The Condado Collection has embraced a new role as an ambassador of art in Puerto Rico, thanks to an unprecedented program that connects hospitality with the island’s cultural wealth—an initiative of Paulson Puerto Rico, owner of the hotel portfolio. Through this innovative proposal, professionals from Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, La Concha Resort, and Condado Ocean Club, who interact directly with visitors and tourists, will have the opportunity to visit the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico in Santurce, experiencing firsthand the invaluable value of its collections and historical legacy.
“This gesture, simple in form but profound in impact, will have a multiplying effect by turning those who work in our hotels into true ambassadors of cultural and artistic experiences in Puerto Rico, becoming voices capable of enriching the experience of those who visit us and wish to immerse themselves in the essence of the island,” said Rolando Padua, president of Paulson Puerto Rico. “We recognize that culture is a pillar of human and professional development, and that bringing our employees closer to the richness of the museums will allow them to transmit the magnitude and value of the internationally renowned collections the island holds. In this way, Paulson Puerto Rico assumes a new role as an ambassador of art,” added Ben Tutt, Managing Partner of The Condado Collection.
As part of this effort, hotel employees who interact daily with tourism will take part in a two-hour guided tour during their regular workday, compensated by the company, through the galleries of the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. This tour will also include an immersive experience with the curator of the special exhibition from the Museo de Arte de Ponce, hosted in the Santurce museum. This initiative is part of an alliance established by both museums in 2022, bringing the treasures of the Ponce institution closer to the metropolitan area through its fourteen galleries. “Paulson Puerto Rico is proud to have been a collaborator and sponsor for more than a decade of both the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico and the Museo de Arte de Ponce, supporting their mission of preserving, promoting, and bringing artistic and cultural heritage closer to the community and visiting public,” explained Padua about the alliance. “This program we are establishing with our employees is part of that same commitment and support.”
This program, designed and implemented by Paulson Puerto Rico, will in its first stage impact 120 employees from The Condado Collection’s hotel portfolio. Over five consecutive weeks, groups of twenty employees will tour the galleries under the guidance of a curator, exploring the permanent collections as well as the Museo de Arte de Ponce’s exhibition Nostalgia por mi isla (Nostalgia for My Island), which presents representative works of key masters from the 18th century through the first half of the 20th century.
The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, designed according to the most advanced standards of contemporary museography, integrates twenty-four galleries within its neoclassical-style historic building located on Avenida de Diego in Santurce. Its proposal positions it as a world-class reference space, attracting both local and international visitors, and this year it celebrates its 25th anniversary. To extend the experience, guests of The Condado Collection will also receive printed material to enrich their learning and encourage future visits, amplifying the impact of the program.
The project aspires not only to take root within The Condado Collection but also to expand to other Paulson Puerto Rico portfolios, ensuring that more employees can embrace this artistic experience and become ambassadors of Puerto Rican culture. “We know that most visitors who explore our galleries return with friends and family, inviting them to discover the magic of our collections. We are confident the same will happen with The Condado Collection’s team members, thereby expanding the reach of art appreciation,” said Dr. María Cristina Gaztambide, Executive Director of the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.
Aligned with Paulson Puerto Rico’s vision of elevating the island’s tourism industry, The Condado Collection transcends the parameters of service to become a cultural transmission vehicle, offering visitors knowledge of deeper, more meaningful, and memorable experiences that connect with Puerto Rico’s artistic and cultural wealth. “For the Museo de Arte de Ponce, it is an honor to be part of this project. Our institution is strengthened by those who act as ambassadors of our collection and programs. We know this group from Paulson Puerto Rico will not only promote Ponce and Puerto Rico, but will also cultivate closer ties with the Museum. That fills us with satisfaction and deep pride,” said María Luisa Ferré Rangel, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Luis A. Ferré Foundation and the Museo de Arte de Ponce.
With this initiative, The Condado Collection reaffirms its commitment to transcending hospitality and becoming a bridge between the tourism industry and Puerto Rico’s invaluable artistic and cultural heritage.