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Mayor Tim Keller Recognizes Triple Milestones for Albuquerque's Public Art Program

November ushers in new art, new board member, and 40 years of 1 Percent For Art.

November 20, 2018

November marks not one, not two, but three major accomplishments for the City of Albuquerque's Public Art Urban Enhancement Division. Today Mayor Tim Keller recognized the Public Art Program's 1,000th piece of public art, the appointment of the 100th member of the Arts Board, and the 40th anniversary of the passing of the Art in Municipal Places Ordinance (1% for Art) on November 22, 1978,  which established the nationally-recognized Albuquerque Public Art Program.

Former Mayor David Rusk signed into law the original Art in Municipal Places Ordinance 40 years ago. The purpose of the ordinance was and continues to be "to encourage private and public programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in, the fine arts, to increase employment opportunities in the arts, and to encourage the integration of art into the architecture of municipal structures."

The City's Public Art Program is one of the first public arts programs to be established and is the 15th oldest 1% for Art Program in the country.   

During 40 years of Public Art in Albuquerque, the program has hired and worked with nearly 800 individual professional artists who were paid for their creativity. Working with many of those artists have also been hundreds of student interns, apprentices, and others who have been direct participants in the art making process. The program has had 25  staff members who have worked for 10 different mayors who all graciously supported the Public Art Program.

"The Public Art Program is a key player in Albuquerque's creative economy," Mayor Keller said. "It's the hard work of the Public Art staff and the Arts Board that makes Albuquerque an inclusive city by placing art in public places."

Mayor Keller revealed the Public Art Program's 1,000th piece to its permanent collection that ranges from frescos to tapestries, and murals to kinetic sculptures. Hanging in the 11th floor of City Hall is a hand-cut papel picado titled "Té, Chocolate, Café" by artist Catalina Delgado-Trunk. He also welcomed the Arts Board's newest and 100th member, Emilie De Angelis. De Angelis was appointed to the Arts Board by the City Council on Monday, Nov. 19. She will represent District 7.  

For more than 20 years, De Angelis has worked with nonprofits in the arts, culture, education, and museums field. She is a fourth-generation New Mexican who left the state but has returned home to continue her work and passion.