The Moreno Valley Arts Council (MVAC) is collaborating with artisans to create a guide with maps featuring rural arts destinations in Northern New Mexico. The guide will increase awareness of and bring the market to New Mexico‟s rich and exciting variety of artists, historic buildings used as art spaces, galleries, cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations. We hope to invite visitors to the places where rural artists create, nurture and display handcrafted work, thereby increasing income opportunities for all Northern New Mexicans who work in or with the arts and bringing economic activity to artists‟ communities.
We seek rural artists and craftspeople to include on the maps. We want to add places where art traditions and techniques are taught and demonstrated. Galleries and cooperatives are also welcome.
The guide will delineate a number of rural arts loop trails, which will direct the traveler to studios, coops, galleries, and shops along each route. It will be distributed at state visitors‟ centers and chambers of commerce in all regions of the state; through New Mexico Arts, the New Mexico Tourism Department and the New Mexico Economic Development Department; on websites; at participating businesses; and by regional volunteers. Out of state marketing will depend upon the available budget.
The arts trails project to put New Mexico artists on the map ands bring the market to them is made possible by recurring special appropriations for which we may apply annually, from the state Legislature and, and is part of the governor‟s economic development initiatives for rural New Mexico. As such, funding for the arts trails is targeted at rural New Mexico communities. Additional funding will be sought from Lodger‟s Tax in various communities and private and foundation funding. Additionally, Annual dues for member participation will apply, however we will take great care to keep participation accessible.
We hope that participants will consider including demonstrations, hands-on learning, and other educational experiences. We also hope that you will think about ways that you can collaborate - i.e. by including handmade items in co-ops or including other artists in your studios.
Site locations of the arts trails are limited. Not everyone will have an appropriate situation to welcome visitors to their own site. A site that is open to the public involves time, financial and emotional commitments. Please consider cooperating with other artists or marketing your work through galleries, cooperatives, art centers, art/co-ops, markets and other multi-artist arts trails sites.
MVAC will ensure distribution of the maps with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Economic Development Department, and Tourism Department. We also encourage artists and businesses to distribute maps in public settings in your local area such as hotels and bookstores, and to have maps on hand at your site.
Studio: Maximum of two artists. Fee includes a “family” MVAC membership $35.00
Gallery: Minimum of three artists. Fee includes one single MVAC membership $45.00
Members are eligible for discounts on show fees for shows/exhibits presented by the MVAC
Make Checks payable to the Moreno Valley Arts Council and specify "Artistic Vistas" in the memo line. Include the check with other required information and the application. *If you were previously approved for participation in the 3Ts Trail, you do not need to apply again, but only pay the fee.