For the past three years, Creative New Mexico has presented ART NM! – a showcase of arts and culture programming in various communities across the state. ART NM! is made possible, in part, by a grant from New Mexico Arts.  In 2024, seven communities will participate in events that celebrate the visual arts, crafts, poetry, music, literacy, cultural heritage, and technology.  All activities are free.

Artesia

The Artesia Arts & Cultural District will present a Beat Poetry Night on April 23, 6-8 pm, at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center. This is a community-wide open-mike poetry-sharing event to celebrate April as National Poetry Month, held in the style of the classic Beat coffee houses of the 1950s. To get started, three Poetry Workshops will be held at the Artesia Public Library: Adults: April 15, 5-6 pm; Teens: April 16, 5-6 pm; and Kids: April 17, 4-5 pm. Partners: Artesia Arts & Cultural District, Artesia Public Library, Artesia Arts Council, Artesia MainStreet, and Artesia Chamber of Commerce. 

Farmington

Northwest New Mexico Arts Council and ARTS NM! will present a series of Jazz Workshops as a prelude to the Farmington Jazz Festival. The workshops will take place on April 13, 12-2 pm at the Inspired Moments Event Center and will be followed by jazz performances at Orchard Park Plaza from 3-8 pm. Featured jazz performers/workshop facilitators are: Julia Keefe Trio, Indigie Femme, Anderson Quartet, San Juan Jazz Society Combo, The Third Hour, and Civic Winds Jazz Orchestra. 

Gallup

For its ART NM! event, gallupARTS will offer an Arts Advocacy in Action activity led by artist Dana Aldis. Community members will print postcards with Dana’s designs and write messages of support for public funding for the arts. The cards will be mailed to state and federal legislators. This event is part of the Gallup ArtsCrawl on May 11 from 7-9 pm. 

Hatch

Creative New Mexico is teaming up with the Hatch Public Library and Hatch Elementary School Library for a Literacy Celebration/STEAM Hands-on Activities and Bilingual Storytime with REFORMA de Nuevo Mexico. The adventure takes place on April 19 from 1-5 pm. 

Rio Rancho

Rio Rancho’s Creative Crossroads is presenting a Community Celebration of Arts and Culture on Saturday, April 13 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Sandoval County Administration Building. The event features over thirty local vendors and non-profits who will showcase their creative resources to the public.

Roswell

ART NM! An Arts and Culture Day in Roswell is presented jointly by Creative New Mexico and the Roswell Museum during its Second Saturday event, April 13 from 10 am to 1 pm. This family-friendly event features music, hands-on art activities, and a planetarium program. Partners: Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art/Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program, Arts & Crafts Department of the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, Bone Springs Art Space, Creative New Mexico, Historical Society for Southeastern New Mexico, Miniatures and Curious Collections Museum, Pecos Valley Iris Society, Pecos Valley Quilters, Roswell Fine Arts League/The Gallery, Roswell Jazz Festival, and Roswell Museum/Goddard Planetarium. 

Taos

Creative New Mexico joins with Twirl’s Taos Invent Event on April 13 from 12-4 pm at Enos Garcia Gym. Hundreds of community members and businesses collaborate to share skills and ideas that connect play, creativity, exploration, and technology. A hands-on activity, Squishy Circuits, will be presented by Creative New Mexico.