New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs make requests to keep up state-run historic sites, museums

Adrian Gomez, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·2 min read

Jan. 15—As the New Mexico Legislature kicks off for a 30-day session, the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs will also be asking for funds.

The DCA 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.

The DCA's General Fund Operating Budget Expansion request include:

—$520,000 — Taylor Mesilla Historic Site Operations. The request is to hire seven full-time employees — including three rangers, three customer services representatives, one instructional coordinator, as well as contractual support and operational costs.

—$370,000 for the Office of Archaeological Studies General Fund. The request is for three full-time employees — including two archaeologists, one instructional coordinator, as well as contractual support and operational costs.

—$400,000 for landscaping services statewide, which would encompass all of the museums and historic sites.

—$100,000 — Continuing Education Coordinator at New Mexico State Library would be for a full-time librarian.

—$125,000 — New Mexico Music Commission (an administratively attached agency). The request would be for a part-time employee, as well as contractual support.

The department also has nonrecurring special appropriation requests.

—$10 million for the Rural Library Endowment.

—$300,000 for economic development at Los Luceros Historic Site.

—$425,000 for Cybersecurity Upgrades & Compliance, which would include training, policy development, consultations, and equipment upgrades to comply with National Institute of Standards & Technology Cybersecurity Framework.

—$300,000 for enhanced collections databases, which would enhance stewardship of collections by documenting, photographing, and inventorying objects in collection databases. Contractual support at eight museums ($35,000/museum) plus $20,000 additional for Taylor Mesilla collection.

—$300,000 for statewide outreach for Zozobra centennial, which would go towards educational programming to include exhibition, children's activities, documentary film, musical, and publication of a book.

Sen. Nancy Rodriguez, D-Santa Fe, and Rep.Joy Garratt, D-Bernalillo, have introduced House Bill 29, which would appropriate $5 million to the cultural affairs facilities infrastructure fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2025 and subsequent fiscal years to carry out the purposes of the fund.