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NAVIGATION

Hello NMSA Families & Friends!

 

As we proudly celebrate the 15th anniversary of New Mexico School for the Arts (NMSA), we look back on a journey defined by bold vision, boundless passion, and an unwavering commitment from our entire community—students and their families, staff, faculty, board members, alumni, and dedicated supporters.

Over these transformative years, NMSA has changed the lives of countless young artist-scholars and set new benchmarks for arts education in New Mexico and beyond. NMSA’s story is one of shared triumph, and while we honor the past, our focus is firmly set on the future. Together, we are charting a bold path for the next 15 years, fueled by an unyielding commitment to broaden our reach, push the boundaries of creativity, and continue nurturing the next generation who will inspire and transform our world.

The past school year was marked by extraordinary achievements that reflect our community’s collective dedication to nurturing young artist-scholars and fostering academic excellence. These milestones are not just highlights—they are the foundation for our future growth and impact.
As we step into the 2024-25 school year, we are filled with pride, hope, and gratitude for the incredible work happening here at NMSA, and we will continue providing opportunities for our scholar-artists to grow and excel in both their academic and artistic pursuits.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Together, we will continue to cultivate a vibrant community where the arts and academics enrich one another, empowering our students to reach their fullest potential. 

Here’s to the incredible journey ahead!

Cindy Montoya
NMSA Art Institute, President

 

Eric Crites
NMSA, Head of School

15 Years Strong: A New Chapter Begins

On August 7th, we opened our doors for the 15th time to welcome 342 students, embarking on another year of academic and artistic excellence. Our community is enriched by students from every corner of the state, representing the diverse heritage and backgrounds that defineNew Mexico.
Leading With Excellence

Our faculty continues to be at the forefront of educational and artistic innovation. Math teachers attended the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in Washington, DC. Santa Fe Poet Laureate Tommy Archuleta worked with our Creative Writing & Literature students and was the keynote speaker at our graduation. We are thrilled to welcome Santana Shorty as our new Creative Writing & Literature Chair, and proudly celebrate Sarah Rowe, who was honored as one of two Teachers of the Year at the Supercomputing Challenge. We also welcomed NMSA and Juilliard graduate Hugo Pizano Orozco (‘17, Dance) as a speaker at the 2024-25 school year opening ceremony, and Sarah Pfisterer embraced her new role as Artistic Director.
Leading With Excellence

Our faculty continues to be at the forefront of educational and artistic innovation. Math teachers attended the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in Washington, DC. Santa Fe Poet Laureate Tommy Archuleta worked with our Creative Writing & Literature students and was the keynote speaker at our graduation. We are thrilled to welcome Santana Shorty as our new Creative Writing & Literature Chair, and proudly celebrate Sarah Rowe, who was honored as one of two Teachers of the Year at the Supercomputing Challenge. We also welcomed NMSA and Juilliard graduate Hugo Pizano Orozco (‘17, Dance) as a speaker at the 2024-25 school year opening ceremony, and Sarah Pfisterer embraced her new role as Artistic Director.

Welcoming Students from Every Corner of the State

One of our most anticipated milestones was the opening of our on-campus dormitory that houses 52 enrolled students, with capacity for 60 residents. This development enhances accessibility and inclusivity, reinforcing our commitment to welcoming students and families from across New Mexico.

Welcoming Students from Every Corner of the State

One of our most anticipated milestones was the opening of our on-campus dormitory that houses 52 enrolled students, with capacity for 60 residents. This development enhances accessibility and inclusivity, reinforcing our commitment to welcoming students and families from across New Mexico.

Welcome to All: Bringing New Mexico Together at NMSA

At NMSA, we believe in the power of community. Our doors are always open to students, families, and supporters from across the state. We host numerous events throughout the year, and we welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the arts and education. Please see the event calendar and plan to join us!

Welcome to All: Bringing New Mexico Together at NMSA

At NMSA, we believe in the power of community. Our doors are always open to students, families, and supporters from across the state. We host numerous events throughout the year, and we welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the arts and education. Please see the event calendar and plan to join us!

A Future Unfolding: Celebrating the Success of the Class of 2024

Ensuring our students are prepared for life beyond NMSA is a cornerstone of our mission. The Class of 2024 showcased outstanding achievements, with all 87 seniors graduating. Many were accepted into prestigious institutions, including Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins, the University of California, Smith College, and top art schools like Otis College of Art and Design and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Collectively, these students were awarded over $10 million in scholarships and financial awards, including one Daniels Scholarship, three Davis Scholarships, and eight Los Alamos National Labs scholarships. Their success is a testament to their talent and dedication, and it underscores the importance of our continued support for their academic and artistic journeys.

A Future Unfolding: Celebrating the Success of the Class of 2024

Ensuring our students are prepared for life beyond NMSA is a cornerstone of our mission. The Class of 2024 showcased outstanding achievements, with all 87 seniors graduating. Many were accepted into prestigious institutions, including Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins, the University of California, Smith College, and top art schools like Otis College of Art and Design and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Collectively, these students were awarded over $10 million in scholarships and financial awards, including one Daniels Scholarship, three Davis Scholarships, and eight Los Alamos National Labs scholarships. Their success is a testament to their talent and dedication, and it underscores the importance of our continued support for their academic and artistic journeys.

Fostering Creativity Through Collaboration & Innovation

This year, we are dedicated to further integrating the arts within our academic curriculum, creating a well-rounded educational experience that prepares our students for diverse future endeavors. We are also continuing to promote collaboration among our arts departments, with a focus on student-driven initiatives. The success of last year’s ArtSpring 2024, “Reverberations,” demonstrated the power of including student voices in these efforts, and we are excited to build on this foundation.

Fostering Creativity Through Collaboration & Innovation

This year, we are dedicated to further integrating the arts within our academic curriculum, creating a well-rounded educational experience that prepares our students for diverse future endeavors. We are also continuing to promote collaboration among our arts departments, with a focus on student-driven initiatives. The success of last year’s ArtSpring 2024, “Reverberations,” demonstrated the power of including student voices in these efforts, and we are excited to build on this foundation.
Celebrating Alumni As They Lead & Inspire

Our first alumni reunion in May marked the beginning of a new tradition. We are excited to share the stories of our graduates as they continue to create, innovate, and advocate within their communities. Among those who have returned to give back are Isabella Aldana (’15, Dance), who is in her second year as our Residential Director, Adán Gallegos (’17, Music, Vocal), Antonio Cisneros (’14, Theatre), and Alejandra Avila (’14, Dance), who are serving as Residential Assistants, and Adrienne Rugg (’20, Theatre), who joins us as a Creative Writing & Literature Teacher.

Celebrating Alumni As They Lead & Inspire

Our first alumni reunion in May marked the beginning of a new tradition. We are excited to share the stories of our graduates as they continue to create, innovate, and advocate within their communities. Among those who have returned to give back are Isabella Aldana (’15, Dance), who is in her second year as our Residential Director, Adán Gallegos (’17, Music, Vocal), Antonio Cisneros (’14, Theatre), and Alejandra Avila (’14, Dance), who are serving as Residential Assistants, and Adrienne Rugg (’20, Theatre), who joins us as a Creative Writing & Literature Teacher.

Would you like to receive a printed copy of NMSA's State of the School?

Please contact Becky Anderson, Director of Advancement
becky.anderson@nmsa-ai.org

Have you made your 2023-2024 Annual Fund donation?

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