Plaza de la Raza (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Situated in the century-old Lincoln Park, Plaza de la Raza is the only multidisciplinary cultural arts center serving Latinos in Los Angeles.The organization was founded over 33 years ago by prominent labor, business and community leaders and incorporated into a non-profit cultural arts and educational center in 1970. Today, Plaza de la Raza provides year-round programs in arts education and fosters the enrichment of all cultures. Through the arts, Plaza de la Raza provides a vital human resource service, bridging geographic, social, artistic and cultural boundaries of Los Angeles and beyond. Plaza de la Raza's principal community-based program and crowning achievement of its 33-year legacy is the School of Performing and Visual Arts (SPVA). Since its inception in 1975, the SPVA has grown to provide 500-600 students each week with a full curriculum in theatre, dance, music and visual arts. Plaza de la Raza recognizes the ability art has as an alternative to the often harsh experiences that come with growing up and living in Los Angeles' inner city and is committed to providing a space where every student can give life to self-expression, innovation, creativity and individuality. Plaza de la Raza also presents an energetic list of programs including performances on the Willie Velasquez outdoor stage and the Margo Albert Theatre. In the Boathouse Gallery, the school has exhibitions of work produced by its students ages five to adult.