The Arts

Bilingual Foundation of the Arts

The Bilingual Foundation of the Arts celebrates the diversity of Hispanic drama through theatrical productions presented in both English and Spanish. Founded in 1973, it presents three mainstage productions each season, alternating by week between English and Spanish versions. Other programs include a series of staged readings, touring theatre-in-education programs, and translations of plays by Hispanic writers into English and Spanish. Since 1980, the foundation has been located in the former Lincoln Heights Jail.

The Brewery Arts Complex

Claiming to be the world's largest artist-in-residence complex, the 23-acre Brewery is an outstanding example of adaptive reuse. In 1982, the abandoned Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery was reborn as an artists' community. Today comprising 22 buildings, including a structure from 1888 as well as one of the city's first power stations, the complex is home to more than 500 artists who live and/or work onsite. Twice a year, in April and October, the volunteer Brewery Art Association sponsors the "Brewery Artwalk," which attracts up to 8,000 visitors. The Association also runs a gallery in the complex. Barbara's at the Brewery, a restaurant open weekdays for lunch and dinner, hosts showings of residents' and guests' artwork.

Los Angeles Music and Art School

Music, dance, and the visual arts are the mainstays of the Los Angeles Music and Art School, which was founded in the early 1940s to help disadvantaged children in Boyle Heights. The school offers high-quality arts lessons at a nominal cost, including instruction in piano, guitar, violin, saxophone, drum, and voice, as well as painting, drawing, and ballet, tap, salsa, modern, and folkloric dancing. It also has a mariachi program. Twice a month it holds recitals, and every April it stages a dance concert. Students also take part in regular art competitions and shows.

Luckman Fine Arts Complex

The visual and performing arts have a striking home in the Luckman Fine Arts Complex on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles. Dedicated since 1994 to presenting and exhibiting performing and visual arts that reflect the diverse and evolving cultures of Los Angeles and the world, the facility hosts ballet, modern, and folkloric dance; jazz, blues, and classical music; theatrical performances; and art exhibitions.

Mariachi Plaza

For many years, a doughnut shop at the corner of First and Boyle served as an informal gathering place for mariachi bands, which serenaded passersby before departing for their own engagements. Today in its place stands Mariachi Plaza, a small park with a bandstand and kiosk donated by the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The site, which was developed as part of the MTA's extension of the Metrorail Red Line to East Los Angeles, remains a popular focal point for mariachi.

Neighborhood Music School

Established in 1914, the nonprofit Neighborhood Music School offers extremely low-cost music lessons to nearly 250 students a week, taught by highly qualified teachers. Lessons are available in brass, woodwinds, voice, guitar, and strings, with an emphasis on classical music. The school, which is headquartered in a beautifully restored 1891 Victorian house, also maintains a string ensemble.

Plaza de la Raza

Plaza de la Raza, located in Lincoln Park, began in 1975 as an after-school arts program. Currently, it serves 500 to 600 students each week with a curriculum in dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Catering to students from age 5 through adulthood, from entry level to conservatory level, the courses are conducted by community-based artists and performers.