Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center

The Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center is a not for profit organization that offers cultural services and education to people in the Los Angeles area. The goal of the center is to offer cultural experiences to people of every race, religion and ethnicity in hopes of bridging the cultural gaps between people. After school programs and childcare are offered through the center and provide services to nearly 25,000 kids annually. The program was founded in 1970 and now includes more than 500 classes each year. Kids are exposed to dance, theater, visual arts and music and there are programs for kids of all ages, as well as adults. The center's Boathouse Gallery offers a variety of exhibits throughout the year featuring the works of local artisans, as well as some nationally recognized artists. The School of Performing and Visual Arts at the center offers multidisciplinary programs to the community. The center is located in Lincoln Park and is the only one of its kind serving Latinos in Los Angeles. In addition to the onsite classes and programs, the center also runs shows at the Willie Velasquez outdoor stage and the Margo Albert theatre. The center is supported by a number of local figures including Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant.