32 minute read
Arts & Culture
Result: Arts and culture is celebrated and reflected in the community.
We invited requests from organizations serving Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and/or San Miguel counties that work to improve:
Advertisement
• Sense of community—residents feeling connected to
the community and each other
• Openness and acceptance of the community toward
people of diverse backgrounds
• Diverse participation in art and cultural community
programs and events
• Preservation and strengthening of cultural and
historical heritage, traditions, and a creative
Through direct services, policy advocacy, and/or collaborative efforts, priority strategies will address:
• Lifting up and preserving cultural and historical heritage, tradition, and assets of the region • Using art as a bridge to communicate across cultures and languages and build transformational relationships to advance equity • Using art, culture, language, and community stories to shift narratives, shape public conversations, and influence policy • Improving access to arts and cultural programs to benefit youth and families who otherwise would not have the opportunities • Systems change including public policy, civic engagement, community organizing, or public information to preserve and strengthen the arts and cultural segment of the creative economy locally
All Aboard Earth
allaboardearth.com
Mission | To fertilize the intersection of creativity, selfexpression, and environmental activism. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, All Aboard Earth is a multimedia arts and education collective inspired by the vibrant local culture in addition to artistic and intellectual influences from around the world. Proposal | We are seeking funds to offer scholarships for a broader diversity of youth to participate in our Eco-Theater programs. These programs utilize the platform of theater to empower young people's voices toward creating solutions to environmental concerns and cultivating emotional intelligence and communication skills. Noteworthy | A study done by the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) assessed the impact of theater programs on participants’ mental health. They found of the more than 1,200 people who participated in the survey, 89% reported participating in the drama program had a positive impact on their self-confidence and 94% of respondents said it had a positive impact on their overall sense of wellbeing. 52% of people indicated that ATYP had a positive or very positive impact on their anxiety levels.
AMP Concerts
ampconcerts.org
Mission | To provide innovative and inspiring arts programming to diverse and engaged audiences; bridging ages, demographics, and cultural backgrounds. AMP presents a variety of free and ticketed events highlighting international and American musical styles as well as workshops, outreach programs, and collaborative projects with a variety of cultural institutions in greater New Mexico. Proposal | Funding is requested to support AMP Concert's 2023 Santa Fe Concerts Program, encompassing over 100 concerts including over 40 free concerts and 10 free movies as part of our Summer Scene series. Concerts will feature a mix of up-and-coming and established internationally acclaimed touring artists as well as New Mexico musicians, and movies will include current blockbusters and beloved classics. Noteworthy | Santa Fe's demographics are unique at 51% Hispanic, 43% White, and 4% Native American, with a large immigrant population and disparity in income between a wealthy retired population, working class, and budding creative class. Our concerts and movies bring together these communities using diverse programming as a bridge in central locations of historical and cultural heritage which, by being free, improves access to arts/cultural programs for those who would not otherwise have these opportunities.
artworkssantafe.org
Mission | The Partners in Education Foundation for the Santa Fe Public Schools (Partners) is an independent nonprofit organization founded to marshal resources and create alliances to foster excellence in Santa Fe’s public schools. As a program of Partners, ArtWorks seeks to make the arts personally meaningful to Santa Fe’s public school students and teachers through an integrated program of art-making, viewing live performances and exhibits, and achieving understanding through inquiry and reflection. Proposal | For over 20 years, ArtWorks, a program of Partners, has been connecting the public school community with Santa Fe’s world-class art museums and performances. ArtWorks pairs professional teaching artists with local arts institutions and public school classrooms in a series of inquiry-driven workshops that build lasting community connections, nurture creative potential, and provide the opportunity for continued arts integration in the classroom. Funding will directly support these workshops. Noteworthy | ArtWorks reaches more than 70 SFPS classroom teachers and over 1800 SFPS students on average each year, 76% of whom come from economicallydisadvantaged families. Research has shown that economically-disadvantaged young people who have high levels of arts engagement and arts learning experiences are more likely than their peers to succeed academically and become more active and engaged citizens (March 2012, The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth, National Endowment for the Arts).
