are youth of color)
• Highest teen pregnancy rate in the state

...De la Luz offers a powerful response.

We:

• Create equitable access to creative careers
• Provide engaging alternatives to traditional school
• Prepare youth for industries with 20–107% job growth
• Offer positive pathways out of intergenerational poverty

Build cross-cultural understanding through diverse programming

Our integrated approach makes De la Luz a national model for what school, performance, and community transformation can look like—together.

When international artists perform on our stages, they’re not just entertaining—they’re inspiring the next generation of creative professionals.

Thank you for being part of it.