Semana Cultural Latina Iowa City is a community-driven celebration dedicated to showcasing the richness, diversity, and creativity of Latino, Hispanic, Chicano, Latine, Latinx, and Indigenous artists from Iowa and across the Midwest. Born from the vision of cultural organizers Manny Gálvez and Miriam Alarcón Ávila, the first edition was launched in 2019 as an extension of the Latino Fest Iowa City. The idea was to create more spaces than what a single day could allow, opening a week-long platform for artistic expression, dialogue, and cultural visibility.

After the success of that inaugural edition, Semana Cultural has returned in 2025 as its second official edition, now with choreographer and educator Eloy Barragán joining the leadership team. Together, they are committed to honoring the past, while cultivating new opportunities for artists and audiences to connect, reflect, and celebrate Latina culture in all its diversity.

Unlike the Latino Festival itself, Semana Cultural Latina Iowa City is its own independent entity. While its organizers are active in other initiatives, this event stands apart as a collaborative cultural project that brings together local and regional partners to amplify Latino voices through art, performance, storytelling, and community engagement.