New Mexico Arts News for December

December 2025 Newsletter

Artist Communities Alliance (ACA) is thrilled to be in

Santa Fe, New Mexico for the 2025 Conference

This is ACA’s first in-person conference since 2019, and 2025 also marks our 35th anniversary.

Since its founding, Artist Communities Alliance has held the belief that cultivation of new art and ideas is essential to human progress. The practice of artists and culture bearers holds the power to transform, uplift, and sustain the world. Today, artist communities have never been a more essential component of the arts and culture ecosystem.

This year’s conference theme, Building Our Future Together, is a call to action to all those who share our belief in the power of artists, and of the people who power the artist residency field. Join us to inspire and be inspired, to forge new friendships and collaborations, and to share what we have learned. It is a time to recognize and celebrate all that the field has accomplished in these last 35 years, and to build a way forward, together, for the years ahead.

Dates

Monday, December 8 - Thursday, December 11

Learn More & Register

Applications for the FY 2027 Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program

are NOW OPEN

The Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program aims to sustain traditional arts practiced in New Mexico by supporting master artists to pass on their knowledge to dedicated apprentices through a one-on-one learning opportunity. Apprenticeships are a face-to-face, hands-on learning opportunity for a master and apprentice to work together over the course of several months to a year. The program is structured to reflect how traditional arts have historically been passed down from generation to generation, while recognizing that modern life can make this difficult.

The apprenticeship program has supported more than 250 teams practicing traditions as diverse as instrument restoration, saddle making, embroidery, storytelling, furniture-making, weaving, and innumerable music and dance styles from across New Mexico.

Not used to completing grant applications? Assistance is available! Please reach out to Folk Arts coordinator Amy Mills for some friendly technical support on your application. Amy.Mills@dca.nm.gov

Deadline & Submission Instructions:

Application materials must be postmarked, emailed, or hand delivered on or before Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5:00pm MT.

Materials can be addressed to Amy Mills, Folk Arts Coordinator, New Mexico Arts. Email: Amy.Mills@dca.nm.gov

Mailing Address: New Mexico Arts 407 Galisteo St. Suite 270 Santa Fe, NM 87501

Learn more and how to apply HERE

2025-26 Registration for POETRY OUT LOUD is Now Open!

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This year, Poetry Out Loud will focus on America250 in celebration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence, featuring public domain poems celebrating the rich tapestry of American stories.

The program starts in the classroom/school or at the local level with an area organization. Winners then may advance to the regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the national finals. The State Finals event will be held Sunday March 8, 2026, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

State & National Prizes: Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip (with an adult chaperone) to Washington, DC, to compete at the National Finals. The state winner’s school/organization receives $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for their school/organization. At the national finals, a total of $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends are awarded.

Poetry Out Loud is presented through National Endowment for the Arts and New Mexico Arts. The deadline to register your school or organization is Friday, December 5, 2025. Homeschool students should contact NM POL contact person at email below.

For more information contact: Kevin Lenkner, POL Coordinator kevin.lenkner@dca.nm.gov

505 412-5791

The Española Valley Fiber Arts Center is a unique resource for fiber artists and those who find beauty in the fiber arts. Visitors to the adobe storefront in the historic district of Española enter a world of looms, colorful yarns, beautiful handmade textiles, books, and supplies.

Visit Their Website

Art in Public Places

Announcements & Opportunities

Prospectus #286 CNM Smith Brasher Hall -

Site Specific Public Art Commission

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) seek to commission an artist/artist team to create and install an artwork to hang from the ceiling in the entrance of Smith Brasher Hall located on CNM’s Main Campus in Albuquerque. All U.S. based artists with relevant public art experience are encouraged to submit qualifications. Five (5) finalists will be selected and paid $1,000 + travel expenses to create and present a formal proposal, with a total budget of $225,000 awarded to the selected artist/artist team whose design is commensurate with the size and scope of the project.

