NM Delegation Applauds $550,000 in Grants to 11 Arts Organizations Across the State
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded $550,000 in grant funding to 11 organizations across New Mexico. The grants, part of the $75 million for NEA appropriated through the CARES Act, will be used to support staff salaries, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs.
“New Mexico’s vibrant arts scene is not only part of the foundation of our state’s unique culture and traditions, but is a significant economic driver, employing thousands of New Mexicans. But this unprecedented global pandemic has forced many arts organizations to shut their doors as we stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” said Udall, top Democrat on the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies overseeing NEA funding. “We must continue to ensure that our creative economy and the arts organizations that are the foundation for that growing sector can weather this economic storm so that they are able to return when the time is right and continue to enrich the lives of New Mexicans and Americans. I will continue to fight to expand this funding so that art continues to flourish in New communities and neighborhoods.”
“Our artists play an essential role in shaping New Mexico’s culture—from those whose work reflects centuries of tradition to those breaking new creative ground,” said Heinrich. “As we continue to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must also work to support New Mexico’s vibrant arts community and preserve our tourism and creative economy. I am proud to have helped secure this funding in the CARES Act that makes this National Endowment of the Arts grant possible and will continue fighting to ensure our state’s rich arts and culture live on.”
“New Mexico’s vibrant arts community attracts visitors from across the globe and supports thousands of jobs. Due to COVID-19, New Mexico arts organizations are struggling to support their employees and continue their important work. I have already seen many creative organizations and artists adapt to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and continue to serve our communities,” said Luján. “I’m pleased that the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded these funds from the CARES Act that will allow these organizations to continue their cultural and economic contributions to our state.”
“The way that New Mexicans intertwine culture and creativity makes our state a top destination to experience art, but during this pandemic artists, museums, and public art programs are struggling to survive. As New Mexicans, we know our creative economy fuels our broader economy – the Hispanic Cultural Center, AMP Concerts, the National Institute of Flamenco, and Ensemble Music New Mexico in my district support jobs, art and tourism. The grants awarded through the CARES Act will keep people paid and talented artists working which ultimately helps keep our economy running during this public health emergency,” said Haaland.
“In New Mexico, our many arts organizations support jobs and our creative economy, enrich our unique culture and identity, and help share our state’s beauty with the rest of the country. The arts can be a powerful tool to bring people together and heal, and during this difficult time I’m pleased to see this funding support organizations across the state, including Western New Mexico University. As we continue to rebuild, it’s critical we find ways to support all sectors of our economy,” said Torres Small.
The full breakdown of the $550,000 in grants is below:
AMP Concerts, $50,000 Albuquerque, NM
AMP Concerts goal is to complement the music available around town, working both independently and in collaboration with many other local groups to provide additional chances to experience world, folk, acoustic and Americana music. AMP is also one of the producers of ¡Globalquerque! - New Mexico's Annual Celebration of World Music and Culture. In March 2015, AMP embarked on its next big step, opening a Santa Fe office headed by longtime Santa Fe promoter Jamie Lenfestey. AMP seeks to provide community-focused programming to Santa Fe and northern New Mexico, tailored to the specific needs and interests of the community.
Ensemble Music New Mexico (Chatter), $50,000 Albuquerque, NM
Founded in 2016, the New Mexico Contemporary Ensemble (NMCE) is an artistic collective that works to connect regional and international artists with New Mexico communities. Collaborations with living composers are at the core of the organization, especially with New Mexico-based composers. In an effort to reflect the cultural backdrop of New Mexico, the Ensemble also reaches out to emerging composers from Latin America for collaborations and to promote their work on an international platform. In four years of programming, NMCE has premiered over 35 new pieces, continued the tradition of a Postcard Exchange, and hosted two James Tenney Memorial Symposiums.
National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation (NHCC), $50,000 Albuquerque, NM
The NHCC is devoted to inspiring investment and connection to the preservation, promotion and advancement of all Hispanic people through experiences, art, culture, and humanities.
National Institute of Flamenco, (NIF) $50,000 Albuquerque, NM
The mission of the National Institute of Flamenco is to preserve and promote flamenco’s artistry, history, and culture by presenting the finest flamenco in the world and by educating the American family in this art form while emphasizing the positive influence of art on family and community.
Music at Angel Fire, Inc., $50,000 Angel Fire, NM
Music from Angel Fire exists to enrich the lives of northern New Mexico residents and visitors through extraordinary music performances and educational outreach programs that are sustainable.
gallupARTS Inc., $50,000 Gallup, NM
gallupARTS is a community artist nonprofit with a mission devoted to fostering creativity, culture, commerce and quality of life in Gallup and McKinley County through the arts. The organization served over 20,000 McKinley County artists and residents through 14 different programs. gallupARTS offers programming that includes two art galleries, artist talks, art festivals, rotating student art displays, art classes, and public art projects.
Parallel Studios Inc. (Currents New Media), $50,000 Santa Fe, NM
Parallel Studios (a 501(c)(3) non-profit) has been producing, curating and designing small and large scale currents video exhibitions in Santa Fe since 2002. In 2010 Parallel Studios launched CURRENTS NEW MEDIA as an annual, citywide event. The Festival brings together the work of established and emerging New Media artists, from New Mexico, the US and the World, for events showcasing interactive and non-interactive installations, multimedia performances, VR and AR environments, single channel video, animation, experimental documentary, robotics, wearables and 3D printing. Parallel Studios reaches out to local high and middle school students through its Youth Media Makers Program.
CURRENTS NEW MEDIA provides the community with opportunities to experience New Media Arts in traditional venues, public and outdoor spaces. Over 9,000 visitors attended festival events in 2019. The Festival is enjoyed by a broad demographic – children spinning through the galleries reveling in interactive New Media – seniors contemplating image and meaning – working class families – savvy collectors.
Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico, $50,000 Santa Fe, NM
Pojoaque is a local community made of Native American culture dating back centuries. The Pueblo continues traditions and practices Pojoaque culture in these contemporary times.
SITE Santa Fe (SITE), $50,000 Santa Fe, NM
SITE Santa Fe creates significant experiences for visitors by presenting the most innovative visual art of our time in new and engaging ways. Since its opening in 1995, SITE Santa Fe has been committed to supporting new developments in contemporary art, encouraging artistic exploration, and expanding traditional museum experiences.
Wise Fool New Mexico (WFNM), $50,000 Santa Fe, NM
Wise Fool is a beloved and award-winning non-profit organization at the center of Santa Fe's community arts scene. Wise Fool serves 2,000 youth and adults with hands-on activities and 14,000 audience members annually with high-quality experiences built upon our core values of community, arts accessibility, and social justice.
Western New Mexico University, $50,000 Silver City, NM
An open-access institution and New Mexico’s Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences University, Western New Mexico University combines a foundation of liberal arts education with quality professional programs and career and technical preparation in a diverse, inclusive, creative, and caring community of learners empowered with the essential skills and knowledge for lifelong success in work and life.
