Weekly Update: Experience New Mexico’s Museums, Historic Sites, and Cultural Institutions from Anywhere

May 15th, 2020

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions continue to operate virtually during this time of social distancing, offering resources, activities, and exhibitions to be enjoyed remotely.

Here’s a collection of updated online tools available from DCA divisions: 

Typically held annually on May 15, this year’s Blessing of the Fields procession at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum was canceled. A video clip of last year’s procession is available to watch on Facebook and Instagram. 

“This Week in New Mexico History” is an Historic Preservation Division series on Facebook that focuses on properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, with new posts each Friday. 

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture this past week on Facebook shared a Vogue.com article titled "15 Indigenous Designers on What Sustainable Fashion Is Missing," about how Indigenous artists in North America today approach their creation process with a mutual respect for nature and the world that they live in. 

The virtual exhibit "Alexander Girard: A Designer’s Universe" is now available on the Museum of International Folk Art website. This tour opens a door to Girard’s creative universe and shows his close relationships with contemporaries such as Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Andy Warhol, and Rudi Gernreich.

MOIFA will host the seventh performance of the virtual concert series “Our Fair New Mexico,” featuring New Mexican string band Lone Piñon. Watch the concert on Facebook at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 15. 

The fourth episode of the podcast “La Hilacha: Words and Memories,” from the History and Literary Arts Program at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, is now available. This episode focuses on traditional healing, including readings from books, a discussion with a curandera, and reminiscences of family remedies. 

The New Mexico Music Commission through Facebook continues to share video and livestream performances from musicians in New Mexico and nationally, as well as music-related COVID-19 information and resources, including artist funds.  

New Mexico Historic Sites and Fort Stanton Inc. will host an online version of the second annual Rio Bonito Folk Festival at 3 p.m. on May 16. The virtual festival will feature regional music artists. Watch it live on Facebook. 

The New Mexico History Museum Blog is up and running, with four posts published this month. 

The New Mexico Museum of Art has launched a "Personal Collections" series on Facebook, where staff members share the items they collect at home.  

Are you anxious to get out and explore nature? The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is producing a series of "Quick Trip" videos, including hikes for the public to enjoy. Watch a preview on YouTube. 

Want to be a rocket scientist? Or just want know what they do? The New Mexico Rocketeer Academy from the New Mexico Museum of Space History has something for the young astronaut in each of us.

The New Mexico State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled has launched a Facebook page to help maintain communication with current and potential patrons, and the people who assist them.

More information related to social media and online resources for each division of DCA is available upon request.

About the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, seven historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, the DCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation. Together, the facilities, programs, and services of the Department support a $5.6 billion cultural industry in New Mexico. 

Events, news releases, and images related to activities in divisions of the DCA can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org.

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