Awakening in Taos
awakeningintaos.com
Mission | To educate, entertain, and inspire viewing audiences about New Mexico. We create fine art and culturally diverse film experiences that include historic topics and honor the natural beauty of New Mexico’s landscape. We are particularly interested in films that explore topics of social justice, cultural diversity, women’s issues, and Native American rights. Proposal | The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is now offering Awakening In Taos a major three-year broadcasting agreement. We see this as a huge opportunity to bring our Santa Fe film community national attention. In order to fulfill our agreement, we must raise the necessary funds to cover finishing costs and additional work requested by PBS. Funding will help us make required editing changes, including the addition of closed captioning for the hearing impaired. Noteworthy | Awakening in Taos has won numerous prestigious awards. It has been screened in national art museums and universities, at film and art festivals, to private audiences, and in public theaters. It was awarded NEH and New Mexico Arts grants to host local premieres for underserved audiences in major New Mexico cities. We now have an opportunity to reach millions of viewers with 2,000 to 5,000 broadcasts on 350 PBS affiliate stations.
Creative Santa Fe
creativesantafe.org
Mission | To drive positive change through creativity and collaboration to promote cross-cultural vibrancy and economic vitality. Proposal | We are seeking general operating funds to continue all of our programs, which includes Public Events, Design Collaborations, and Community Education. Our programs provoke trans-disciplinary conversations, raise visibility, and generate creative solutions to issues affecting the entire community. Our collaborative approach invites diverse voices and creative tension, challenging siloed thinking, in order to bridge the divides and strengthen the social fabric of our community. Noteworthy | The primary problem we aim to tackle is social division and exclusion, a condition that inhibits conversations for re-imagining a more inclusive, livable world. From a recent BBER report commissioned by the City of Santa Fe, 70% of growth in Santa Fe is from migration, driving up housing prices and displacing locals. With the current median home price well over $500,000, the majority of families cannot afford to buy homes. This structural inequality inhibits conditions for sustaining diversity.
Dancing Earth Creations
dancingearth.org
Mission | To create contemporary dance and related arts through global-Indigenous and intercultural relationships centered in ecological and cultural diversity for creativity, health, and wellness. Proposal | We seek funding to support ongoing community requests for workshops, master classes, retreats for leadership building and restoration, and community-led performances. Noteworthy | The most common ethnicity of dancers is White (49.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (24.2%) and Black or African American (12.5%) (www.zippia.com/ dancer-jobs/demographics). By providing and advocating for opportunities for those who represent a largely-ignored demographic in professional performing arts, DE is rooted in diasporic community collaborations and cultivates ecological-consciousness through cultural dance arts.
Embudo Valley Library and Community Center
embudovalleylibrary.org
Mission | To build community by providing educational, cultural, and recreational resources for area residents. The library provides public library service, literacy programming for children and youth, formal and informal public gathering space for meetings and resolana, and an evening cultural series. Our property is home to a volunteer community radio station, a public park, and a cooperative grocery store. Proposal | The Embudo Valley Library seeks funding to support our rural public library and our ongoing library programs, such as our afterschool program, early literacy, and arts and cultural programs. Current projects for which we seek funding include the construction and furnishing of a new community center, cultural preservation work, and internal efforts to rethink and improve our services, operations, and goals by examining them closely through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Noteworthy | In the last fiscal year, we had over 7,500 visitors and provided 663 essential services, which include support for those accessing health care, education, government benefits, legal services, and employment-related tasks such as submitting time sheets and conducting job searches. However, we are still well below pre-pandemic levels. This fiscal year, by increasing outreach and community engagement efforts, we hope to increase library visits and program participation by 10%.
folkartmarket.org
Mission | To create economic opportunities for and with folk artists worldwide who celebrate and preserve folk art traditions. The International Folk Art Market (IFAM) envisions a world that values the dignity and humanity of the handmade, honors timeless cultural traditions, and supports the work of folk artists serving as entrepreneurs and catalysts for positive social change. Proposal | IFAM’s flagship program, the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, is a joyful celebration of art and community on a global scale. New programming will extend these connections throughout the year and deepen understanding of the beliefs and techniques underpinning artistic processes. IFAM remains dedicated to creating economic opportunities for folk artists worldwide while fostering strong cross-cultural ties between international artists and our northern New Mexican community. Noteworthy | Half of the world’s population lives on less than $5-$6 per day and Indigenous cultures are disappearing at a rate of 30 per year. In the process, traditional lifestyles are threatened by larger global economic forces that interrupt the transmission of knowledge historically passed from generation to generation. IFAM combats this loss of culture by providing 150+ folk artists annually the opportunity to earn an average of $20,000 each to support and uplift their traditions and communities.
