Montoya, José - 1932

Biographical/Historical note

José Montoya is one of the premiere cultural activists in the Chicano movement. He was Born in New Mexico in 1932, but grew up in central California. He witnessed the struggle for migrant farm workers rights first hand. His involvement with organized labor, and collaboration with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers movement, was the begining of his lifelong commitment to artistic inquiry and an unwavering dedication to artistic activism. Montoya co-founded one of the ground-breaking Chicano Artist Collectives in 1970. This group came to be known as the Royal Chicano Air Force. The RCAF set the standard for using art as a tool for Chicano historical exposition, advocacy and the education of young people.

Besides being a multifaceted artist, Montoya is the author of three collections of poetry, including the highly acclaimed In Formation: 20 Years of Joda . He is featured in over 40 anthologies. Montoya exhibited internationally in Cuba, Mexico and Paris, as well as all over the United States. He is most famous for his work as a poet, and has given readings at top universities around the United States and abroad. Montoya's influence on poetry is seen in the next gereration of poets. His use of Spanish, English and barrio slang poetry is reflected in the styles of the countless Chicano writers and poets who follow him.

Soon after the Korean War, Montoya entered San Diego City College as an art student. He later transferred to the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland California where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1962. He began his career by teaching high school until he earned his M.A. in 1971, at California State University, Sacramento. He then taught for 25 years in the Department of Art Education at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS).

Montoya is also known as a founding member of the musical group, Trio Casindio, and for his involvement in the 1974 program called Art in the Barrios. As part of the program, he worked with young and old to create art in the form of posters and murals.

From the guide to the José Montoya Papers, 1954-2009, (University of California, Santa Barbara, Davidson Library, Department of Special Collections, California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives)