July 2025 Newsletter

New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs Offers Free Admission to Active-Duty Military

Through Blue Star Museums Program

Free admission to any of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ (NMDCA) eight museums and seven historic sites continues this summer to active-duty military personnel and their families through the Blue Star Museums program. New Mexico has a sizable active-duty military and National Guard population of more than 43,000 people and NMDCA offers these individuals a chance to explore the history and culture of the state throughout the summer.

Watch New Mexico Art's Kevin Lenker and MOIFA's Charlie Lockwood on the New Mexico Living show discuss the Blue Star Museums Program here

Learn More

New Mexico Arts is honored to support the work of SouthWest Writers through an Arts & The Military Mini Grant. The publication of Unbreaking the Circle was sponsored through a grant from New Mexico Arts.

A new funding cycle of the Arts & The Military Mini Grant program will be announced later this summer.

All of the prose and poetry contained in this anthology were written by members, past and present, of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families or caretakers, who currently reside within the state of New Mexico.

Learn More Here

New Mexico Veterans: Enjoy Lifetime State Park Access Starting

July 1, 2025

Great news for New Mexico veterans! As of July 1, 2025, a new lifetime pass will provide free day-use and camping access at all New Mexico State Parks. This initiative is the result of House Bill 161 and a partnership between the New Mexico State Parks Division (NMSP) and the Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS).

Are you or do you know a past recipient of a Governor's Award? We would like to get in touch with you to invite you to the 2025 Governor's Awards events happening this October. Please send your contact information to Therese Schoeppner at therese.schoeppner@dca.nm.gov

The Museum of the American Military Family is the brainchild of overseas brat, military wife and mom, Circe Olson Woessner. Incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, the Museum is the only one of its kind in the United States. It is the only Museum dedicated to celebrating the contributions of America’s military families. The museum is a small all-volunteer run nonprofit museum which depends on donations and grants to bring free and low-cost programming to the public.

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Opportunities

NEA "Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes"

Grant Program Summary

The NEA will offer grants for arts projects in any discipline that celebrate the contributions to American history of one or more of the national heroes listed in Executive Order 13978. We are accepting proposals for works of art in a range of formats: plays, operas, literary arts, concerts, visual arts, museum exhibitions, etc. that honor these individuals. Projects may take place in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. jurisdictions. We anticipate making between 15-20 awards through this program.

Submission deadline July 14, 2025,11:59 pm ET

Learn More & Apply Here

RICHARDS AVENUE ROUNDABOUTS / #1 (@ DINOSAUR

TRAIL/RABBIT RUN ROAD)

AND #4 (@ AVENIDA DEL SUR) / PUBLIC ART

PROJECT ART ON LOAN

Local Santa Fe (& New Mexico) Artists and Galleries are encouraged to apply & support the beautification of public thoroughfares in Santa Fe County!

Submissions should include PDF files that describe the artist, artwork and

include images of the artwork. Interested parties can contact Rod Lambert at rlambert@santafecountynm.gov

August 15, 2025 - Deadline for Proposal Submissions, 5pm (MST)

Learn More & Apply

Flickinger Center for Performing Arts is searching for a new Executive Director in Alamogordo, New Mexico. This is an unusual opportunity to lead an organization with a long history, in a beautiful southwestern city.

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Flickinger Center and is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and successful execution of the Center’s programs and services. This role requires a visionary and hands-on leader who will advocate for the arts, foster community relationships, ensure financial and organizational sustainability, and promote the Flickinger’s mission across all sectors. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is ultimately accountable for the performance and success of the organization.

Learn More & Apply

The Runnels Gallery at Eastern New Mexico University is seeking submissions for an upcoming exhibition celebrating the artistry, sentiment, and craftsmanship behind wedding dresses. We invite community members to share wedding gowns created especially for the bride, whether sewn by a family member, a friend, the bride herself, or a professional designer.

We are looking for dresses from all backgrounds and periods. Whether your gown reflects cultural heritage, personal tradition, or individual creativity, we want to help tell its story.

Selected dresses will be displayed in the Runnels Gallery from August through October 2025. All participants must be able to loan their dress for the whole duration of the exhibition.

If interested, please visit our online submission form at: https://enmu.forms-db.com/view.php?id=462616

Submissions are open through July 7, 2025.

The Power of Storytelling

The power of stories helps young people overcome differences

Colum McCann's Narrative 4 organization is bringing the power of story to students in a time of division. The project helps young people around the world share their stories and bridge divides in politics and culture. Watch the video from NMPBS about student story exchange around schools in Santa Fe.

Play Video

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

Upcoming Cultural Events:

July 4, 2025