KMRD Inc
kmrd.fm
Mission | To provide a platform for diverse local content and cultivating meaningful communication. KMRD-LP is a freeform, volunteer-run, commercial-free, and listenersupported Low Power FM community radio station. With operating principles rooted in participation and accessibility, KMRD serves the extended community of Madrid, New Mexico, as a grassroots resource for entertainment, information, skill-building, and creative social connection. Proposal | KMRD is a community radio station, broadcasting at 96.9FM and streaming at www.kmrd.fm, that serves rural south Santa Fe County through noncommercial, freeform, original programming produced by nearly 100 volunteers of diverse ages, backgrounds, and perspectives. This year, KMRD is moving into a newly purchased building that will enable the station to deepen and expand our work within the community and is seeking support for developing and outfitting the facility. Noteworthy | The age range between youngest and oldest KMRD volunteers is 66 years; more than 2,000 songs are broadcast on KMRD per week.
Littleglobe, Inc.
littleglobe.org
Mission | To promote interdisciplinary, collaborative art projects that foster life-affirming connections across the boundaries that divide us. Littleglobe consists of artists, facilitators, activists, and cultural workers committed to the practice of socially-engaged, participatory art that galvanizes individual and collective voices, activates empathy, and leads to personal and community agency. Proposal | Littleglobe believes this town thrives when all members are seen and heard. Littleglobe trains community members from all backgrounds in the skills of filmmaking and storytelling and connects storytelling with policy making and civic engagement. ¡Presente!: Community Stories Project is a multimedia storytelling and engagement project that will culminate in a block party to bring together residents from Santa Fe’s Airport Road corridor to tell the story of the hopes and dreams we have as a city. Noteworthy | 75% of respondents in the 2022 CHART process indicated that our town needs multicultural events to provide a platform for understanding and reconciliation. Additionally, 75% of respondents believe that understanding our complex history will better our relationships with each other in a diverse, multicultural community. 34% of respondents support media related to reconciliation, and 28% support documentaries and films.
Moving Arts Española, Inc.
movingartsespanola.org
Mission | To build community and cultivate leaders through arts and culture. Proposal | Moving Arts Española is poised to bring to teens and young adults the same level of care and attention that we have brought to the children of the Española Valley. We seek operational funding to secure our initial steps, with pueblo and public school partners, in the co-creation of new learning environments sufficient to engage our region's disconnected youth. Noteworthy | From 2015–2019, the percentage of disconnected youth in our county, Rio Arriba, was 40% above the state average
Nat Gold Players
natgoldplayers.com
Mission | To entertain, educate, and inspire through the performing arts. Proposal | Nat Gold Players (NGP) serves a small town with huge talent. A two-time winner at the New Mexico AACTFest, NGP strives for professional quality local talent. NGP has operated as a “homeless” theater for decades. In 2021, NGP rented the ground floor of the historic Masonic Lodge. Plans for a summer opening are postponed because of partial collapse of 130-year-old ceiling plaster in one room. NGP continues to serve as a traveling company but must now raise extensive funds for renovation. Noteworthy | The American Association of Community Theatres (AACT), says that US theaters generated $166.3 billion and $27.54 billion in governmental revenue (sales tax, etc.) in 2015. Theater has a direct impact on economies. As Keating said in “Dead Poets Society,” “… the human race is filled with passion, poetry, beauty, romance, and love— this is what we stay alive for.” Community theater touches the heart, and when the heart is touched, people and communities have the will to build, to believe, to succeed.
New Mexico Film Foundation
nmfilmfoundation.org
Mission | To help grow the independent film industry in New Mexico by providing resources, educational opportunities, and fiscal sponsorship to New Mexico independent filmmakers and “above-the-line” talent. Proposal | New Mexico Film Foundation seeks funding for administrative, operational, and program costs associated with delivering practical education and resources to New Mexico producers, directors, writers, and actors. These costs include fees to cover salaries, a new accessible website, event location rentals, and supplies for events as well as speakers at these educational events. Noteworthy | We seek to address the opportunity gap for "above-the-line" positions available in film production. Data on these types of positions are not readily available as the focus of the NM Film Office is "below-the-line" crew which are blue collar, lower wage earning jobs (https://nmfilm.com/ jobs-training/industry-faqs). NMFF seeks to increase practical education and resources for filmmakers in lead industry and creative roles not currently promoted by the state.
