Credit: New Mexico Arts © 2025
NMMC News:
SANTE FE — Sparking curiosity, creating musical understanding, hosting immersive concerts, and exposing people to various musical traditions are some of the goals of the 12 organizations receiving funding from the New Mexico Music Commission’s Music in the Community Grants Program. The Music Commission announces awardees for the 2026 season.
“The New Mexico Music Commission appreciates the chance to contribute to the vibrant music community within our state,” commission chair Carlos Medina said.
The 12 organizations, located in communities around the state and receiving a combined $30,000 in grant funding, include AfroMundo, Carrizozo Music, Inc., Cibola Arts Council, Eastern New Mexico University, Horizons of Albuquerque, IndigenousWays Festival, Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc., KMRD-96.9 FM, Manzano Mountain Art Council, San Juan Symphony, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, and Southwest Roots Music.
The grant program, in its second year, aims to enrich rural, tribal, veteran, disability, and other underserved communities through funding that supports new or existing music engagement, music education, music appreciation, or music performance activities in New Mexico.
Joseph Sanchez, CEO and General Manager of Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc. (JMEC) said, “JMEC is grateful to the New Mexico Music Commission for its generous grant. The grant will provide a live performance by Chimayo native and JMEC member Severo y Grupo Fuego during our annual meeting.”
The Cibola Arts Council plans to use the grant for their annual Day of the Dead/Ancestral Celebration by hosting a Mariachi band in November of 2025, as well as for musical performances during the Bayanihan, Filipino Cultural Extravaganza in December of 2025. KMRD- 96.9 FM, Madrid’s community radio station, will use grant funding to celebrate its 10th anniversary in the summer of 2025 by hosting a free all-day music festival at the Madrid ballpark.
Horizons of Albuquerque will use grant funds to expand their summer guitar program into a year-round initiative offering lessons to Horizons students in 4th-12th grades. The San Juan Symphony will use funding to expand educational outreach through the “Inside the Orchestra” program, which will bring area 4th graders into the heart of the symphony, providing an interactive school-day concert with guided narration by conductor Thomas Heuser.
These are some of the unique programs funded by the Music in the Community Grant Program. To learn more about all 12 recipient organizations and their projects visit newmexicomusic.org/grantawardees/.
About New Mexico Music Commission (NMMC)
NMMC, a governor-appointed body, protects, promotes, and preserves the musical traditions of New Mexico. The Commission consists of a cross-section of New Mexico citizens representing all facets of the state’s unique and diverse music industry. NMMC is administrated by New Mexico Arts, the state’s federally recognized arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. To learn more about the Music in the Community Grants Program visit newmexicomusic.org.