National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Architect: FMSM Design Group

Project Overview
The mission of the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico is to create a greater cross-cultural appreciation and understanding of Hispanic culture by preserving and showcasing historic and contemporary Hispanic arts, humanities and achievements over the past 400 years.

The much-anticipated $35 million National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico, which is located on 16 acres, is now a reality. The initial construction phase is complete and the Center is officially open to the public. Check the Center's website for program updates. (www.nhccnm.org)

The architectural design of the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico (NHCCNM) was created to accommodate a wealth of cultural programs developed by Center staff with the assistance of leading New Mexico Hispanic artists, educators, scholars; and business people. Many architectural features recall building styles of Spain and Latin America.

The Center presents Hispanic arts and humanities in many forms. Visual arts, drama, traditional and contemporary music, dance, literary arts, film, library research and genealogy are among the many program activities taking place at the Cultural Center.

Education is central to every program component at the Cultural Center. The Center provides unique learning opportunities from lectures and demonstrations to technology classes via the Center's computer learning classroom.
Future plans include an 81,000 sq./ft. performing arts complex including an amphitheater, an educational resource building, restaurants, broadcast and publication capabilities, gift shops, studios featuring working artists, the Rio Grande/Bosque environmental project and the re-opening of the Center's restaurant, La Fonda del Bosque.

The Center presents Hispanic arts and humanities in many forms. Visual arts, drama, traditional and contemporary music, dance, literary arts, film, culinary arts, library research, and genealogy are among the many program activities starting at the Center.

David Joiner provided audiovisual and acoustical consulting services for this facility.

When completed, the Center's Performing Arts Complex, whose striking architecture has become symbolic of the Center's programmatic vision, will include:

A 700-seat proscenium theatre
A 150-seat black box experimental theatre
A 300-seat film and video theatre
A 2,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre will provide a spacious and comfortable venue for concerts, dance performances, pageants, and more.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico's performing arts facilities are projected to open in 2002. At present, plans are underway for the initial season of programming.

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