Mission + Governance
MISSION STATEMENT: NMSA provides access to a rigorous mastery arts and academic high school education for youth with passion and aptitude for the arts, leading to post-secondary learning, careers in the arts, and lives that contribute to society.
Governing Council
Bill Beacham, Chair
Michael Kaplan, Vice Chair
Paula Tackett, Secretary
Doddie Espinosa de Ortega, Member
Cynthia Nava, Member
Chelamia Quintana, Member
Trina Raper, Member
NMSA is a state charter high school. It operates in accordance with the New Mexico Charter Schools Act and its charter, issued by the New Mexico State Public Education Commission. The Governing Council of the NMSA is responsible for its operations and has the power to carry out its educational mission, and holds meetings at times and places that will be posted in accordance with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.
Click here for NMSA-Charter School Governing Council Policies
Click here for NMSA-Charter School Governing Council meeting agendas and minutes
Click here for NMSA-Charter School Council Members Training Certificates and Affidavits
*Any person interested in more information about the school or the meetings of the Governing Council may contact Assistant Business Manager Gayle McGuiness at (505) 310-4194.
Board of Trustees
Carl Thoma, Chair
Pamela Saunders-Albin, Vice Chair
William Miller, Treasurer
Cynthia Nava, Secretary
The NMSA – Art Institute is a nonprofit arts educational institution. It operates in accordance with the purposes set forth in its Articles of Incorporation and the New Mexico Nonprofit Corporation Act. The Board of Trustees is responsible for its operations and has the power to carry out its educational mission.
Laurie B. Arnold
Stephen Arnold
David Ater
Ian Brownlow
Valerie Diker
Natalie Fitz-Gerald
Charlotte Hetherington
James Hindman
Vince Kadlubek
Dee Ann McIntyre
Deborah Potter
Rose B. Simpson
Mary Sloane
Nick Telles
Elmer Torres
Garrett Thornburg
Jill Cooper Udall
Madeleine Wright
Mary Beth Yates
Trustees Emeriti: Catherine Oppenheimer (Chair Emeritus and Co-Founder), Ned Bennett, Lee Berk, and Edwina Milner
Equity Council 2023-2024
Our equity council members represent all student groups including students with disabilities, Native Americans, English learners, the economically disadvantaged, African Americans, Asian Pacific, and LGBTQ+. Members include students, families, school leadership, teaching staff, and community members.
Liza Stewart
Jolene Vigil
Eric Crites
Shani Harvie
Doddie Espinosa de Ortega
Suzanne Teng
Sabrina Cook
Phillip Lopez
Rafa Tarin
Marangellie Trujillo
Roan Lucero
Gibraltar ‘G’ Farrell
Their goal this year is to examine NMSA’s hiring process and make suggestions on improving equitable practice. They will also be examining curriculum content and making suggestions for culturally and linguistically responsive material.