In July, 2025 CCA partnered with ArtBridge/ArtStorming to convene arts leaders from around Santa Fe and Northern NM to address the critical need for community mobilization, partnerships and collaboration in these extremely challenging and tumultuous times. Through a series of panel discussions, brainstorming sessions, and team building exercises, CCA and ArtBridge identified needs in the community, resource opportunities, community partners and worked to literally connect and match our participants for community-based initiatives, performances and other artistic collaborations. Panels discussions were recorded for broadcast on the ArtsStorming podcast.
CCA and ArtBridge held a series of 4 panel discussions with local arts leaders exploring the significance of the arts in times of uncertainty by focusing on collaboration and community engagement in Santa Fe. The format of each evening was a panel discussion of about an hour, networking break, followed by a brief performance and, lastly, an additional panel of approximately 90 minutes. Fostering dialogue on the power of and necessity for the arts, especially now, these discussions highlighted collaborative efforts among local arts organizations, identified current barriers to collaboration, developed a list of possible resources attendees brought to the table and/or are otherwise familiar with and engaged the community in new and concrete ways. These gatherings worked to Identify innovative methods and strategies to engage communities in the arts and to foster creative participation and collaboration.
Thanks to our panelists and performers: Jaime Blosser, MADA; Lisa Keating, SF Gallery Association; Pamela Kelly, VP of Licensing & Brand Management, Museum of NM Foundation; Robyne Robinson, fiveXfive ABQ Public Art; Judy Tuwalestiwa; Matthew Chase-Daniel, Axle Contemporary; Alice Loy, Creative Start Ups; Laura Finlay Smith, Former Curator – Tia Collection; Drew Trujillo, IAIA; Jennifer Graves, Actors Lab; James Johnson, Make Santa Fe; Roger Montoya, Moving Arts Española; Dylan Tenorio, Little Globe; Elizabeth Jacobson; April Cleveland & the Exodus Ensemble; Cole Forrest, CCA; Megan Mulry, Santa Fe Literary Festival; Toccarra Thomas, Santa Fe Art Institute.
What did we learn? What are some resources available? Click below for more information:
Thanks to our generous funders for this project: City of Santa Fe Department of Arts and Culture