New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus
nmgmc.org
Mission | To reduce homophobia and intolerance and create a positive image of the LGBTQ+ community through high-quality, public musical performances. Our motto is “Changing the World Through Music.” We strive to be an empowering voice for the LQBTQ+ community and to enrich all of New Mexico through our choral excellence. Our strength grows as we add voice to voice, and that understanding between people of diverse cultures and orientations increases each time we perform. Proposal | Funds will support expanded outreach throughout northern New Mexico. We hope to continue to build our performance schedule and audience base in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. We've gone from one small holiday performance a year to a full three-concert season at the Lensic Theatre and continue to grow our connections throughout the community, allowing us more opportunities to engage students, artists, LGBTQ+, and at-risk communities. Noteworthy | A recent Gallup poll reports 4.5% of adults in New Mexico identify as LGBTQ+. In 2020, More than one in three LGBTQ+ in the U.S. report discrimination of some kind. Discrimination adversely affects the mental and economic well-being of many LGBTQ+ Americans with one in two who reporting some negative psychological impacts. 92% of LGBTQ+ youth say they hear negative messages about being LGBTQ+, mostly in school, the internet, and from their peers. Our activities provide positive messages and role models.
New Mexico Historic Sites—Los Luceros
nmhistoricsites.org
Mission | New Mexico Historic Sites’ mission is to protect and preserve those culturally significant properties designated as state historic sites and to provide for their interpretation, use, and enjoyment by present and future generations. Los Luceros Historic Site’s (LLHS) guiding principles include: preservation and interpretation of cultural resources; continuation of traditional agricultural practices; conservation of the natural environment; and community engagement. Proposal | Located on the banks of the Rio Grande just north of Alcalde, Los Luceros Historic Site is one of New Mexico’s most scenic and historically rich properties. Funding will support interpretive programming aimed at furthering a sense of community among stakeholders, particularly underserved communities and children. Noteworthy | Considerable discrepancies exist in the geographical and economic demographics of our visitors. In 2022, 887 of our visitors came from Santa Fe and Los Alamos, which have median household incomes of $57k and $115k, respectively, while only 386 visitors came from Española ($37k) or Alcalde ($32k). Only 9% of all visitors were children. To address these discrepancies, LLHS is committed to providing programming targeting children and local families who otherwise would not have access to cultural institutions or safe outdoor spaces.
New Mexico Performing Arts Society
nmpas.org
Mission | New Mexico Performing Arts Society is the leading nonprofit performing arts organization in New Mexico that exclusively uses and develops New Mexican talent. We bring high quality performances to communities throughout the state and train talented young people to become even better performers—and we do so with a sustainable model that both pays our artists a living wage and keeps our overhead costs low. Proposal | Cultural preservation matters and New Mexico Performing Arts Society occupies a unique position in the cultural landscape of New Mexico. We exclusively present top New Mexico artists in interesting programs of popular and lesser known repertoire across several musical/multidisciplinary genres. Founded by seven professional musicians and fine artists with extensive experience on the international stage, NMPAS contributes to the high artistic standards for which New Mexico's major presenters are known. Noteworthy | Change is coming to classical music! Arts consultant Aubrey Bergauer's “Top 10 Checklist” for growing younger audiences is working wonders: expand the musical offerings, let people record exciting moments on their phone, install large-screen monitors for an upclose experience, let audiences applaud spontaneously, be honest in admitting failure, work to diversify artist roster and audience, and let data drive your approach to management, not the loudest voices on the board (aubreybergauer.com).
New Mexico State Committee—National Museum of Women in the Arts
newmexicowomeninthearts.org
Mission | To support the mission of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC and to bring recognition to the achievements of New Mexico women artists in the visual, digital, performance, and literary arts. Established in 1997, we remain committed to advancing the voices, perspectives, and stories about culture and life that New Mexico women artists contribute to our society and to the world. Proposal | We champion women artists across New Mexico in support of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Membership is open to all, both artists and their supporters. Noteworthy | For centuries, social conventions limited the training available to women artists, the subjects they could render, and the ways they could market art to patrons. Gender bias is less overt today, but contemporary women artists still face obstacles and disparities. Historical trailblazers still deserve to have their stories told.
