Aztlan Academy

Specialties

The Aztlán Academy-​San José, Inc. is a non-​profit cultural entity dedicated to the advancement of Mexican and Chicano Folk Arts. The Academy engages scholars, writers, artists, philosophers and folklorists to enlighten its membership while it sustains some of the oldest cultural traditions in this continent. The Academy’s activities are geared to create and express the Mexican/​Chicano social experience inspiring young children, entertaining the public, offering performing opportunities, and exploring venues to preserve the local MESTIZO artistic heritage.

History

Established in 1968.

Since its origins in Tulare County’s agricultural fields Grape Strike, the Academy’s activities have been geared to create and express the Mexican & Chicano experience, inspiring young children, entertaining the public, offering artistic performing opportunities, and exploring and preserving the community’s heritage. It has also been involved in social issues that affect our communities.

The Academy’s Guest Mexican Artists have left a legacy of murals in San Jose’s schools, colleges, health clinics and union halls. It has a collection of art pieces for exhibit in educational institutions and private galleries.

The Academy worked with a San Jose City appointed committee to establish its «Flag Raising Protocol» in the 70’s and its «Civic Events» policies in the 80’s; It contributed with the Office of Cultural Affairs and the Fine Arts Commission to enact its «Art in Public Places» policies in the 90’s.

Meet the Business Owner

Javier H S.

Business Owner

Javier H. Salazar, founder and Artistic Director of the Aztlán Academy, 1965, is a financial and tax consultant since 1972. He attended the Seminario Conciliar de Tamaulipas, 1958. Instituto Regional Regiomontano de Bellas Artes, 1965. Henry George School of Social Science, 1970. Contra Costa Jr. College, 1972. Saint Mary’s College, 1978.

Javier H. Salazar is a Mexican folklorist, dancer, choreographer, designer, singer, writer and community activist.

His professional interests are: Educational leadeship, and organizational and social change in the City of San José barrios.