NAVIGATION

We still have spots available for the 2026/2027 School Year!

Spaces are available in:

9th Grade — Cinematic Arts, Creative Writing & Literature, Dance, and Music

10th Grade — Cinematic Arts, Creative Writing & Literature, Dance, Music, and Theatre

12th Grade — Dance and Music

 
Visit our Admissions page to learn more and apply!
Apply by September 14, 2026!

The Art of NMSA

Dance

Visual Arts

Music

Creative Writing

Theatre

Cinematic Arts

New Mexico School for the Arts Campus

Welcome To New Mexico School for the Arts

The New Mexico School for the Arts is a public, statewide high school that serves young artists with a rigorous, award-winning arts training and academic program.

NMSA helps students cultivate their own artistic voice, fostering broad intellectual development, so that in addition to developing strong technique, students will begin to refine their personal artistic vision and purpose, and the means to communicate that vision through their art.

Upcoming Events

New Mexico School for the Arts and New Mexico School for the Arts-Art Institute extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for their unwavering support and encouragement. Thank you to our parents, friends, donors, partners, and the State of New Mexico. Your generosity and commitment enable us to continue providing exceptional dual curriculum education in rigorous academics and mastery arts programs, fostering creativity and academic excellence for students from over 40 communities and Pueblos across New Mexico. Together, we are shaping the future of young artists and scholars, making a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of our state.

View our generous supporters by accessing our New Mexico School for the Arts-Art Institute donor list.

Recent Blog Posts

Possible Quorum of the Governing Council Members

There could be a possible quorum of the Governing Council members at the Oct 8th, 2026 Circle of the Arts performance at the school. They will not...

NMSA-Art Institute Celebrates Grand Opening of New State-of-the-Art Guitar Studio

On Thursday, August 27th, 2026, New Mexico School for the Arts-Art Institute proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new Guitar Studio, marking...

Two Former NMSA Students- Semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Competition

Two former NMSA students are semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Competition! Raya Cathey and Jasper Lee received this honor...

Join us for “Decidedly Not a Fall Reading”

Join us on Thursday, September 24th, for the first Creative Writing & Literature department reading: "Decidedly Not a Fall Reading." Students...

NMSA’s Visual Arts Department Presents: “All for One”

“All for One”Exhibition Opens Friday, September 18, 5-7 pm, runs through Thursday, October 15, 2026 Each year in early Fall, the Visual Arts...

Guest Artist Program

New Perspectives to Fuel Creativity, Experimentation, and Imagination

NMSA’s Guest Artist Program is a critical piece of the curricula and central to the mission of the school. It augments students’ technical skills, provides mentorship, and brings the profession to life, allowing students to see how their skills can ultimately be applied in a real world setting.

Curtis Tawlst Santiago

SITE Santa Fe Guest Artist

Dario Robleto

Transdisciplinary Artist, Researcher, Writer, Teacher

Ingela Onstad

Stage Fright Workshop

Tony O'Brien

Photographer

Julian Sands

Performance Santa Fe Audition Masterclass

Nadeeya GK

International Master Teacher

Rick Yoshimoto

Axle Contemporary Guest Artist

Kerry Ginger

Fort Lewis College

Jami Porter Lara

Ceramic Artist

Rahim AlHaj

GRAMMY Award Nominated Oudist

Suki Schorer

School of American Ballet Balanchine Master Teacher

Kathleen McCloud

Axle Contemporary Guest Artist

Lucrecia Troncoso

Micaceous Clay / Sculpture

Jodi Melnick

Multi Award-winning Dancer/ Choreographer

Earl McBride

Painter

Judith McCloud

Northern Arizona University

June Ballinger

Actor / Producer

Javier Gonzales

La Sierra University

Robyn Mineko Williams

Choreographer

Debbie & Charlie Carillo

Micaceous Clay Artists

Alejandra Avila

NMSA Alumna ’14

Deborah Brevoort

Playwriting Masterclass, author of the Woman of Lockerbie

Brandon Gunn

Education Director, UNM Tamarind Press Institute

Maria Schneider

GRAMMY Award-winning Composer & Arranger / Bandleader

Points of Pride

New Mexico School for the Arts fosters a culture of respect to self, others, and the community at-large. We have created an education that supports the whole student: as an artist, a scholar, and a citizen. Our reach is statewide; students from across New Mexico are positively impacted by our programs.

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Retention Rate

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Graduation Rate

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College Acceptance

US Dept of Education National Blue Ribbon School

In 2016, NMSA was designated by the United States Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School

One of Edutopia's
“Schools that Work”

NMSA has been recognized by Edutopia (George Lucas Educational Foundation) as one of their “Schools that Work.”

NMSA is a Digital Promise “Case Study” School

Digital Promise is a national center created by the United States Congress to advance technologies that transform teaching and learning.

Higher than Average
SAT Scores

NMSA’s average composite SAT score is 14% higher than the state average.

“My time here has been invaluable. As I prepare to attend Juilliard, I know the rigor and support I’ve received at NMSA have given me the discipline I need to continue to grow.”

Hugo Pizano ’17
NMSA Alumnus

“The college preparation steps that NMSA takes even as early as 9th grade surprised us – it’s clear they take the advancement of these students very seriously and have established the infrastructure to back it up.”

Merridith Ingram
NMSA Parent

Where Passion Leads to Extraordinary Results

We believe a student’s passion for the arts can propel them to success in every aspect of life. We are committed to fostering that success by providing a strong foundation for artistic and academic growth in an inclusive and challenging environment that encourages exploration, expands imagination and cultivates creativity.

If you believe in the power of the arts, and want to support young artists, please consider giving to our arts program so we can continue to help students thrive!