Poetry Pollinators
poetrypollinators.org
Mission | To engage art, poetry, and education to bring back declining native bee populations and animate public spaces as ecological systems to support the flourishing of all species. Proposal | Unlike honey bees, lesser-known native solitary bees have no hive, no honey, and no queen. Poetry Pollinators on the Santa Fe River is an eco-poetry public art initiative seeking funds to install up to four bee nesting houses by the Santa Fe River. Each will integrate art, education, and ecopoetry with dynamic programming that will change seasonally. The project benefits artists, poets, the broader community, our ecosystem and the river, a living artery that unites diverse Santa Fe communities. Noteworthy | Pollinators, which are necessary for 75% of food crops, are declining globally in both abundance and diversity due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Some states in the U.S. have created legislation to address five specific areas relating to pollinator decline: awareness, research, pesticides, habitat protection, and beekeeping. Santa Fe has proudly joined the Bee City USA program. We partner with local organizations, initiatives, and agencies for action on this urgent issue.
Pomegranate Studios LLC
pomegranatestudio.org
Mission | To provide youth with high-quality dance education in conjunction with mentorship that promotes self-esteem and empowerment as well as social and financial literacy in order to create healthy and strong individuals who are socially and fiscally responsible to themselves and their community. Pomegranate SEEDs® (Self-Esteem, Empowerment and Education through Dance) is offered at little or no cost to students in order to reach youth who otherwise may not have opportunities for arts education. Proposal | Contributions to the Pomegranate SEEDs® Youth Mentorship Program have allowed us to offer this powerful program at low or no cost to the youth of our community for the last 20 years. Access to the arts as well as tools for developing self-esteem, social skills, and financial literacy are vital for promoting strong individuals and therefore strong communities. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors. Noteworthy | Growing up in poverty is one of the biggest threats to healthy development, as well as physical and emotional well-being. New Mexico has one of the highest child-poverty rates in the country (U.S. Census Bureau 2018). Pomegranate SEEDs® seeks to address this issue. In addition to rich arts education, students receive financial skills and career mentorship in order to help end the cycle of poverty.
Queen Bee Music Association
queenbeemusicassociation.org
Mission | To support musicians in every stage of their career, no matter their age, aspiration, or ability. Proposal | Funding for Queen Bee Music Association supports music education in northern New Mexico. Founded in 2019, Queen Bee Music Association provides music education through its group classes, summer camps, and free community programs for folks of all ages. Noteworthy | In 2022, Queen Bee is proud to provide more than 4,000 free musical engagements, 95% of which are for school-aged children, toddlers, and babies. With rising costs of living, including rent, having expendable income for enrichment activities can be impossible for many families and individuals in our community. Queen Bee reduces the financial barriers to access music education and experiences with its Scholarship Fund and community programs.
Renesan, Institute for Lifelong Learning
renesan.org
Mission | To provide a balanced and dynamic curriculum of courses and trips focused on art, cultural studies, current events, history, literature, music, and science. Primarily volunteer run and led, we strive to be inclusive and accessible to all members of the Santa Fe and northern New Mexico communities. We are dedicated to the belief that everyone can learn, challenge their beliefs, and expand their knowledge and intellectual capacity at any age. Proposal | In the last three years, RENESAN has dealt with financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have enhanced our online course offerings and have worked to professionalize and streamline our operations while still providing inexpensive, high-quality courses. We seek to regain financial stability to ensure continued service to our mostly senior student base while moving toward offering classes on a more varied schedule and improving the diversity of instructors and enrollees. Noteworthy | The 2021–2022 budget deficit for RENESAN was $25,267. The 2023-2024 budget deficit is $19,954. Our total assets at the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year were $80,007. We can continue operating for only one or two more years if the current deficit level continues. The current instructor honorarium for a six-hour course for RENESAN is $300. The current Executive Director pay is $48,000. This does not include benefits. The Executive Director position is 30 hours a week and the typical workload is 40+ hours.
Santa Fe Canyon Preservation Association
Mission | To protect and enhance the historic and cultural history and the environment of the Santa Fe Canyon. Proposal | The restored Hydro Plant in the Water History Park played a crucial role in the growth of Santa Fe as it provided reliable water and electricity leading to a train station, allowing the first subdivision and businesses to stay open later. The local government allowed developers use of water from the Santa Fe River, effectively ending its use for 275 years by the oldest democratic institutions, the Acequias, and this destroyed the Hispanic agricultural way of life; a history known only to those who grew up here. Noteworthy | Many Hispanics feel alienated because developers and newcomers took away their way of life and culture. This is one of the ways in which that happened. It is a story repeated throughout New Mexico which needs to be taught.
