School of Arts & Culture

SJMQT has partnered with the School of Arts and Culture in an on-going art kit giveaway as part of their drive-thru food distribution at Mexican Heritage Plaza. The art kits, with instructions in 3 languages, are meant to create inspiration and artistic relief during the pandemic. SJMQT is proud to provide these kits, as a touchstone with our community, while our physical doors are closed.

The School of Arts and Culture at MHP catalyzes creativity and empowers community. It is located at the Mexican Heritage Plaza.

The Mexican Heritage Plaza (MHP) is a uniquely designed cultural facility located in the Mayfair neighborhood of east San Jose, a predominantly Mexican American neighborhood since the mid-20th century. The MHP was built by the City of San Jose in 1999 on the site of one of the first grocery store boycotts for farm workers’ rights organized by César Chavez in the 1960s.

In 2007, the City of San Jose began seeking new uses for its MHP. A community assessment determined that the MHP should become a school of arts and culture, and in 2009 a Steering Committee created a business plan to achieve that goal. In 2010, the City unanimously approved the Committee's recommendation to create the School of Arts and Culture at MHP.