The Mexican Heritage Plaza (MHP) is a unique cultural facility located in San José at the corner of Alum Rock Avenue and King Road in the heart of Mayfair, a predominantly Mexican American neighborhood since the mid-20th Century. It rises from the site of a former neighborhood grocery store that was the target of one of the first boycotts for farm workers’ rights organized by César Chavez in the 1960s.

Following a 2 year community business planning process, The School of Arts and Culture at MHP assumed operation on July 1, 2011. The School is newly formed 501c3 organization, currently incubated by 1stACT Silicon Valley.

The School of Arts and Culture offers education programs and event rentals. For more information please visit www.schoolofartsandculture.org

Our Vision
A vibrant place of learning, culture and community gathering that nurtures the soul and brings joy and a sense of belonging to our children and to all who participate in the creation and consumption of its cultural offerings. 

By delivering unique classes, community events and programs that embrace all cultures, while exploring the artistic traditions, cultural history, and contemporary creative expression of Mexican Arts, we intend to engage the next generation of students, leaders, artists and consumers of culture. A full-scale community school of arts and culture will grow over time, complemented by a growing menu of community and cultural activities.

The School of Arts and Culture offers inclusive and innovative, culturally relevant arts education experiences that are affordable.  Class themes are rooted in Mexican culture but also reflect the rich diversity of the Silicon Valley community.  By delivering unique classes, community events and programs that embrace all cultures, while exploring the artistic traditions, cultural history, and contemporary creative expression of Mexican Arts, we engage the next generation of students, leaders, artists and consumers of culture. A full-scale community school of arts and culture will grow over time, complemented by a growing menu of community and cultural activities.

Our Programs   
As an organization we are committed to creating an opportunity for children and families to access high quality arts education in a safe and culturally specific venue. While our immediate goal is to deliver consistent, affordable classes to children and families, we are also focused on developing an organizational model and curriculum that becomes a national example of bold new practice in the area of community arts education. With help from our funders, we have an extraordinary opportunity to develop a unique instructional and cultural program that reaches students who would not otherwise have immediate access to the arts or diverse cultural experiences.

The School of Arts and Culture offers quarterly sessions ranging from after school programs to Summer Day Camps. 2012-13 Spring, Fall and Winter afterschool program will provide 100 students per session with an opportunity to take classes in Baile Folklórico, traditional Aztec dance, Mariachi instrumental and voice instruction, and visual arts with a Latin American theme. Depending on the session, we also offer digital media including videography, as well as break dancing and West African hand drumming.  Our Summer Day Camps will serve a total of 225 students (three sessions of two weeks) providing a full day of arts curriculum, a healthy lunch and two snacks.  All sessions culminate in a student performance/exhibition, coordinated by School faculty and staff. For more information on education programs or event rentals, please visit our website.