portrait of Marisa SageA Letter from the Director

The University Art Museum (UAM) exists within the Borderland region on the campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU), a complex environment spawning innovation, experimentation, and learning. This geographical context creates a unique role for the UAM since it is comprised of an audience with numerous cultural influences. In February of 2019, the UAM underwent a tremendous transformation supported by NMSU and the State of New Mexico when it opened it's new museum in Devasthali Hall, a 55,000 sqft., 21st century, Visual Arts building named after donors Drs. Rama and Ammu Devasthali, housing both the NMSU Department of Art and the University Art Museum. Since then, the UAM has created a visionary three-year strategic plan. 

Shaped through collaborative sessions with NMSU leaders, staff, students, community partners, educators, and artists from local to across the United States, this Plan champions amplifying connections among our beloved artists, students, and communities, unveiling
diverse viewpoints, and charting important objectives for our Museum. Embracing restructured
timelines, the plan allocates more time for significant research and innovative production of bold
projects with artists. 

With this Plan, the UAM is poised to enhance engagement, diversify financial strategies, fortify operational infrastructure, and advance collection stewardship and research. This strategic roadmap positions the UAM not only as a leading institution in the region but also as a model museum for university students in the arts, bolstering our dedication to the creation ofeffective collaborations and reinforcing our commitment to hiring, training, and retaining arts professionals in New Mexico. At the heart of this passionate document is our mission, vision, values, and guiding principles, manifesting a responsibility for creating a more inclusive and equitable arts ecosystem. This document serves as our guide in supporting marginalized artists and audiences. To accomplish this vision, the UAM focuses on operational improvements and sustainability, ensuring artists, researchers, and community members can access the NMSU Permanent Art Collection, increasing staff satisfaction and joy, elevating research tied to our programming, and reinforcing the UAM's vital role as a bridge between the community and the University.

This process underscores our dedication to being a dynamic place of learning, where trust is built with our communities to ask new questions and explore new ideas. Through this Plan, we strive to maintain the highest standards in teaching, learning, and scholarship, expanding campus partnerships beyond expectations, and nurturing the next generation of museum professionals. This Plan draws from the UAM's history and a decade of experiments challenging traditional art museum models. It extends the UAM's role as a safe space and cultural hub, reflecting an unwavering 


 ● Vision:

The University Art Museum envisions a world where art, artists, and creative expression are integral to a holistic understanding of an equitable society


● Mission:

The New Mexico State University Art Museum intersects art, research, and community engaged practices to reimagine the power of our place


● Values:
The University Art Museum of NMSU staff value:
• Our place within the University, Las Cruces, and the Borderlands
• Inclusion and diversity of people, cultures, and identities
• Representation and support of marginalized artists
• Unexpected experiences with art, artists, and contemporary issues
• Mobility for every NMSU student on their educational journey
• Intentionality, compassion, and joy in our work
• Public access to explore and learn about our collections
• Mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships
• Courage and informed risk-taking
• Ethically and financially sustainable operations

Please read the UAM policies on Diversity & Equity here. 


● Guiding Principles:

These Guiding Principles advance the UAM mission all year-long. The UAM Staff:
Leads with compassion and intentionality by:

  • Entrusting artists to express their vision and interpretation of contemporary realities
  • Designing public engagement experiences incorporating the realities and hopes of our communities

Elevates the arts in research and curriculum within NMSU by:

  • Enhancing the student educational experience with exposure to NMSU Permanent Art Collection and artists
  • Providing opportunities for students to become artists and museum professionals

Supports NMSU commitment to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion by:

  • Addressing diversity and accessibility as we plan, develop, and implement our work
  • Undertaking ongoing reflection and training to increase our sensitivity and awareness

Commits to advancing the work of marginalized artists and lessening the obstacles they face in an inequitable society by:

  • Supporting them through the creation of their work and producing exhibitions that reflect their visions
  • Undertaking the research, exhibition development, and acquisition of their work

Serves as a bridge to our community by:

  • Offering dynamic programs, exhibitions, and art that are timely, accessible, and engaging
  • Welcoming all to experience emerging and established artists from here and across the world

Builds capacity in sustainable ways by:

  • Ensuring we have the resources and staff to undertake significant projects
  • Supporting the well-being and professional growth of our staff and student interns

Embodies innovative and responsible museum operations by:

  • Implementing nationally recognized museum standards and best practices
  • Collecting what we can properly steward

Upholds financial responsibilities and accountability by:

  • Leveraging resources to maximize impact of programming for our greater community
  • Growing at a rate we can sustain

To contact me with any questions of comments, please call 575/646-2545 or email  misage@nmsu.edu. Please, sign up for our mailing list to find out more about our upcoming programming. I look forward to seeing you at our exhibitions and events.

Sincerely,

Marisa Sage
Director
University Art Museum
New Mexico State University

The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, unless otherwise noted for events.