Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary for Department of Cultural Affairs | americansforthearts.org
New Mexico Arts has announced the opening of its call for proposals for the 2026 Mini Grant program, aimed at expanding arts engagement among military and veteran communities in the state. The agency, which is part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, will offer $2,500 mini grants to organizations that support learning-based programs, capacity building projects, and other services designed to increase access to art opportunities for active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and their families and caregivers.
According to Michelle Laflamme-Childs, executive director of New Mexico Arts (NMA), "The Arts and the Military mini grants highlight NMA’s significant work in fostering arts and culture opportunities for diverse communities across New Mexico. It is well documented that engagement in the arts fosters social connectedness and belonging, which are essential in supporting the health, well-being, and quality of life of New Mexico’s active-duty military and veteran populations, their families, and caregivers."
During the 2025 grant period, funded programs included a publication by SouthWest Writers titled "Unbreaking the Circle: Stories of Service," featuring prose and poetry from US Armed Forces members and their families living in New Mexico. Other initiatives supported art classes at Groove Art Space in Albuquerque for Kirtland Air Force Base family members as well as a musical performance at Otero Arts in Alamogordo as part of its Veterans Showcase programming.
Organizations interested in applying must be based in or registered to do business in New Mexico. The mini grant does not require matching funds. First-time applicants are required to submit applications for advanced review by September 22, 2025; all final applications are due by November 7, 2025. Application guidelines and information about online informational sessions can be found at nmarts.org/all-programs/arts-the-military/.
In addition to these grants, NMA also coordinates participation by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs in the national Blue Star Museums program. This initiative provides free admission through Labor Day (September 1, 2025) to eight state museums and eight historic sites for active-duty military personnel—including National Guard and Reserve—and their families.
New Mexico Arts serves as the state’s federally recognized arts agency. It administers public art programs such as One Percent for Public Art awards grants to nonprofit organizations statewide for arts programming and offers technical assistance along with educational opportunities for artists and educators throughout New Mexico. More information is available at www.nmarts.org.
