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Centro Cultural de la Raza

Centro Cultural de la Raza
Formation1970
HeadquartersBalboa Park
Location
  • 2004 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101
Coordinates32.727728, -117.148627
Region served
San Diego, California
Tommy Ramirez, Aida Soria, Monica Bernal, Roberto D. Hernández, Evan Apodaca, Erick De la Rosa
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

The Centro Cultural de la Raza (Spanish for Cultural Center of the People) is a non-profit organization with the specific mission to create, preserve, promote and educate about Chicano, Mexicano, Native American and Latino art and culture. It is located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. The cultural center supports and encourages the creative expression “of the indigenous cultures of the Americas.”[1] It is currently a member of the American Alliance of Museums.[2]

The Centro provides classes and presentations on drama, music, dance, and arts and crafts, many of which have origins in Mexico and "Aztlán," a term used by Chicanos to indicate a return to a spiritual homeland and indigenous traditions and knowledge systems. Programs include Danza Azteca, Teatro Chicano, film screenings, exhibits, musical performances, installation art, readings, receptions and other events. The Centro's resident Ballet Folklorico company, Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan, also operates a dance academy at the Center.[3] In addition, the Centro is available as a meeting place for community groups and organizations.[4]

The Centro's circular building has offices, workrooms, studios, and a theater.[2] The performance space seats 150 people and has a 2,000 square foot art gallery.[3] The Centro is one of the first community-based Chicano cultural centers[5] and one of the largest in the Southwest.[2] It is identifiable by a number of murals painted near the building's main entrance.

  1. ^ Brookman, Philip (1986). "El Centro Cultural de la Raza: Fifteen Years". In Brookman, Philip; Gómez-Peña, Guillermo (eds.). Made In Aztlan. San Diego, California: Centro Cultural de la Raza. pp. 12–53. ISBN 0938461001.
  2. ^ a b c "Biographical History". Centro Cultural de la Raza. Social Networks and Archival Context Project. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b Candelaria, Cordelia C.; Aldama, Arturo J.; Garcia, Peter J., eds. (30 October 2004). Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture, Volume 1. Greenwood. p. 209. ISBN 978-0313332104.
  4. ^ "Special Event Rental Requests". Centro Cultural de la Raza. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  5. ^ "How Did Chicano Park and El Centro Cultural de la Raza Come Into Existence?". San Diego Mexican & Chicano History. San Diego State University. 7 November 2011. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.

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