The Chicano mural movement began in the 1960s in Mexican-American barrios throughout the Southwest. Artists began using the walls of city buildings, housing projects, schools, and churches to depict Mexican-American culture. Chicano muralism has been linked to pre-Columbian peoples of the Americas, who recorded their rituals and history on the…
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican celebration with indigenous and Catholic roots. Observed on November 1 and 2 each year, the holiday honors deceased friends and family. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars (ofrendas) honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and…
The Chumash historically inhabited the central and southern coastal regions of California, in portions of what is now San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. As many other Native peoples, the Chumash wore special regalia during song and dance ceremonies. Chumash regalia includes a broad range…
Hawaiian hula is an indigenous dance form accompanied by oli (chant) and mele (song). The oli and the hula dramatize and accentuate the mele, which carries valuable information: history, genealogy, religion, geography, geology, etc. There are many styles of hula which have been divided into two main categories. Kahiko…
In 2013, the Asociation de la Pelota Mixteca de California Central received funding from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program for the Festival de la Pelota Mixteca, taking place each weekend between May and June. The Oaxcan game of pelota is played by men utilizing an ornate…
In 2013, Comunidad Tlacolulence en Los Angeles (COTLA) received funding from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grants Program for two observances of this Oaxacan indigenous community. The Mayordormia Tlacolulence, celebrated elaborately with pageantry and symbolism on particular saints’ days, will take place in October in West Los Angeles.
Founded in 1987, Asian Improv aRts’ mission is to produce, present, and document artistic works that represent the Asian American experience. In pursuing this mission, Asian Improv aRts seeks: 1) to make it possible for artists to create innovative works that are rooted in the diasporic experiences of Asian and…
Jennifer Malone (Wukchumni, Tachi, Yowlumni) comes from a long line of basketweavers, including her grandmother, Beatrice Arancis, and her mother, Marie Wilcox. Jennifer is an active basketry teacher, has partnered with and displayed at many community events, and is a board member of the California Indian Basketweavers Association. Jennifer is…
Founded in 1973, Self Help Graphics & Arts (SHG) is the leading nonprofit visual arts center serving the predominantly Latino community of Los Angeles. SHG’s mission is to develp and nuture Latino artists in printmaking. SHG seeks to advance Latino art broadly through programming, exhibitions, and outreach…
The Table Bluff Reservation, home to the Wiyot Tribe and its Heritage Center, is situated in rural northern California on the bluffs of the Pacific Ocean at the southern end of Humboldt Bay. The history of the Wiyot people is often tragic as they were among…
