Cultivating the arts: 20 New Mexico organizations awarded National Endowment for the Arts grants

A little over a year ago, Bryan Konefsky and Basement Films were evicted from their space at the University of New Mexico.

Basement Films, a volunteer-run micro-cinema supporting experimental and under-represented forms of media-making through public screenings, performances, workshops, and lectures, was looking for a new home and Central New Mexico Community College came to the rescue.

Earlier this month, Basement Films was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant for $15,000 that will help produce Experiments in Cinema v20.0, which will take place in April 2025.

Konefsky said it is the fifth NEA grant that Basement Films has been given over the years.

“It’s kinda incredible to think that last year we were evicted from our studio in a situation that was profoundly disruptive to our organization, but we are now bouncing back, and this award is a clear example of how we are respected and valued on a national/international level,” Konefsky said. “A short while ago, Senses of Cinema magazine voted Experiments in Cinema to be amongst the Top 10 international, experimental film festivals.”

The NEA announced its second round of granting in mid-May and there were a total of 20 New Mexico organizations that were awarded a total of $1.4 million.

In total, the NEA granted more than $110 million to organizations across all 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions.

The grants fall under three NEA funding categories: Grants for Arts Projects, Our Town, and State and Regional Partnerships.

“These projects exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities — all through the arts,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, NEA chair. “So many aspects of our communities such as cultural vitality, health and well-being, infrastructure, and the economy are advanced and improved through investments in art and design, and this funding at the local, state, and regional levels demonstrates the National Endowment for the Arts’ commitment to ensuring people across the country benefit.”

Santa Fe Pro Musica is also set to receive $20,000 from the NEA.

According to Sam McClung, Santa Fe Pro Musica marketing manager, the funds will be used to support its season opening orchestra concert — “I Hear America Singing” — on Sept. 29.

Other New Mexico organizations receiving grants are:

516 ARTS — $65,000 to support an art exhibition and accompanying catalog exploring locomotive history in the United States.

ALMA — $65,000 to support a community-based public art installation at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge.

Basement Films Inc. — $15,000 to support the Experiments in Cinema international film festival and related public programming.

Flamenco Works, Inc. — $20,000 to support the development and production of a dance work by choreographer Jesús Muñoz.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Inc. — $23,000 to support staff costs, equipment and software to enhance collection documentation and management.

Opera Southwest — $25,000 to support the world premiere of “Llantos 1492,” an opera flamenco by flamenco and classical guitarist, composer and librettist Adam del Monte.

University of New Mexico Main Campus — $36,000 to support a project featuring the photography of Rapheal Begay (Diné b. 1991).

University of New Mexico Main Campus (on behalf of Harwood Museum of Art) — $30,000 to support the exhibition “Earth & Sky Interjected: Luchita Hurtado” at the Harwood Museum of Art.

Working Classroom, Inc. — $35,000 to support artist residencies and workshops.

STEMarts Lab — $25,000 to support technology development for “Space Messengers,” a touring program featuring interactive and mixed reality components.

Avokado Artists, Inc. — $40,000 to support the 20th annual presentation of “Globalquerque!”

Lensic Performing Arts Center Corporation — $25,000 to support Summer Scene, a series of community performances and related activities.

Littleglobe Productions — $30,000 to support the web-streaming series “Littleglobe TV.”

New Mexico Arts — $886,602 to support arts programs, services, and activities associated with carrying out the agency’s National Endowment for the Arts-approved strategic plan.

Parallel Studios Inc. (aka Currents New Media) — $30,000 to support a curated exhibition featuring artists and artworks exploring artificial intelligence, robotics, and extended reality, and related public programming.

Partners in Education Foundation for the Santa Fe Public Schools (aka Partners in Education) — $40,000 to support the expansion of ArtWorks, a multidisciplinary arts program for youth.

Santa Fe Pro Musica (aka Pro Musica) — $20,000 to support an orchestral performance project featuring jazz singer and composer Magos Herrera and her trio.

Stagecoach Foundation, Inc. — $12,500 to host a screenwriting conference and story pitch competition for emerging film industry talent.

Wise Fool New Mexico — $20,000 to support circus arts performances and related outreach activities.

Paseo Project — $10,000 to support “Digital Spirit Dancers,” an immersive, holographic installation by Osage artist Dante Biss-Grayson.