Santa Fe Arts & Culture
Artists and other creative individuals have been drawn to Santa Fe for more than a century and have had an immeasurable impact on the culture here. Life in Santa Fe today is about many things: spicy food, breathtaking sunsets, and mountain views but also a wide variety of arts and culture. Several world-class museums, more than 200 galleries, jazz, opera, ballet, and flamenco are among many of the attractions Santa Fe has to offer.
Visit the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors’ Bureau’s web site for additional information on activities and attractions in Santa Fe.
Museums | Galleries | Performing Arts
Center for Contemporary Arts
1050 Old Pecos Trail
505.982.1338
www.ccasantafe.org
This nonprofit arts organization presents the work of emerging and established contemporary artists in a variety of media, including installation, film, video, new music, literature, and spoken word performance. The facility includes more than 5,000 square feet of exhibition space and plus a 140-seat cinema.
El Rancho de las Golondrinas
334 Los Pinos Road
505.471.2261
www.golondrinas.org
This historic 200-acre ranch, now a living history museum, dates back to the early 1700s and was once a stop along the famous Camino Real. Spanish Colonial and Territorial history comes to life here, just outside of Santa Fe, with docents in period dress, period buildings, and hands-on demonstrations.
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Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
217 Johnson Street
505.946.1000
www.okeeffemuseum.org
Undoubtedly one of the most important museums in the United States, this 13,000-square-foot building houses the works of one of the 20th century’s most important artists. Changing exhibitions highlight the museum’s focus on American Modernism. The adjacent O'Keeffe Café is open for lunch and dinner.
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Institute of American Indian Arts Museum
108 Cathedral Place
505.983.8900
www.iaiancad.org
The Institute of American Indian Arts Museum is the only museum in the United States devoted solely to the exhibition of contemporary American Indian art forms. For more than 30 years, the exhibitions here have been dedicated to the creative pursuits of contemporary Native artists. Ongoing and changing exhibitions feature paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry, and beadwork from a diverse range of artists.
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Museum of Fine Arts
107 Palace Avenue
505.476.5072
www.mfasantafe.org
For more than 85 years, the Museum of Fine Arts, located just west of the Plaza, has collected and exhibited work by artists from New Mexico and around the world. The extensive permanent collection includes pieces by several noteworthy Southwestern artists, including Georgia O'Keeffe, and new exhibitions of works by contemporary artists. The 450-seat Saint Francis Auditorium is one of Santa Fe's premier performance halls.
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Museum of Indian Arts and Culture
710 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill
505.476.1250
www.miaclab.org
The art and material culture of the Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, and other indigenous people of the Southwest are the focus at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. Collections and exhibitions include classic and contemporary paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, basketry, and weaving.
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Museum of International Folk Art
706 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill
505.476.1200
www.internationalfolkart.org
This museum is home to the world’s largest collection of folk art. More than 135,000 artifacts are exhibited in four wings: Girard (folk art, popular art, toys, and textiles from more than 100 nations), Bartlett (two galleries offering rotating exhibitions), Hispanic Heritage (hide paintings, tinwork, furniture, jewelry, straw appliqué, horse gear, weavings, santos, bultos, and retablos), and Neutrogena (textiles and garments).
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Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
750 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill
505.982.2226
www.spanishcolonial.org
The collection of the Spanish Colonial Arts Society is the most comprehensive compilation of Spanish Colonial art of its kind, containing more than 3,000 objects from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Santos, textiles, tinwork, silverwork, goldwork, ironwork, straw appliqué, ceramics, furniture, and books are among the items on display.
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Palace of the Governors
100 Palace Avenue
505.476.5100
www.palaceofthegovernors.org
The Palace of the Governors, constructed in 1610 by the Spanish, is the nation's oldest public building still in continuous use. A registered National Historic Landmark, the museum includes exhibits, collections, and archives that reflect the Spanish colonial, Mexican, U.S. Territorial, and statehood periods. The Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, also part of the Palace of the Governors, is a noncirculating research facility. American Indian artists sell their wares under the building’s historic portal as part of the Native American Vendors Program.
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Santa Fe Children's Museum
1050 Old Pecos Trail
505.989.8359
www.santafechildrensmuseum.org
The interactive programs and exhibits of this thoughtful museum—including a beautiful outdoor area—will both educate kids and keep them entertained. Open-ended discovery and problem solving are encouraged.
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SITE Santa Fe
1606 Paseo De Peralta
505.989.1199
www.sitesantafe.org
SITE Santa Fe is a private, not-for-profit contemporary arts organization committed to enriching the cultural atmosphere in Santa Fe by providing a venue for regional, national, and international exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs.
