Española, New Mexico
2020-2022

Moving Arts Española

In 2020, the Thoma Foundation awarded Moving Arts Española a $100,000 matching grant to expand services and programming for older teens by creating additional space within their existing campus. This expansion will build on MAE’s impressive track record of serving the area’s young people by creating age-appropriate access to digital arts and media education for older teens and new pipelines to college and careers.

Services and Programming:

Moving Arts Española (MAE) provides high quality, affordable performing and visual arts education and free nutritional and academic support for children and youth ages 3-18. Their programs promote the creative, physical, academic, social and emotional health and well being of children and youth from the Española Valley and the surrounding communities of Northern New Mexico. MAE believes that all children and youth deserve to have access to a superior arts education and the nutritional and academic support that they need in order to succeed and thrive.  

Community Served:

Children and youth from the Española Valley and the surrounding communities of Northern New Mexico, including the city of Española; the Pueblos of Pojoaque, Santa Clara, and Ohkay Owingeh; and the villages and towns of rural Rio Arriba County, including: Abiquiu, Alcalde, Cañones, Chamita, Chili, Chimayo, Dixon, El Duende, El Guique, El Rito, Embudo, Gallina, Hernandez, La Madera, La Mesilla, La Villita, Lyden, Medanales, Ojo Caliente, Ojo Sarco, Santa Cruz, Tierra Amarilla, Truchas, and Velarde.

In the News:

Santa Fe Reporter: Cover Story on Founder Roger Montoya

Hyperallergic: Youth Arts Education Means Building a More Resilient Community

CNN: Roger Montoya named in CNN HEROES TOP 10

Why We Partnered with Moving Arts Española: 

  • Meaningful programming that honors holistic childhood development by nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the arts
  • Highly respected leadership who leverage their local and international visibility to create lasting change 
  • Financially sustainable operations and impressive fundraising track record
  • Functions as a hub for other nonprofits in the region
  • Deeply embedded in and responsive to the local community