The Benque Viejo del Carmen, House of Culture is staffed by a full–time Administrator assisted by a full–time Activities Coordinator.  The facilities include two administrative offices, a lobby and a small gallery.  The old cells have been refurbished to house the permanent historical exhibit for Benque Viejo - An outdoor gazebo is used for social gatherings and workshops.

It is supported in its efforts by the Cultural & Historical Association of Benque Viejo (CHAB) which was integrated in 1992 with the objective of preserving and promoting Maya-Mestizo aspects of Belizean culture and history in Western Belize.  Throughout the 90’s, CHAB operated at # 43 Churchill Street in Benque Viejo under the direction of David Ruiz and several other collaborators including Patricia Asling, Mike Mauricio, Elvira Duarte and Said Guerra. CHAB with the Government of Bleize in the 1980's worked hand in hand with the National Arts Council and the Department of Museums (presently part of the Department of Archeology), Belize. In addition, the association was able to obtain membership status with the Commonwealth Association of Museums (CAM) and the Museum of Association of the Caribbean (MAC), and twinned with the Uxbridge-Scott (Ontario, Canada) Museum and Historical Society.

On January 1999, the Cultural & Historical Association of Benque Viejo entered a period of transition.  The period sought to organize the artists area along the structures of a formal entity referred to as the Community of Artists-Benque Viejo. The decision arose upon the move of the Government of Belize to establish Houses of Culture throughout the country.

On January 15, 2000, at the I Artistic Retreat held at Poustinia Earth Art Park, CHAB and the Community of Artists merged to establish the Community of Artists for Cultural & Historical Endeavors (CACHE).  Among the original goals of CACHE was that of opening a house of culture for Benque Viejo.  After intense lobbying, the former police station was obtained with the old municipal burial ground as extension property.This old burial ground has now flowered into the Centennial Park complete with trees, paths, and lighting.


CACHE has been registered in Belize as a not for profit, non-governmental organization. This group, compromised of forty plus artists and promoters of art & culture, has become the support organization for the House of Culture of Benque Viejo del Carmen, officially opened by the Prime Minister of Belize on September 6, 2001.