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
santafechambermusic.com
Mission | To bring together the world’s greatest musicians to perform chamber music in all its forms, to build an increasingly broad and knowledgeable audience of all ages, to offer diverse educational programs, and to enhance the cultural environment of Santa Fe and greater New Mexico. Proposal | The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival seeks financial support for honoring its roots and celebrating its future during the monumental 2023 50th Anniversary Season. Funding ensures the Festival presents high quality performances featuring premier and emerging talent, expands community outreach and awareness, and deepens the impact of the Festival’s diverse music education programs that serve Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. Noteworthy | The Festival is one of the world’s preeminent music festivals with deep cultural ties to Santa Fe and the community as a whole. Despite steadfast commitments to artistic excellence, the Festival remains an all too hidden gem in the Southwest. The 50th Anniversary represents an opportunity for the organization to reach broader audiences.
The Santa Fe Desert Chorale
desertchorale.org
Mission | To excite, engage, and inspire diverse audiences with the beauty and power of great choral music. Proposal | The Santa Fe Desert Chorale requests support for its 2023 core programming: two festivals of concerts, including Insights & Sounds Symposium, and the weekly community engagement project, Hearts in Harmony, which serves those experiencing homelessness at the Interfaith Community Shelter (Pete's Place). SFDC’s choral programming enhances our city’s cultural vibrancy by deepening the sense of community in New Mexico and beyond, and preserving and strengthening our cultural and historical heritage. Noteworthy | A recent report from Harvard University suggests that 36% of all Americans—including 61% of young adults and 51% of mothers with young children— feel “serious loneliness.” According to a study authored by James S. House, Karl R. Landia, and Debra Umberson, a lack of social connection has been proven to be more harmful to one's health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure. The Desert Chorale seeks to increase unity, social connection, and its associated benefits through choral music.
Santa Fe Playhouse
santafeplayhouse.org
Mission | Santa Fe Playhouse connects the artist with the audience. With these interactions we engage in dialogue to examine, uplift, challenge, and heal through the visceral art of performance and storytelling. Santa Fe Playhouse’s professional standards and celebration of local diverse cultures act as a catalyst, broadening our national recognition as a live arts destination. Proposal | We ask for your support in expanding Playhouse Studio, our new education program for everyone from curious patrons to emerging artists as well as working professionals. The Studio offers professional training and development, which includes classes, workshops, and handson assisting opportunities in acting, directing, and design as well as a newly launched Summer Youth Intensive for younger artists. Noteworthy | The Santa Fe Data Platform estimates that of the B.A. Degrees received in New Mexico, the highest percentage (12.09%) are in Visual and Performing Arts. Despite this, Arts and Entertainment employment outcomes are significantly lower at 4.49%. Through the Playhouse Studio we are bridging a gap between aspiration and practical experience and are forging pathways for practical knowledge, theater careers, and sustainable job opportunities in the creative sector.
Santa Fe Pro Musica, Inc.
sfpromusica.org
Mission | To bring together outstanding musicians to inspire and educate audiences of all ages through the performance of great music. Proposal | Santa Fe Pro Musica requests funds for our Youth Concert Series, which returns to in-person presentations this fall. These interactive Santa Fe Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra performances at the Lensic are accompanied by Q&A sessions and age-appropriate curricula. Additionally, we have recently expanded to include rural students through our new online library of concert recordings and learning materials. This free series represents many students’ first encounters with live classical music. Noteworthy | These performances, which are offered at no cost to students, teachers, and districts, reach 3,000 public-, private-, and home-school students from Pecos, Española, Los Alamos, and Taos each year. Approximately 75% of student attendees identify as Latino. Many of the schools served are among the poorest in northern New Mexico according to district ratings. It is estimated that, since 1993, this program has served over 50,000 area students.
Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Inc
santafesymphony.org
Mission | To be a year-round, regional cultural resource, engaging, inspiring and enriching audiences of all ages and cultures by performances of the highest professional quality. Proposal | Support The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in our upcoming 39th season, which features 11 full orchestral concerts, two SFS Strata concerts, three virtual presentations, six choral/orchestral concerts, six+ free public concerts, and a diverse music education suite that offers private mentorship, educational content delivered directly to music educators in the public schools, elementary-geared music discovery concert for students, chamber concerts in Pueblo communities, and more. Noteworthy | All concerts are available free or low-cost ($22 or less) to adults, seniors, and children in Santa Fe. Around 2,500 children and thousands more adults in Santa Fe and surrounding areas are impacted by The Symphony’s programming each year. Our community programming serves a community for whom 60% reside in underserved areas and/or are enrolled in free and reduced-price school lunch programs. Most would otherwise have limited exposure to classical music or the performing arts in Santa Fe.