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Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
704 Camino Lejo, Museum Hill
505.982.4636
www.wheelwright.org
The Wheelwright hosts changing exhibitions of contemporary and historic Native American art, with an emphasis on artists from the Southwest. The building is based on a traditional Navajo Hogan
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Santa Fe is the third-largest art market in the nation, home to approximately 250 galleries displaying arts of all types, from historic to contemporary. Friday nights are famous for gallery openings, which bring hundreds of people together in Santa Fe’s gallery-lined streets. Click here for a list of galleries in the area.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
505.983.5591
www.aspensantafeballet.com
Founded in 1990, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is a nationally recognized professional dance company. The group’s 10 classically trained dancers perform an eclectic repertoire by some of the world’s foremost choreographers every year.
Greer Garson Theater Center
505.473.6511
This 500-seat theater at the College of Santa Fe features four major productions by the college’s performing arts department. The center also houses the 100-seat Weckesser Studio Theater, site of numerous musical concerts.
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Lensic Performing Arts Center
505.988.1234
www.lensic.com
In the heart of downtown, the historic Lensic is Santa Fe’s premier year-round performing arts center: a state-of-the art venue for theater, music, dance, film, lectures, and community events.
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Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco
505.955.8562
www.mariabenitez.com
Internationally acclaimed performer and choreographer Maria Benitez—in her quest to preserve and strengthen the rich Spanish heritage of New Mexican music, dance, and visual arts—presents some of the most exciting and finest Flamenco artists from Spain and the United States.
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National Dance Institute of New Mexico
505 983.7646
www.ndi-nm.org
The purpose of the National Dance Institute of New Mexico’s distinctive dance programs is to help children develop discipline, a standard of excellence, and a belief in themselves that will carry over into all aspects of their lives.
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The New Mexico Jazz Festival
505.268.0044
www.outpostspace.org
As part of this collaborative project, more than a dozen performances take place over ten days in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
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Sangre de Cristo Chorale
505.662.9717
www.sdc-chorale.org
Performing in Northern New Mexico area since 1979, this 35-singer volunteer chorale performs baroque, renaissance, contemporary, folk, spiritual, and popular music.
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Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival
888.221.9836 or 505.983.2075
www.sfcmf.org
One of the world’s preeminent music festivals, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1972. Every year, thousands of patrons flock to enjoy the performances of distinguished musicians and emerging young talent at more than 80 concerts, recitals, master classes, youth concerts, and open rehearsals.
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Santa Fe Desert Chorale
505.988.2282
www.desertchorale.org
Recognized as one of the finest professional choral ensembles in the United States, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale is known for its moving performances in some of Santa Fe’s most beautiful and historic sites.
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Santa Fe Opera
800.280.4654 or 505.986.5900
www.santafeopera.org
The Santa Fe Opera is internationally renowned for its open-air theater—located on a mesa seven miles north of town—and for outstanding performances of both old and new operas. Audiences face west, allowing them to simultaneously enjoy the natural surroundings; performances begin around sunset, giving opera-goers the opportunity to take advantage of New Mexico sunsets and the tradition of tailgate dining.
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Santa Fe Playhouse
505.988.4262
www.santafeplayhouse.org
Celebrating and preserving the richness of the Anglo, Native American, and Spanish cultures of Santa Fe through live theatre is the goal of the Santa Fe Playhouse. The oldest continuously running theater west of the Mississippi, the playhouse produces works by new playwrights and offers first-time performers the chance to be on stage with seasoned actors.
Each season offers comedies, dramas and musicals.
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Santa Fe Pro Musica
505.988.4640
www.santafepromusica.com
Founded in 1980, Santa Fe Pro Musica is an organization that aims to further the understanding and appreciation of music through performances (primarily chamber orchestra and ensemble concerts), demonstrations, workshops and instruction.
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Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra
505.983.3530
www.santafesymphony.org
This wonderful full orchestra and chorus presents a number of concerts, special events, and concerts with other regional symphonies.
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Santa Fe Women's Ensemble
505.954.4922
www.sfwe.org
This unique women's choir provides exceptional performances of choral music for women's voices, presenting innovative and inspiring music from all centuries.
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Theater Grottesco
505.474.8400, tickets: 505.988.4262
www.theatergrottesco.org
Theater Grottesco, one of America's leading dramatic ensembles, strives to create new theater that is unpredictable, visual, and thought-provoking.
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Theaterwork
505.471.1799
www.theaterwork.org
A year round regional theater company is an essential resource to people with a lively interest in theater, poetry, storytelling, music, dance and public celebrations. Theaterwork presents seven productions a year, including new works by regional playwrights, and a full range of programming, workshops, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
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