Interested in getting involved with art and the Quality of Life Department?
This page hosts open calls for artists, performers, proposals, and volunteers across the City of Las Cruces Quality of Life Department, including museums and public art programs. Check back regularly and follow us on social media for the latest opportunities to get involved!
Open Call for Artists:
Annual All-City High School Art Show 2027
Closes Friday, January 22, 2027, at 5 P.M. (MDT)
The Branigan Cultural Center invites high school students from the Las Cruces region to apply for the Annual All-City High School Art Show, opening in Spring 2027. This juried exhibition offers selected students the opportunity to showcase their artwork in a professional museum setting, where it will be on display for two months in the Branigan Cultural Center. As one of the museum’s featured exhibitions, participants will have the opportunity to share their work with hundreds of visitors from the local community and beyond.
Eligibility:
Applications are open to all High School Juniors and Seniors who are enrolled in a Las Cruces Public High School, Las Cruces Private School, Las Cruces Charter School, or are a homeschooled student residing in Las Cruces.
Application is open to all students, enrollment in an art class is not required.
All eligible pieces will be considered, but a limited number will be accepted for display in the show.
Submission Limit & Artwork Requirements:
- Students may submit up to five pieces, but only one will be accepted if chosen.
- All artistic mediums, including but not limited to painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, digital art, and mixed media, are welcome
- 2-D Works: May not exceed 60 inches on the longest side, including the frame.
- 3-D Works: May not exceed 36 inches in any direction.
- All submitted artwork must be a completed piece created while attending high school.
- Artwork must not infringe on copyrights or include any AI-generated components.
- Accepted artwork must be received in ready-to-exhibit condition by the scheduled drop-off date.*
*Accepted students will have the opportunity to participate in a free framing workshop hosted by the Las Cruces Museums Collections Team to help get your artwork ready-to-exhibit.
Submission Timeline:
- Application Deadline: January 22, 2027, at 5:00 P.M. (MDT)
- Application Review: Late January 2027
- Notification of Acceptance: First week of February 2027
Exhibition Dates:
March 5, 2027 – May 8, 2027
Exhibit Location: Branigan Cultural Center
An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, March 5, 2027, from 5:00–7:00 P.M. at the Branigan Cultural Center. During the reception, Best in Show, First Place, and Second Place winners in four categories will be announced, along with special awards presented by local art organizations.
Before You Apply
Please note that a parent/guardian or teacher certification is required to complete this application. The certifier must review the information provided and give consent for the child/student to apply at the end of this application.
For more information about the application process or exhibit, please contact:
Analisa Torres, Exhibits Curator
Call for Mural Artist – Predetermined Mural Project Application
Closes Thursday, October 15, at 5 P.M. (MDT)
The Las Cruces Museum System is seeking an artist to create a mural inside the Museum of Nature & Science. The mural concept, location, and project goals have already been established.
The selected artist will be expected to complete the art project by the negotiated date determined by the committee. The selected Artist would be expected to attend a dedication ceremony on Saturday, November 7, at 2:30 P.M.
This mural will be installed in the Atrium Space between the Museum of Art and the Museum of Nature & Science. It will be a starry sky scene with silhouettes of a boy and girl looking at a telescope pointed toward the stars with the Organ Mountains in the background. This mural will be approximately 10′ x 8′. At this point in time we are looking into the logistics of moving a fire extinguisher. As such, we are looking at roughly a 10 x 8 ft mural (with fire extinguisher remaining in place) or a 12 x 8 ft mural (if the fire extinguisher can be moved).
The chosen artist for this mural will be paid $1,500 for their time in creating this art piece and $250 for materials.
Deadline for application submissions is Thursday, October 15, at 5 P.M. MDT. The selection committee will meet the following week, with applicants informed of decisions within a two-week time frame from the closing of applications.
If you have questions, please contact [email protected].
Further details can be found in the application at the button below:
Open Call for Performers:
Moonlight Performers
Do you have an interest in performing at Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museum, our recurring Quarterly Friday evening program for adults (21+)?
We welcome applications from musicians, bands, DJs, KJs, drag performers, spoken word artists, dancers, and other live performers who create engaging experiences for our guests. Bands and group dancers are paid by performance and not by individual. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and selected performers will be contacted as opportunities arise. Submitting a form does not guarantee you will be chosen for a Moonlight program. Follow the link below to fill out our application.
Open Call for Proposals:
There are currently no calls for proposals.
Open Call for Volunteers and Foundation Members:
Did you know that the Quality of Life department is supported by amazing volunteers from the City of Las Cruces Volunteer Network, members of the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums, and Friends of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library?
City of Las Cruces Volunteer Network
The Volunteer Network is the City of Las Cruces’ volunteer resource providing more than 350 volunteers to 39 volunteer sites at cultural sites, city services, senior programs and city departments throughout Las Cruces. You can sign up to help the museums as well as other city departments with things like events, programs, and more! For contact information and more general overview, check out http://lascruces.gov/volunteer
Want to become a volunteer? Click the button below and sign up through their website!
Foundation for Las Cruces Museums
The Foundation for Las Cruces Museums is a membership based, non-profit organization providing financial resources, volunteer efforts and advocacy for the Las Cruces Museum System. The Foundation assists the museums by creating public and financial support. They work to increase community attendance at the museums, sponsor programs designed to enhance the cultural life of Las Cruces and advocate for favorable legislation and appropriations. Because our museum system is part of the municipal government, programming is subject to the availability of tax revenue. The museums have limited resources to accomplish their missions and visions. The Foundation assists the museums financially by generating fundraising events and encouraging gifts and endowments.
–Information from the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums website
Want to become a member? Click the button below and sign up through the Foundation’s website!
The Friends of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library
The Friends of the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library is a non-profit, educational and charitable organization. Membership is open to all persons interested in the improvement and growth of library services in Las Cruces and Dona Ana County. They strive to support the library with funding, advocacy, services, and materials.
Want to become a member? Click the button below and sign up through their website!
