| The city of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture has been selected for a second time to partner on the 2025 Artists At Work (AAW) initiative. This initiative, funded by the Mellon Foundation, will enable AAW to provide crucial salaried employment, benefits and other forms of support to artists across five urban centers including Albuquerque.
Locally, this opportunity will provide salaried employment for four artists for an 18-month term, from June 1, 2025, to Nov. 30, 2026, to support them in their artistic practice and in working collaboratively with community members and organizational partners to address needs in Albuquerque. Selected artists will be part of a national cohort of 24 artists across the United States.
AAW is a national workforce resilience program, in the spirit of the Works Progress Administration, that supports artists and their communities through artistic civic engagement. AAW leverages the creativity of artists to address pressing issues in their local communities—from substance abuse to youth welfare to public health, among others—and fosters new economic models of support for artists.
“We’re committed to supporting the incredible artists and creatives that shape our city’s vibrant cultural scene,” said Dr. Shelle Sanchez, director of Arts & Culture. “Partnerships like this one play a crucial role in sustaining and expanding our efforts, ensuring that arts and culture continue to thrive as a cornerstone of our community’s identity and economy.”
For more information about the program and details about this opportunity, visit AAW Albuquerque 2025 Info Packet and FAQs. Applications can also be accessed at here. Applications are due by 3 p.m. MDT on April 18, 2025.
Specifically, the new funding announced will support:
● Artist Employment: Providing the 24 artists (four per location) with salaries at a $40,000 annual rate (gross earnings totaling $60,000), fully employer-paid health benefits, and access to retirement benefits for an 18-month term.
● Professional Development & Wrap-Around Support for Artists: Offering workshops on fundraising, financial planning, budgeting, PR & marketing, and holistic well-being, along with responsive mentorship and networking opportunities.
● Artistic Civic Engagement: Facilitating artist-led public projects and initiatives aligning with local priorities such as community health disparities and climate resilience.
● Ongoing and Long-Term Evaluation: Conducting surveys, interviews, and data collection to refine program design and maximize impact.
● Field Building & Narrative Change: Engaging with arts colleagues, policymakers and local leaders to advocate for new economic policies and promote the value of artists as essential workers.
“Now more than ever, we must support creative programs that inspire our families and youth, strengthen our local economy, and bring us together,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “By supporting the arts, we’re preserving our culture and fueling innovation, opportunity and a more vibrant Albuquerque.” |
