Arts in Albuquerque
Ranked
in the top 10 arts destinations for large cities by AmericanStyle
Magazine, Albuquerque has an abundance of art and culture to offer
anyone seeking traditional or contemporary art. The arts in Albuquerque
are locally supported and world-renowned. With top-rated arts markets
Santa Fe and Taos nearby, Albuquerque is part of a dynamic blend of art
and culture. In addition to silver and turquoise jewelry, traditional
pottery, Spanish colonial embroidery, tinwork and other unique works,
you'll find exciting, provocative contemporary works in a variety of art
styles and expressions.
Albuquerque is home to more than 100
galleries and studios offering a variety of art styles and expressions
from traditional Southwestern and Native American to contemporary. Local
galleries host a monthly gallery tour called ArtsCrawl, a community
event for novices and seasoned collectors as well as a wide variety of
other art events. Galleries are scattered throughout the city with
concentrated arts areas in Old Town, Nob Hill and Downtown.
Performing Arts
Albuquerque's thriving performing arts community features the New
Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the National Institute of Flamenco, the
Albuquerque Little Theatre, the Musical Theatre Southwest, Keshet Dance
Company and Tricklock Performance Company plus numerous other
independent theatre companies. Performances are regularly scheduled in
the University of New Mexico's grand Popejoy Hall, the historic KiMo
Theatre in downtown Albuquerque, Albuquerque Little Theater's
performance hall as well as a variety of smaller theater spaces. The
Journal Pavilion, an outdoor arena accommodating 12,000, hosts popular
performing artists from around the world. The Roy E. Disney Center for
Performing Arts at the National Hispanic Cultural Center is
Albuquerque's newest theater, with a world-class stage for theatre,
music, dance, media arts and education. Many casinos surrounding
Albuquerque also boast large performance spaces and regular shows by
touring artists.
Public Art Program
Also known as "1% for the Arts," this program is responsible for the
creation and establishment of more than 400 pieces of art celebrating
Albuquerque's cultural and artistic roots. One of the country's oldest
Public Art Programs, murals, statues, paintings and even decorative bus
stops appear all over town, from the airport to Old Town, the university
and along Route 66. One percent of the general obligation bonds issued,
state grants and private donations help fund the program. (505)
768-3829
www.cabq.gov/publicart
KiMo Theatre
The KiMo Theatre reopened to the public in September 2000 after
undergoing a renovation to restore its original splendor that once
earned it the title of "America's foremost Indian Theater." Built in
1927 in Pueblo Deco, a short-lived architectural style that fused the
spirit of the Indian cultures of the Southwest with the exuberance of
America during the roaring 20s, the KiMo Theatre offers a remarkable
setting for performances.
Business office (505) 768-3522, Ticket office (505) 768-3544
www.cabq.gov/kimo
Albuquerque Museum of Art & History
The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, located in the heart of
historic Old Town, features art of the Southwest as well as 400 years
of Albuquerque history and the Rio Grande Valley through permanent
displays and traveling exhibitions.
(505) 243-7255
www.cabq.gov/museum
University Art Museum
Home to New Mexico's largest collection of fine arts and the
nation's largest university museum collection of photography, this
facility oversees five galleries on the University of New Mexico campus.
Over 26,000 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculptures and
more - from Renaissance to modern times - make up the permanent
collection.
(505) 277-4001
http://unmartmuseum.unm.edu/
Jonson Gallery
Featuring the archives and works of modernist painter Raymond
Jonson, this gallery on the University of New Mexico campus celebrates
New Mexico's wide range of past and present activity in the arts. Works
of Jonson's contemporaries and students are also featured.
(505) 277-4967
www.unm.edu/jonsong
Annual Arts Events (there are many more events, but this is a sampling of annual events)
- Annual Revolutions International Theatre Festival, January
- New Mexico Italian Film Festival, February
- Women & Creativity Celebration, March
- American Indian Week “Pueblo Days” & Spring Indian Art Market, April
- Festival Flamenco Internacional de Albuquerque, June
- Albuquerque Folk Festival, June
- New Mexico Arts & Crafts Fair, June
- Mariachi Spectacular, July
- The Duke City Shootout-Digital Film Festival, July
- New Mexico State Fair, September
- ¡Globalquerque!, September
- Go! Downtown Arts Festival, September
- Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival, October
- Fall Indian Art Market, October
- Annual Old Town Santero Market, October
- Weems International Artfest, November
- Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival Holiday Show, November
- Fine Crafts Show, December
For additional information about discovering the art of Albuquerque, please visit
http://www.itsatrip.org/albuquerque/arts/default.aspx.
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