Admissions Overview
Apply for the 2026/2027 School Year!
At New Mexico School for the Arts, students will have access to an award-winning, professional arts and academic program. We are excited that you are interested in joining our dynamic, driven, and creative community!
The priority deadline for applications is January 31st for the following school year.
We accept applications year round! Availability is subject to change based on the applicant’s grade and department of interest.
Admissions Overview
Apply for the 2026/2027 School Year!
At New Mexico School for the Arts, students will have access to an award-winning, professional arts and academic program. We are excited that you are interested in joining our dynamic, driven, and creative community!
New Mexico School for the Arts
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, our diverse student body comes from over 55 different communities, Nations, Tribes, and Pueblos. NMSA offers a free on-campus Residential Program available for students living at least 65 miles from our campus!
New Mexico’s Only Tuition Free, Statewide, Public Arts High School
Tuition Free
Tuition Free:
- NMSA is 100% tuition free
- NMSA offers a FREE residential program for students 65+ miles from campus
Public School
Public School
- NMSA is a public charter high school serving grades 9-12
- Anyone can attend by applying and being accepted through our Placement Workshop Process
Statewide
Statewide:
- NMSA students come from over 55 communities, Nations, Tribes, and Pueblos from across the state of New Mexico.
- If you reside in New Mexico, are entering grades 9-12, and are looking for rigorous academics and a mastery arts education–NMSA could be the right fit for you!
Admissions: What Do I Need to Know?
Admissions: What Do I Need to Know?
Applying to New Mexico School for the Arts is completed in 4 simple steps!
1) Apply
Students will apply for up to two art departments. We do not accept essays, portfolios, or letters of recommendation. We do not consider previous academic or arts experience.
2) Confirm
After applying, you will receive a date for a Placement Workshop. This is what is used to consider a student for admission. You will receive details about this closer to the date of the workshop.
For more information about the workshops, check our FAQ!
3) Attend your Placement Workshop
The workshops are held on NMSA campus. These workshops are generally 3 hours long, and are in the art department the student has applied for. If you applied for two departments, you will attend two workshops.
4) Results
For the priority deadline, students will receive the results of their workshops at the end of February. Students are either accepted, waitlisted*, or declined.
There will be important details in this email to confirm your acceptance!
*We honor our waitlist for the entirety of the school year. Students who are waitlisted at the beginning of the year may be invited to attend later in the year should a space become available.
Non-discrimination Policy
NMSA admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, culture, and religion or with any disability to all of the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to its students. NMSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, culture, disability, and religion in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, arts and other programs.
Have Questions, Get in Touch
If you have questions, no problem! You can visit our Admissions FAQ page, which answers many common questions. If you can’t find your answer on the FAQ page, fill out our Admissions Question form using the “I Have a Question” button and a member of our admissions team will reach out to you shortly.
Placement Workshops
NMSA uses an instructional and evaluative Placement Workshop to consider potential students for admission. These workshops are specifically designed to provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate their Passion, Promise, and Aptitude in the art discipline they are applying for. Once you submit your application, our Admissions department will be in communication with you to schedule your Placement Workshop.
Application Help
Contact our admissions team if you need assistance to complete the online application. We are happy to help!
Contact Admissions
Contact Admissions
505.310.4194, ext 112 | 505.629.9245
Admissions: What Do I Need to Know?
Admissions: What Do I Need to Know?
Applying to New Mexico School for the Arts is completed in 4 simple steps!
1) Apply
Students will apply for up to two art departments. We do not accept essays, portfolios, or letters of recommendation. We do not consider previous academic or arts experience.
2) Confirm
After applying, you will receive a date for a Placement Workshop. This is what is used to consider a student for admission. You will receive details about this closer to the date of the workshop.
For more information about the workshops, check our FAQ!
3) Attend your Placement Workshop
The workshops are held on NMSA campus. These workshops are generally 3 hours long, and are in the art department the student has applied for. If you applied for two departments, you will attend two workshops.
4) Results
For the priority deadline, students will receive the results of their workshops at the end of February. Students are either accepted, waitlisted*, or declined.
There will be important details in this email to confirm your acceptance!
*We honor our waitlist for the entirety of the school year. Students who are waitlisted at the beginning of the year may be invited to attend later in the year should a space become available.
Non-discrimination Policy
NMSA admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, culture, and religion or with any disability to all of the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to its students. NMSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, sexual preference, culture, disability, and religion in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, arts and other programs.
Placement Workshops
NMSA uses an instructional and evaluative Placement Workshop to consider potential students for admission. These workshops are specifically designed to provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate their Passion, Promise, and Aptitude in the art discipline they are applying for. Once you submit your application, our Admissions department will be in communication with you to schedule your Placement Workshop.
Application Help
Contact our admissions team if you need assistance to complete the online application. We are happy to help!
Contact Admissions
Contact Admissions
505.310.4194, ext 112 | 505.629.9245
Have Questions, Get in Touch
If you have questions, no problem! You can visit our Admissions FAQ page, which answers many common questions. If you can’t find your answer on the FAQ page, fill out our Admissions Question form using the “I Have a Question” button and a member of our admissions team will reach out to you shortly.
Useful Info About NMSA
Residential Program
NMSA now offers both seven and five day residential models!
NMSA actively seeks statewide representation in its student body – and to assist with this, we offer on campus dormitories through our residential program.
Each year NMSA welcomes talented young artists from diverse communities and Pueblos across New Mexico to our new onsite residential building, which operates free of charge thanks to state funding.
NMSA’s residential program provides access to our arts and academics programs for students who cannot commute daily.
All prospective students must be residents of the state of New Mexico and be able to prove residency through utility bills or other documentation prior to their application.
NMSA's Art Departments
NMSA has six art departments: Creative Writing & Literature, Dance, Film & Cinematic Storytelling, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts.
Students may apply to two of the six departments during the application process. Once accepted, incoming students choose the department they wish to study at NMSA, and enter the school in that department.
Throughout studying at NSMA there are many opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration.
Creative Writing & Literature
- Extensive training and practice in writing, editing, and critical reading
- Study in the disciplines of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and dramatic writing
- Access to real world experience through Internships, master classes, guest speakers, and a collaborative capstone project
- Live readings and other public performances
Dance
- Diverse curriculum including, Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Flamenco, Hip-Hop & Jazz
- Collaborate with other Art Departments
- Opportunities for performing in alternative spaces, studying with guest artists, and taking master classes
Film & Cinematic Storytelling
- Receive a foundation in cinema history, theory, and production while developing hand-on training in a range of cinematic fields: producing, directing, writing, sound, and editing
- Develop skills in digital media, animation, documentary, screenplay and scoring
- Access real world experiences in the film world through master classes, guest speakers, and film screenings and festivals
- Conceive, develop, and construct collaborative capstone film projects rooted in the power and responsibility of storytelling.
Music
- Learn Music Fundamentals – Aural Skills, Music Theory, Music History, and Keyboard Skills
- Private lessons with an expert instructor
- Jazz, composition, vocal performance, and instrumental performanc
Theatre
- Immersive training and performances
- Develop narratives, characters, productions, and personal expression
- Movement, vocal styles, textual analysis, playwriting, directing, theater history, monologues, and college audition preparation
Visual Arts
- Diverse materials, tools, and processes including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and more.
- Learn making, revising, critical thinking, communication, problem solving, & self awareness
- Hands on experience along with demonstration, lecture, critique, seminar/discussion, collaboration, research, and more.