The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs has revealed that New Mexico Arts, the state's arts agency, is the driving force behind the 2024 Arts and the Military Mini Grant program. The initiative will see $2,500 mini grants allocated to benefit military and veteran audiences.
This funding initiative aims to bolster arts and veteran-focused organizations, thereby expanding opportunities for arts engagement among veterans and active-duty service members. The beneficiaries encompass active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and others. Nine New Mexico-based organizations aligning with the program goals of Arts & The Military Mini Grants have been selected for projects. These include SouthWest Writers in Albuquerque, Santa Fe Children’s Museum in Santa Fe, Ghost Ranch National Foundation in Abiquiu, KSJE’s Native Art Veteran Voices of the Four Corners in Farmington, Flamenco Works in Albuquerque, Otero Arts Center in Alamogordo, Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico Veteran Art in Peralta, and WNMU in Silver City. This information was disclosed in a press release by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.
According to Michelle Laflamme-Childs, Executive Director of New Mexico Arts: "The Arts & The Military Initiative is rooted in New Mexico Arts’ mission to ensure the arts are central to the lives of New Mexicans. These proposed projects show the creative efforts of our partners to engage military connected audiences through the arts. Studies continue to show the healing and community building results of participation in the arts."
New Mexico Arts operates under the auspices of the Department of Cultural Affairs as the state's official arts agency. It is guided by an advisory body known as the New Mexico Arts Commission which comprises 15 members appointed by the governor. The agency's core responsibility involves offering financial assistance to non-profit organizations throughout the state that support arts services and programs. Additionally, it oversees administration of a statewide 1% public art program, as per the New Mexico Arts webpage provided by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.