School for Advanced Research
sarweb.org
Mission | To advance understanding of humanity through a unique alchemy of creative practice and scholarly research in Native American arts, anthropology, and related disciplines. School for Advanced Research (SAR) offers residential fellowships to Native American artists and, working collaboratively with descendant communities, stewards one of the nation’s finest collections of Southwest Native American art at the Indian Arts Research Center (IARC). SAR also hosts research seminars and public programs on topics of social concern. Proposal | SAR’s IARC public programs include topics on the history and evolution of Native American art and issues facing contemporary Indigenous cultures. SAR Artists Live includes visits to the studios of Native American artists to gain insight into their artistic process, what inspires them, and how current events impact their work. Meanwhile, the Speaker Series actively explores contemporary issues affecting Indigenous museology and collections. Noteworthy | Colonial influence has long determined the collection and curation of Native American arts and artifacts, with museums historically playing the role of gatekeepers who choose which stories to tell and how they would be told. This has rendered Native peoples voiceless. At SAR, the IARC considers its role to be that of stewarding the collections rather than owning them, and works to actively decenter traditional museum hierarchy by closely working with Native communities in all aspects of work.
SciArt Santa Fe
sciartsantafe.org
Mission | To create opportunities for the powerful exchange of ideas among practitioners in the arts, sciences, and technology. Through public forums, we facilitate crossdisciplinary research in these fields, seeking to catalyze solutions for the challenges of the 21st century: spreading global scientific and artistic literacy, establishing sustainable environmental practices, increasing equity, and encouraging freedom of thought and imagination. Proposal | SciArt Santa Fe seeks financial support to continue our work responding to New Mexico’s regional need for more interdisciplinary and cultural dialogue about art and science in people’s lives, especially through the lenses of respect, reconciliation, and justice. We do this by hosting art and science practitioners from our Hispanic/Latine/ Chicane and Tribal communities in our exhibitions and other public forums, through intergenerational workshops, residencies, and collaborative projects. Noteworthy | According to Spotlight On Poverty, in New Mexico, despite 85.60% of the adult population possessing a high school degree, only 27.70% of people over the age of 25 have at least a four-year college degree. Through our programming, we seek to engage Santa Fe and regional communities, including our Hispanic/Latine/ Chicane and Tribal communities, students of color, teachers, elders, people living in poverty, and others who normally do not have regular access to art/science programming.
SITE Santa Fe
sitesantafe.org
Mission | To nurture innovation, discovery, and inspiration through the art of today. Proposal | SITE Santa Fe seeks support for its 2022–2023 exhibits and education programs, presenting a wide range of cultural perspectives and providing multiple entry points for diverse audiences to engage in vital cultural exchange. Exhibits include Rebecca Ward: distance to venus; Max Cole: Endless Journey; Shirin Neshat: Land of Dreams; Billie Zangewa: Field of Dreams; Going With The Flow: Art, Actions, And Western Waters; Pedro Reyes (title tba); Bruce Nauman: His Mark; and Rachel Rose: Enclosure. Noteworthy | Creative industries drive cross-sector innovation and economic development. Of note, creative industries were hardest hit by the pandemic with New Mexico among the top five states with the largest percentage of losses for creative occupations in the nation (Brookings Institute). The desire for cultural exchange facilitated by arts and culture programs is apparent with 77% of arts attendees already attending or ready to attend in-person programs as of April 2022 (Americans for the Arts).
Teatro Paraguas Inc.
teatroparaguasnm.org
Mission | Teatro Paraguas stages contemporary awardwinning Latinx plays in English and bilingual productions of Hispanic/Latinx poetry and classic cuentos (folk-tales), while promoting children's theater, producing the works of New Mexico playwrights, and celebrating the history, richness, and diversity of New Mexico's many cultures and artistic talent. Proposal | We are northern New Mexico's premiere theater company for producing Latinx plays and year-round culturally relevant bilingual programming, while providing two intimate 55-seat black box theaters for use at cost by other theater companies and individual performers. Over two hundred public events happen each year at Teatro Paraguas, including plays and play readings, poetry readings, concerts, flamenco performances, film screenings, workshops, lectures, and meetings. Noteworthy | Since January 2022, Teatro Paraguas has produced 30 performances of six plays, including El Boorthay Parti (a benefit for SF Unitarian Church to help Afghan families), and Save The Bees, which toured to Denver and is scheduled for Silver City in September. We hosted 10 poetry readings, and our Children’s Theatre held a spring semester with performances. We also hosted performances, rehearsals and/or workshops for 17 guest companies, including Meow Wolf, Santa Fe Community College, and Santa Fe CHART.
