Boyle Heights

Download the data here.

The Boyle Heights BHC area is a small, yet densely populated urban neighborhood east of downtown Los Angeles. The site encompasses a population of roughly 90,000 residents, of which over 93% are of Latino /Hispanic descent. With the support of a local taskforce questionnaires were collected at strategic convening spaces (such as Mariachi Plaza, CaminArte, El Mercadito, Roosevelt High) and special events (Dolores Mission Women’s Conference, BHC General Assembly). Nearly one hundred cultural treasures were identified between May and July of 2012.

The cultural treasures that were identified in Boyle Heights through the questionnaire were divided equally into three categories: individuals, places and organizations, each representing approximately 30% of the identified cultural treasures. Individuals who were considered cultural assets were primarily artists practicing visual arts (e.g. muralists and graphic design); different music genres (e.g. Chicano and Fandango music, among others); Aztec dance and poetry. However, educators and urban planners were also identified as culturally important.

The organizations and groups that were identified as cultural treasures included groups focused on promoting arts and culture, as well as organizations serving specific sectors of the population –such as youth, elders, women, the transgender community, etc. – promoting civic engagement, education, health and economic development. Another important group of organizations that emerged through the survey as cultural treasures were those focused on neighborhood improvement and creating healthier environments.

The places that were identified as cultural assets included a wide variety of landmarks such as Mariachi Plaza and the Evergreen Cemetery to mention a couple. Parks, restaurants, bakeries and other specialty stores were also part of the list of cultural assets. Given Boyle Heights’ rich history of murals, it was not surprising that the piece ‘El Corrido of Boyle Heights’ (a mural in the corner of Soto and Cesar Chavez) also surfaced as a cultural treasure.

Events, were the least mentioned category of cultural treasures, accounting for only 7% of the questionnaires. Nevertheless, some jewels were identified as culturally significant, including the film festival “Cine Sin Fin” and the art gathering “Caminarte”.  Other more well-known events, such as the Dia de los Muertos at Self Help Graphics and the “Annual Women’s Conference” organized by Dolores Mission, were also part of what the questionnaires revealed.

Boyle Heights respondents broadened the notion of cultural treasures beyond the “people, places, organizations/groups, and events” typology that was suggested in the original questionnaire. They also identified as cultural treasures the presence of immigrants and some characteristics of the collective culture such as the presence of the “paleteros” (The people who see popsicles on carts) and mariachi music, that seemed to be very popular in the community. Other characteristics that Boyle Heights residents found relevant of their community were certain streets (e.g. Cesar Chavez Ave.) and even the bike lane. These cultural practices and other cultural assets, which are not physically located in one specific spot are grouped under the category “General Cultural Treasures”.