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Manuel González, Named
New Mexico State Poet Laureate
We are pleased to announce that celebrated poet and cultural advocate Manuel González has been named the third New Mexico State Poet Laureate, a recognition that affirms his profound contributions to the literary arts and his enduring impact on New Mexico’s communities. Appointed by New Mexico Arts and the New Mexico State Library, divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs, González will begin his three-year term effective immediately.
Learn More
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Call for Proposals for Arts & The Military Mini Grants
New Mexico Arts announces the 2026 Arts & The Military Mini Grants program. This $2,500 funding opportunity assists art organizations and veteran/service member-focused organizations to create or expand arts programming for military connected participants via a streamlined granting process.
Application process:
Final application deadline: 11/7/2025*
Award notification date is 12/2/2025
Grantee Activities to be completed January 2026 – June 2026.
*Only past mini grant recipients and 2026 advance reviewed applications will be accepted on the November 7 deadline.
Find the 2026 Arts & the Military Application and Guidelines HERE
A brief online presentation and an extended Q&A has been recorded and available for later viewing.
For more information, contact Arts & The Military Program Coordinator, Kevin Lenkner, 505-412-5791 or email kevin.lenkner@dca.nm.gov.
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Santa Fe Playhouse was founded by writer and social activist Mary Austin (1868-1934). Austin was inspired by the national Little Theater movement, which established venues that operated outside of the mainstream, profit-driven theater world. Austin was drawn to Santa Fe in 1918 by its growing reputation as a center for artists, writers, and intellectuals.
Santa Fe Playhouse creates community on stage and off by holding space for unexpected conversations through intriguing and vital programming.
They create community by:
- Connecting artists with audiences through theatre. This includes:
- New works and new work development.
- New voices.
- Classics re-imagined.
- Plays with multi-generational appeal.
- Innovating access to theater inside and outside our four walls.
- Creating inspiring and diverse educational opportunities.
- Providing radical inclusion and hospitality.
- Embedding our nationally recognized artists into the local community.
- Being sustainable, financially secure and fiscally responsible.
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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
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Art in Public Places
Announcements & Opportunities
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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.
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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.
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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.
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New Mexico Art in Public Places Program Places Two New Public Artworks (by David Estes and Josie Valdez)
The artworks were placed at the recently renovated BUGarium, set to reopen very soon. An abstracted butterfly painting titled “Live the Day Our Daily” by Josie Valdez now welcomes visitors to the BUGarium at the entrance, and a suspended mobile titled “Trinity” by David Estes bring subtle movement and life to the space.
Thank you to the ABQ BioPark selection committee for selecting beautiful artworks by two incredible local artists!
Learn More
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Deborah Jojola (Isleta and Jemez Pueblos)
The motivation and inspiration in Deborah's art lies deep within her cultural heritage. Art has been taught throughout many generations since the beginning of our creation. The process of creativity has been our way of life long before the word "Art" existed within our cultural customs. It was and still is a way of discovery and knowledge, our spirituality, empathy and balance.
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Life at Pottery Mound, 2023
Natural fresco on wooden panel with native pigments
35 x 18 x 1.25 inches
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Sun Rays, 2024
Natural fresco on wooden panel, earthen plaster, native pigments
38 x 24 x 1 inches
| | | 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 250th 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. | |
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Las Damas x OmniHum: Existential Work from New Mexicos Female Artists
Las Damas, New Mexicos premier female artist collective, is partnering with OmniHum Gallery in the heart of Taos to present Las Damas x OmniHum, a powerful exhibition exploring the theme of existentialism through the lens of women’s creative voices.
Existentialism emphasizes the deeply personal nature of human experience and celebrates the freedom and autonomy of the individual.
This exhibition invites
artists to interpret that philosophy in their own way — whether through reflections on identity, experience, or on the broader human condition itself.
All mediums are welcome.
This open call is for female artists living and working in New Mexico.
Artists who are not already members of Las Damas and are accepted into the exhibition will receive a complimentary membership, offering the opportunity to connect with and become part of this dynamic collective.
• Submissions open: November 1
• Submissions close: November 30
• Accepted works announced: January 3
• Opening reception: Saturday, January 31
• Exhibition dates: January 31 – March 2
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NEW MEXICO ARTS MISSION
Public support for the arts to ensure the arts are central to the lives of New Mexicans.
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NEW MEXICO ARTS VISION
A New Mexico with vibrant communities, meaningful quality of life, and a robust economy.
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