ARTSPeak                                                                            January 2012

Executive Director's Notes
Coastal Symphony, Patricia Gould, mixed-media fiber arts, Artesia Public Safety Complex.
Greetings and Happy New Year from the Executive Director.

 

This continues to be a challenging time for those of us who work in the arts, but with challenge comes opportunity.

 

I was struck by the art of the possible while listening to political strategist and blogger Matthew Dowd at a recent advocacy gathering in Washington DC, convened and sponsored by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) for the heads of state arts agencies and other arts leaders from the West.  Dowd, chief strategist for the Bush-Cheney '04 presidential campaign, talked about how polarized politics is right now, both in our nation's capital and across the country. "The overlap between liberal Republicans and conservative Democrats is virtually nonexistent," Dowd said.

 

People are looking for unity, however, and "we can link the arts to that need," Dowd said.

 

Dowd told the Western arts leaders that it is incumbent upon us to present solutions and to build relationships with depth. "The arts need to be part of the conversation and the conversation needs to be values-based," Dowd said. "We need positive narratives and stories. ... We need authenticity."

 

People want solutions that resonate with their gut or heart, not their head, Dowd said.  Dowd noted that the late Steve Jobs, Apple cofounder and visionary, was at his core an artist and a creative.  Creativity and innovation are the new drivers of our economy and society, Dowd said.

 

We need to focus our efforts locally and show how the arts are part of the solution in our communities, Dowd said.

 

New Mexico Arts has launched an updated website for our New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails that was overseen by former project manager Carol Cooper who recently retired. Kudos and Happy Trails to Carol who leaves a wonderful legacy with the updated Fiber Arts Trails websiteThe site features a Google map-based search tool for visitors, and new "Resources for Artists" section that includes business resources and funding opportunities for artists and arts enterprises.

 

As Governor Susana Martinez noted in her welcome message on the updated website, our Arts Trails are designed to put our New Mexico artists on the map and bring the market to them.  "Explore and support creativity at its source, as you travel our scenic roads and see the enchanting landscapes that inspire our artists," Governor Martinez said.

 

I also want to give a shout out to the "Trail Mix: A Taste of the Trail and Demo Day" held in Tome in December by one of our community-based Arts Trails,  the Arts and Heritage Trails & Rails in Valencia County.  Organizers Heidi Snell and Jan Pacifico made tasty packets of trail mix to hand out to visitors, who were able to partake in food samples from local restaurants, visit artist demonstrations and purchase art, as they learned about this project sponsored by New Mexico Arts.  The Arts Trails program is one of our economic development and cultural tourism initiatives at New Mexico Arts for which we continue to get national recognition.  Art does work as a catalyst in the creative economy.

 

New Mexico Arts and other divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs will celebrate Culture Day at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, on Monday, January 23, during the legislative session.  New Mexico Arts staff will be on-hand all day at our booth right off the Rotunda.  So please come by and say hello, learn about our programs, and let us know what's on your minds.

 

Culture Day is a great time to schedule a meeting with your local state legislators at the Capitol to remind them of the importance of state funding for the arts.  Like so many other states, New Mexico continues to face budget challenges but it is critical that the arts not be singled out for excessive cuts during the 30-day legislative session that begins on January 17.

 

Our Seventh Annual State Finals for the Poetry Out Loud national recitation contest for high school students will be held Sunday, February 12, beginning at 1 p.m., in St. Francis Auditorium in the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe. Please come and watch our talented students compete.  The winner will represent New Mexico as our state finalist in the Poetry Out Loud national championship this spring in Washington DC.  Centennial Poet Levi Romero will perform during our state finals this year.

 

I want to congratulate and acknowledge Arts Commissioner Sherry Davis of Santa Fe who was named chair of our advisory New Mexico Arts Commission by Governor Martinez. Sherry is a dynamo, with great experience and passion for the arts, it is a pleasure working with her in this new capacity.

 
Loie Fecteau, Executive Director

[email protected]

New Mexico 2012 Centennial
New Mexico 2012 Centennial: Centennial Journeys, a series of two-minute radio spots that feature important historical events related to our state's quest for statehood and beyond are now airing.  They are being distributed by the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. The Public Education Department is collaborating with UNM's Center for Southwest Research (CSWR) to make the programs available as teaching tools for educators around the state. The CSWR is adding content, such as historic photos and documents, to the programs along with transcripts of them, to be made available on their website.
 
Nominations WILL SOON BE Sought for ANNUAL Governor's Arts Awards

Urban Galaxy 4, Ramona Sakiestewa, University of New Mexico Art MuseumThe Governor's Arts Awards were established in 1974 by Governor Bruce King and First Lady Alice King to honor New Mexicans who have made a significant lifetime contribution to the arts and are identified with New Mexico.  This prestigious annual award recognizes both individuals and organizations and acknowledges the considerable role, both economic and cultural, that artists, craftspeople and arts supporters play in the life of New Mexico.  For more than three decades a prominent and diverse group of painters, weavers, sculptors, dancers, musicians, storytellers, poets, actors, playwrights, potters, and arts supporters have been honored.

 

Nominations for the awards are invited each year from interested New Mexicans and arts groups statewide.

 

Nominations are reviewed by the New Mexico Arts Commission and the Governor.  The deadline for 2012 nominations is March 12, 2012.   For more information, contact Virginia Castellano at 505/827-6490 or email [email protected].

 

In This Issue
Executive Director's Notes
New Mexico 2012 Centennial
Nominations Will Soon Be Sought for Governor's Arts Awards
NEW MEXICO ARTS OPPORTUNITIES
Deadline Extended to
January 26, 2012
Petrified Log Rhythms, Patricia Gould, mixed-media fiber quilt, Curry County Fairgrounds & Special Events Center 
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

 

 
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Axle Contemporary

announces a call for artists.  The Housing Trust is developing an affordable housing project in Santa Fe.  A well site on the property will be converted to a small community plaza.  Submissions are sought to design an artwork for the plaza.  The selected artist  will be awarded $20,000 for design and construction costs.  Submission requirements available

here.

 

SAVE THE DATE!

February 1, 2012, Creative Capital will begin accepting online Letters of Inquiry for grants in Emerging Fields, Literature, and Performing Arts.  The Inquiry Form will be open until March 1.  Visit creativecapital.org to read the grant guidelines and learn more about the application process, or attend an in-person or online information session.

CALL FOR ARTISTS

The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, Art in Public Places Program is seeking to commission an artist/team to work on the Linden Street Pocket Park Project.

 

This project is open to all professional Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico artists/artist teams, legally residing in and authorized to work in the United States. 

 

Submissions must be received by January 31, 2012.  Download the RFQ here. 

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New Mexico Arts Mission:
To preserve, enhance, and develop the arts in New Mexico through partnerships, public awareness, and education, and to enrich the quality of life for present and future generations.
 

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