Theatre Santa Fe
theatresantafe.org
Mission | To bring everyone together to encourage, support and promote the growth of live (theatrical) performance arts in and around the city of Santa Fe. Theatre Santa Fe is a collaborative organization of theater artists, organizations, and their audiences. Proposal | We are seeking support to provide artists with more opportunities and avenues of support, from expanding our new venue for shared costume storage, rehearsal and performance space, to developing our website's resources for artists and patrons alike. Noteworthy | Santa Fe is home to over 20 producing theater companies, many of which lack their own spaces. With only a handful of fully outfitted theater spaces for production, Theatre Santa Fe is forging new pathways for companies to leverage their resources, support each other and grow the overall theater community in Santa Fe to become as strong as many of the other world class arts communities in Santa Fe.
Tomorrow's Women
tomorrowswomen.org
Mission | Tomorrow’s Women trains young women from Palestine, Israel, and the United States to be strong, compassionate leaders who partner to resolve conflicts and inspire action that promotes equality, peace, and justice for all. Proposal | The 2023 Peace Ambassadors cohort will consist of 15 New Mexican female teens. Participants engage in six months of peacebuilding training based on TW's signature methodology of compassionate listening, authentic speaking, and learning the core tenants of becoming an empathetic, global leader. Participants will also connect with their counterparts in Israel and Palestine, graduates of the Young Leader Program, through two transformational encounters, culminating in a community-wide art project. Noteworthy | According to the New Mexico Risk and Resiliency Survey: 37% of New Mexico high school girls report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness within the past month; Only 56% of girls reported that “outside my home and school" an adult really cares about me; 57% shared that "outside of my home and school" there is an adult I trust; and only 38% stated that "outside home and school" I am a part of group activities.
Wise Fool New Mexico
wisefoolnewmexico.org
Mission | To ignite the imagination, build community, and promote social justice through performances and hands-on experiences in the arts of circus, puppetry, and theater. Our programs build life skills through creative expression; they promote problem-solving through dialogue, utilize art to nurture a just society, and create a safe space where youth can flourish. We strategically focus on engaging underserved communities throughout New Mexico. Proposal | This funding will enable teens' participation in the 2023 American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO) biennial festival hosted by a circus organization anywhere in the U.S. It's an honor to travel to AYCO and an essential step in a teen's personal and professional development. They join a network of circus-loving peers at the festival, take workshops, make friends, and perform. By observing others, teens see firsthand how persistence, dedication, and creativity can form their future circus dreams. Noteworthy | Wise Fool's youth programs teach 1,500+ students each year and follow pathways that systematically build skills while empowering youth to set incremental goals. The AYCO festival is a highlight on their journey enabling teens to become paid Wise Fool employees as camp counselors, assistant coaches, or performers. Teens typically perform these roles alongside their education while building their time-management and leadership skills.
Zia Singers
theziasingers.com
Mission | To promote joy by championing the love and craft of women’s choral music through public performance, education and outreach. A community chorus since 1993, the Zia Singers received 501(c)3 status in 2016. The Zia Singers perform a varied repertoire including classical, traditional, international, Broadway, and pop, often introducing new choral compositions to New Mexico audiences. Listeners are encouraged to feel a connection with the music, the singers, and each other. Proposal | We request funding for marketing and production costs that our organization will incur during the coming 2022–2023 concert season in which our performances will deliver an emotional and empowering call to action on climate and the environment. Our goal is to collaborate with other Santa Fe area environmental nonprofits by offering them an opportunity to use audio and/or video from our performances to encourage passionate stewardship of New Mexico's land, water, and air. Noteworthy | New Mexico temperatures have risen more than two degrees since the start of the 20th century. Statistics alone may not move people to act, but music has the power to create emotional response and inspire people to get involved. Our 2021 online concerts, "Unsung" and "Hear My Voice", had 5,517 viewers. The Zias will perform five concerts this season. In partnership with others, we expect to build our audience and support the Santa Fe community by focusing greater awareness on our precious earth.
