LAAC News: In just 96 hours, supporters of the arts in Los Alamos raised more than $5,200 for the Los Alamos Arts Council (LAAC).
The organization has more than 30 new members, and sold out its first Tea Tasting fundraiser at Samizdat. Because of this community, the gallery will remain open this month (including the arts council’s final exhibit of 2025, opening Sept. 5) and classes scheduled for August are moving forward as planned.
While these first few days have been encouraging, the truth is the arts council still needs more support to carry through the fall. If the public loves the Pumpkin Glow, or if children are excited to be at the after school open studio, continued support is needed.
The arts council has met with its contacts at Los Alamos County and they have done everything that they are able to do within the confines of the contract together. This contract can be adjusted in two years, but the arts council has to weather this storm first before it can think about that process. If the community can rally together in these next few weeks, the arts council can secure the future of the arts in Los Alamos.
Read on to see how to help. Every year the arts council relies on fundraising, donations, and income off programs in its classrooms to keep this operation viable. To support the arts council, set a recurring donation. Every month, the recurring gift helps open classroom doors, light up community events, and lets the organization keep the fall events. Donate today, or go to www.
Buy tickets to upcoming events. Safos Dance Theatre performs Oct. 3, bringing stories of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands to life through contemporary dance. General admission and student tickets are on sale now. Find out more at www.
Sign up for classes, or get a class membership for September. A monthly membership was launched so parents can sign students up for every open studio & planned program for September in one click. There are teen and youth programs; five kids in each would help keep classes on the books for next month. Check out the classes, or go to https://www.
Thanks to the community’s support, the arts council is also able to execute its final exhibit of 2025 titled “Caldera Reverie” featuring work from several former and current artists in residence at Valles Caldera National Preserve. The opening reception is 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and the hope is to host the show until Oct. 3.
Become a member. Memberships are good for a full year from the date of purchase, and feature benefits in the gallery, classes, and more.Set up a donation through the LANL Employee Giving Program. LANL-TRIAD will match employees’ donations by half. First, go to the LANL homepage/LANL Inside and click Quick Links. Then, click Employee Giving followed by Make Your Gift. Type “Los Alamos Arts Council” to find us!
The community’s support is inspiring, and the arts council thanks it for all of the visits, kind words in person or over email, and the arts council wants people to know that it is here to serve the community of Los Aamos and plan to keep doing so as long as it is able. Next week, it will be sending out an update on its goals and longer term fundraising plans. Please send any questions to director@LosAlamosArtsCouncil.
LAAC is a 501c3 nonprofit operating out of the Fuller Lodge Art Center in downtown Los Alamos.
Scene from the Los Alamos Arts Council’s gallery. Courtesy/LAAC
Scene from LLAC’s recent Arts and Crafts Fair. Courtesy/LAAC