The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation (CFCF) has opened a new Cigar Family Academy of Arts. This new center continues to fulfill the goal of the Fuente and Newman families–to provide children in the Dominican Republic with diverse educational and career opportunities. It was made possible by generous support from Hublot.
“I am enormously grateful to my friends at Hublot for supporting the creation of our new Academy of Arts,” commented CFCF co-founder Carlos Fuente, Jr. “This beautiful, state-of-the-art facility will give new opportunities to children in the Dominican Republic to pursue their passion and talent in the arts.”
Scott Lewis, CFCF CEO, added: “Today was a very special day, a day that should make all of us proud. Words and pictures cannot convey how wonderful this project has turned out. The Cigar Family Academy of Arts will give our students the opportunity to express their creativity in so many ways while they learn and challenge themselves in each of these disciplines.”
The Cigar Family Academy of Arts is located within the 23-acre Cigar Family project in Bonao, Dominican Republic. The new center includes four new buildings for music, arts, and dance programs and an amphitheater for performances. With this expansion, CFCF will be able to expand its curriculum to support students who wish to pursue careers in the arts.
The grand opening for the new Cigar Family Charitable Foundation was attended by 100 people, including the Fuente and Newman families, executives from Hublot, local dignitaries, and Grammy Award-winning artist Arturo Sandoval, who helped launch the new amphitheater with a performance. The music school at the new Cigar Family Charitable Foundation Academy of Arts is named in honor of Sandoval.
In 2024, 440 students attended CFCF’s primary school, high school, technical school, and arts academy. Since 2004, CFCF has invested over $20 million to support these programs. The Dominican Republic’s government, the United Nations, and others have recognized the Cigar Family project.
Those wanting to support the CFCF can purchase a Toast Across America pack featuring a special cigar from Arturo Fuente and J.C. Newman. “I want to thank all of the cigar enthusiasts around the world who support CFCF and the children and families it serves through their generous donations or by purchasing a Toast Across America pack,” said CFCF co-founder Eric M. Newman. “Because the Fuente and Newman families underwrite all of CFCF’s operating costs, every dollar raised goes directly to help children in need.”
Those interested in making a monetary donation to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation can donate here.