Live Programs
The New Mexico Museum of Art provides both in-person and virtual live programs throughout the year. Continue reading to learn about our varied real-time engagement opportunities. These offerings range from regular event series, such as our annual collaboration with El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, to standalone programs, such as an Open Mic Poetry event for New Mexico Youth. Whether you are looking to bring a museum educator to lead a program in your classroom, or an art enthusiast searching for a hands-on workshop, or even a parent interested in an art-making event for the whole family, this is the place for you. Read below for general descriptions of our live programming. For specific, upcoming events click here to be directed to the Museum’s events page. Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Email Head of Education, Chris Nail, at chris.nail@dca.nm.gov
Invite an Educator
Invite an Educator is the best way to request one of our museum educators to facilitate a program in your classroom or community gathering. Available both virtually and in-person, the Museum’s programs are listed on the Invite a DCA Educator portal hosted by The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). To schedule with one of our educators, visit the Invite a DCA Educator program page and fill out a request form. Make sure you select from the New Mexico Museum of Art’s offerings, as there are many different museums and historic sites that use this portal.
Las Golondrinas Lecture Series
Each year, from January to March, the New Mexico Museum of Art is pleased to partner with El Rancho de Las Golondrinas to bring a stunning series of speakers to the St. Francis Auditorium. Presentations cover a range of topics, from author talks to the history of witchcraft in New Mexico. To find out what events are taking place soon, visit this link.
Free Community Days
On these special days, the Museum offers free admission to the public, special activities related to exhibitions, and other entertainment. See our Events page at this link to learn about upcoming Community Days.
Free First Fridays
As part of the Palace Arts District, the Museum joins with the other museums and galleries along Palace Avenue to offer programming and events on the first Friday of every month from 5-7 PM. Look to the Museum’s events page for announcements of special First Friday programs. Admission is free for everyone from 5-7 PM on First Fridays. Don’t forget that, during extended seasonal hours from May through October, admission to the museum is free for New Mexico residents from 5-7 PM every Friday!
Family Art Making Days
Family Art Making Programs are the first Sunday of the month. 10 AM to 12 PM, families are invited to participate in an art activity in the classroom at the Vladem Contemporary and explore the exhibitions at both locations, the Vladem Contemporary and the New Mexico Museum of Art on the Plaza. These events are FREE for families, light snacks will be provided.
N.M. Art Book Club
Is there anything more enjoyable than looking at art and talking about books? We at the Museum Library don’t think so and that’s why we started an art-themed book club! Four times a year, on the first Sundays in February, May, August and November, you are invited to pick up a suggested title related to art, artists, art elements or the “art world” and join us in the galleries for a new perspective on exhibition artworks. For more information email Librarian Abby Smith, abby.smith@dca.nm.gov
High School Photography Workshops
This is a summer intensive program for teens. Each workshop will include instruction in landscape, portrait, and studio photography, basic studio lighting, an introduction to digital editing workflow and concepts, and digital portfolio and critique experience.
Story Time at the Museum Library
For two months in the summer and again in the fall the Museum Library invites children aged 3-5 to experience Art Explored! Story Time at the New Mexico Museum of Art Library. On Monday mornings at 10:30 AM children and their caregivers are invited to the Museum Library to learn about a basic element of art though story, song, and craft. Led by the Amazing Cyndi, this program will introduce children to concepts such as color, line, and form. This program also provides children with an opportunity to become familiar with museums as safe spaces of fun and exploration. Check our Events calendar for upcoming program dates
Exhibition Programs
The New Mexico Museum of Art provides both in-person and virtual programs throughout the year. We offer a variety of formats and subjects, such as People to People, panel discussions, artist and curator presentations, and other special, exhibition-related events. Visit our Events page to learn about what is up next at the Vladem Contemporary.
School Tours
School Tours allow teachers and students to dive deeper into exhibition themes and the elements of art in conjunction with a Docent-led tour of one or more of the exhibitions on-view at the Museum. This program is available for free to any school group and can be customized to fit the needs of individual groups. From art activities to presentations about museum careers, and even guided research in our Library and Archives, the options for extended learning are expansive. Just ask to discuss options for enhancing your school tour when scheduling your visit! To schedule a tour complete the form found here.
Studio Workshops
Studio Workshops will provide opportunities for anyone to become an artist. From week-long classes on smartphone photography to drop-in life drawing sessions, we hope to provide a variety of artistic instruction for the New Mexico communities.
Final Fridays
At Vladem Contemporary, the Museum joins with the other museums and galleries in the Railyard to offer programming and events on the final Friday of the month from 5 to 7 PM. Look to the Museum’s events page for announcements of special Final Friday programs. Admission is free for everyone at Vladem Contemporary from 5 to 7 PM on Final Fridays. Also, during extended hours from May through October, admission to the Museum is free for New Mexico residents from 5 to 7 PM every Friday!