November, 2008

Dear Friends,

In this time of economic uncertainty, I'd like to share with you some thoughts on the enduring value of museums as vital components of their communities and societies. Museums are places for informal learning about art and culture, for making art, and for socializing and making connections with others, some of whom are our neighbors, others who may live across the country or across an ocean.

At our recent Día de Muertos» program, 775 visitors enjoyed an afternoon of listening to music, eating pan de muerto, decorating sugar skulls, and creating nichos together. I spoke with one cross-generational group seated around a table that I took to be an extended family of grandparents, parents, and children. I learned that the older couple was not related to the others but had struck up a conversation as they worked on their nichos together and were enjoying seeing what the children were making. This kind of interaction with others centered around making something by hand helps to nurture one's own individual creativity as well as an appreciation for others' creativity and fosters a sense of community in the process.

From visitor surveys, we know that most people visit museums with at least one other individual; quite a few visit in groups ranging from three to five people and that they share the perceptions of the art and experiences in the exhibitions with each other. The value of this kind of experience is not only calculated by economic measures, although museums are an especially good value when compared, for example, to the cost of going to the movies or dining out. While there may be an admission charge to the museum, these opportunities to interact with others in the context of art and creativity are "priceless," to borrow the words of a familiar ad campaign. At the Museum of International Folk Art, programs are included in the cost of admission. The funding for these programs, including artist's honoraria, art supplies, musical performances, and refreshments, is generously provided by the International Folk Art Foundation, the Folk Art Committee, and the Museum of New Mexico Foundation». And the museum schedules most of its programs, such as the Día de Muertos program, on Sunday afternoons when the museum is free to New Mexico residents, whose state taxes help to support the museum.

Even for non-residents, the museums provide a good value for the money, especially if you purchase a two-museum pass, and an even better bargain if you buy a four-day pass which includes admission to five museums: the Museum of International Folk Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture», and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art» on Museum Hill» (our other neighbor, the Wheelwright Museum» is free but donations are happily accepted); and the Palace of the Governors» and New Mexico Museum of Art» on the downtown Plaza.

Docent tours are also included in the price of admission and are available on a walk-in basis or may be scheduled in advance for groups. Our docents provide an invaluable service as they contribute the precious gifts of time and commitment to the museum. Many also assist with programs and with the museum's popular and acclaimed school program, Folk Art to Go, for students and their teachers.

I invite you to celebrate the greater good that museums represent as places for dialogues, exploring art and cultures, and relating to other people.

Joyce Ice
Director