History

SJMAG promotes public awareness of Silicon Valley’s diversity, gives voice to the region’s Latino, African-American and women artists, and provides these communities access to arts programs that reflect their experiences. SJMAG is a non-profit organization established in 1987 and incorporated in 1990, SJMAG has produced over 150 plays, spoken word performances and music, dance and drumming concerts by women and artists of color. SJMAG has conducted arts education programs since 1997. From 1999-2010, SJMAG was one of the Mexican Heritage Plaza’s resident arts organizations. Since 2010, SJMAG has been an artist in residence at the Hoover Community Center.

SJMAG is a non-profit organization, established in 1990, and is the governing and administrative body for three (3) Performing Arts groups:
Tabia African-American Theatre Ensemble, Maiko Women’s Poetry and Drum Ensemble, and Teatro Familia Aztlan, (a Chicano Theatre Group). SJMAG was, in fact, founded by a community of San Jose artists: these three San Jose performing arts organizations came together to create the organization that has evolved into SJMAG as it is structured today. SJMAG operates four artistic programs: they present a series of professional-quality productions at the Mexican Heritage Plaza’s 500-seat theater; they stage performances and workshops at community venues; they conduct after-school, summertime and in-school multicultural arts education programs; and they organize and produce the annual Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Festival, Procession and Celebration.

The organization operates through the efforts of its volunteers, the receipt of public and private grants, sponsorships, fund-raisers, and donations from the general public. SJMAG annually presents a season of three to four productions; targeting an audience that enjoys African American, Chicano Latino and Women’s performing arts.