Entry Deadline: 12/17/25

Learn More & Apply

Prospectus #285 UNM Hospital Children's Psychiatric Center - Public Art Commission

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) of the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) seek to commission an artist/artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for two designated indoor corridors, including windows, at the new Children’s Psychiatric Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Seeking artwork that emphasizes serenity, reduces stress, and supports well-being promoting a calm atmosphere for all patients and staff. As a behavioral and mental health facility, certain specifications will be required for artwork that must adhere to trauma informed design approaches to ensure the safety of all patients. Audience for this space includes visitors, patients, and staff of the Children’s Psychiatric Center of all ages.

Entry Deadline: 12/12/25

Learn More & Apply

Prospectus #287 NM State University - Devasthali Hall – Public Art Commission, Las Vegas, NM

The Art in Public Places Program of New Mexico Arts and the Local Selection Committee (LSC) of New Mexico State University (NMSU) seek to commission an artist/artist team to create and install site-specific artwork for one of two designated exterior installation areas at Devasthali Hall on NMSU’s campus in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Seeking a statement artwork that screams ART! – Contemporary/Experimental/non-traditional, expressions of the cultural identity of the Borderplex region, interpretations of place, capture the spirit of the community, and/or the interdisciplinary & intercultural exploration brimming within these walls. A head-turning artwork that draws people from across the campus and community to celebrate and join the heritage and history of iconic artists with ties to NMSU and the area such as Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Wendy Red Star, Sol LeWitt, and others. Looking for a landmark artwork to draw visitors to the Art Museum and Art Department at Devasthali Hall; vibrant, awe-inspiring, a beacon for those seeking deep exploration and discourse in various platforms of artistic engagement. Audience of this space includes students, faculty, visitors, and the greater community.

Entry Deadline: 1/30/26

Learn More & Apply

The City of Las Cruces recently celebrated the dedication of Allochory, a stunning aluminum sculpture by artist Jamie Spinello, now located in front of City Hall near the flagpoles.

The artwork was inspired by the pods of the red yucca plant (which coincidentally grows in the landscape around the sculpture) in an abstract depiction made from aluminum panels.

Funded through New Mexico Arts' Art in Public Places (AIPP) program, Allochory is one of six pieces selected from the AIPP catalog for installation at City Hall.

Thank you to the Quality-of-Life Department, the Las Cruces Public Art program, and the City Art Board for making this vision a reality!

Ramona Sakiestewa

is a self-taught weaver using prehistoric Pueblo techniques from the American Southwest. Her early work employed hand spun and hand dyed yarns. She researched native plant dyes of the Americas along with developing and reproducing cochineal and indigo dyeing techniques. She adapted traditional upright continuous warp weaving methods to horizontal floor loom weaving.

Ramona served in the position of chair of the New Mexico Arts Commission from 9/97 to 8/99. She has received numerous awards for her artwork, including the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts (2006).

Urban Galaxy 4

fiber art

45 x 45 in

Basket Dance #19

wool tapestry

Visit Ramona's Website

Artist Calls and Opportunities

Complete Guide to FREE Artist Grants and Opportunities in 2025

All the best artist grants, residencies, and open calls for 2025.

All of these calls are FREE to apply!

Click Here For More Information

Calling all poets! The statewide poetry contest is back with more age categories and an exciting new theme connected to the 250^th celebration of United States Independence. New Mexico. We are asking our poets to reflect on New Mexico’s uniqueness and be inspired by the artwork of our divisions. Contest is open to New Mexico residents aged 9 to 99.

Visit nmculture.org/poetry for rules, resources, and the link to submit.

The Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants are available to nonprofit organizations and state/local/tribal government entities that have at least three-years' experience in presenting/producing arts-based projects and/or programming for military communities.

Successful applicants have included:

Arts nonprofits with a mission that focuses on serving military communities
Performing arts nonprofits (theaters, dance companies, musical groups) looking to expand their mission to include programming for military communities
Military and veteran-serving nonprofits expanding their services to include the arts
Municipal and regional arts centers expanding and designing course offerings for military communities
Community radio stations
Universities that include community engagement in their arts, health, and military programming

This grant program, a partnership with Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA), aims to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military-connected populations through cost-sharing grants of $10,000 to $25,000 for emerging and advanced arts engagement projects. The program funds arts initiatives that encourage creativity, build social connections, improve resilience, and help smooth the transition to civilian life.

Deadline: January 15, 2026

Learn More & Apply