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For centuries, New Mexico has been a mecca where many and varied cultures have lived side by side, sharing and celebrating their cultural differences. The result — a lush, refreshing texture of styles and designs on the joyful business of living.
Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs represents New Mexico’s dedication to preserving and celebrating the cultural integrity and diversity of our state. The Department oversees a broad range of New Mexico’s arts and cultural heritage agencies. These include 15 divisions representing a variety of programs and services.
Among its primary functions is the management of the largest state sponsored museum system in the country. New Mexico’s historic sites and state-run museums are located across the state and include:
New Mexico Historic Sites, Statewide
New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe
New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe
Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe
New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Las Cruces
National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque
Additional divisions of the Department support the unique cultural, historic, and artistic heritage of the state as well as the operations of the Department:
New Mexico State Library
New Mexico Arts
Office of Archaeological Studies
Historic Preservation Division
Museum Resources Division, and
Administrative Services Division
The Department is directed by the Secretary, who is appointed by the Governor. The agency has some 500 employees spread throughout its 15 divisions, with another 1,000 or so volunteers putting in more than 70,000 hours annually. The annual budget is approximately $45 million.
Each year, more than $2 million goes directly to New Mexico’s cultural activities — individuals and organizations — in order to assist with funding arts and cultural programs. The Department’s museums welcome nearly a million visitors each year. More than three million New Mexico residents and their out-of-state guests are served yearly by Cultural Affairs Department programs and services.
