Support UNM's vibrant Fine Arts community!

UNM College of Fine Arts

Fine Arts are not just important to us here at UNM, it’s part of us. We teach it, create it, and embrace it. It shapes our identity and even drives our economy. Whether it’s cast or woven, printed or painted, disruptive, experimental, theoretical or visionary, we have an insatiable love and deep respect for the artist and their practice.

During UNM Big Give, we are focusing on student scholarship and opportunities you may not know about. Specifically, we’d like to ask you to consider the Art & Ecology program, Arts Leadership and Business, the Art Museum Student Opportunity Fund, Tamarind Institute, and of course, the Dean’s Fund. If you would like to support any other area within the College of Fine Arts, please visit https://finearts.unm.edu/give-to-cfa/, or contact shelly.smith@unmfund.org or kristine.purrington@unmfund.org.

The Dean’s Fund is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen the College of Fine Arts. Your support provides flexible resources that allow the dean to respond quickly to emerging needs, invest in innovative programs, and create meaningful opportunities for students and faculty. From scholarships and guest artist residencies to equipment upgrades and international performance travel, the Dean’s Fund fuels the experiences that shape creative lives. A gift to this fund ensures our artists, performers, and scholars have what they need to thrive—today and in the future—while keeping UNM’s arts community vibrant, ambitious, and accessible. More information about the College of Fine Arts available at https://finearts.unm.edu/.

Support Theatre Students Take Performance to China - The UNM Department of Theatre & Dance is embarking on an extraordinary journey to China, where our students will present a fully staged production as part of an international cultural exchange. This invitation places UNM among a select group of universities recognized for artistic excellence and innovative storytelling. Over the course of the trip, our ensemble will rehearse, collaborate with Chinese theatre students, and perform for audiences eager to experience new voices in contemporary American theatre.

For many of our students, this will be their first time traveling abroad and their first opportunity to share their craft on a global stage. The play they are presenting highlights the power of imagination, resilience, and human connection, themes that resonate across cultures. This experience will shape their artistic lives for years to come. Support for this trip helps cover travel, lodging, meals, and production needs, ensuring every student can participate fully.

Read about last year’s festival: https://finearts.unm.edu/unm-department-of-theatre-and-dance-to-represent-the-us-in-international-theatre-festival-beijing-china/

Support Students in The UNM Wind Symphony to Perform in Rio de Janeiro - The UNM Wind Symphony has been invited to perform at the 2026 WASBE Conference in Rio de Janeiro—one of the most prestigious honors an ensemble can receive. In July 2026, Dr. Emily Moss will lead 50 student musicians on a 5–7‑day tour of Brazil, sharing their artistry in multiple performances throughout the region. For many students, this will be their first time traveling abroad and an extraordinary opportunity to represent UNM on an international stage.

We are seeking support to help cover essential travel costs, including airfare, lodging, meals, and transportation. Your generosity will make it possible for every deserving student to participate fully in this once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience.

The nationally acclaimed UNM Wind Symphony brings together the university’s most talented wind, brass, and percussion students, preparing the next generation of performers and music educators. Your gift ensures they can share their excellence with the world.

More info: https://impactunm.unmfund.org/s/1959/22/interior.aspx?sid=1959&gid=2&pgid=1413

Level the Playing Field for Film Students Completing Their Capstone Projects - Film & Digital Arts capstone projects are student-led short films that serve as each filmmaker’s senior thesis and creative calling card. Students write, direct, and produce their own 10–20 minute films while assembling a full student cast and crew, taking on real responsibility for every aspect of the process - from development and production through post-production and completion. A finished capstone film becomes a student’s first professional calling card - opening doors to festivals, jobs, and future creative opportunities.

Donor support helps students turn ambitious ideas into finished films by covering essential production costs and giving them the freedom to take creative risks. These capstone projects are where students stop being film students and start becoming filmmakers, graduating with completed work that reflects their voice, talent, and readiness for the professional world.
Learn more about Film & Digital Arts at https://film.unm.edu/.

Image Caption: Marisa Demarco, Dylan McLaughlin, Jessica Zeglin, There Must Be Other Names for the River (2021-ongoing).

Student Enrichment Funds for Art, Art History and Art Education Students - Support for Art Department students is essential to their creative and professional development. Funding helps them travel to conferences, exhibitions, and residencies where they can share their work, learn from diverse artistic communities, and build vital networks. These resources also cover materials, studio supplies, portfolio production, and entry fees that allow students to participate fully in juried shows and national competitions. Many would not have access to these transformative opportunities without donor support. Your generosity ensures our emerging artists can experiment boldly, present their work confidently, and gain the real‑world experience that shapes their future careers. Learn more about the Art Department at https://art.unm.edu/.