Moving Arts Española
Supporting the Next Generation
All children deserve a superior arts education that inspires them, a safe place to be after school, and access to nutritious food. Moving Arts Española is providing that to about 450 kids per week. Built out of an extracurricular program at Española Public Schools in the 90’s, Moving Arts Española is a need-responsive arts education center founded by Roger Montoya and Salvador Ruiz-Esquivel.
Children ages 3-18 can stay at Moving Arts after school from 4 to 7 pm. They take classes ranging from Fashion Design to Flamenco, are served a healthy meal, and receive tutoring to support their academic journey. Children are then picked up by their parents — physically tired, bellies full, homework done, and creatively fulfilled. As the kids get older, they are encouraged and nurtured to become community leaders.
Children ages 12-18 are both assistants and instructors in many of the programs. The Santa Fe Community Foundation is proud to have Moving Arts Española among our grantees, and they continue to make astounding impacts on the Española community. As a smiley, eight year-old girl happily told Mr. Montoya one day, “Moving Arts lets me be who I am.”
Santa Fe Indigenous Center
The Santa Fe Indigenous Center is a Native-led nonprofit serving Indigenous families across Santa Fe County. Through biweekly food drives, cultural events, community programs, emergency financial assistance, and a robust network of referral resources, SFIC supports the diverse needs of the local Indigenous community. Each year, the organization hosts its signature event — the Honoring Native Nations Powwow on Indigenous Peoples’ Day — bringing dancers, drummers, Tribal Dignitaries, artists, and community members together to celebrate Indigenous culture, joy, and resilience. This year’s powwow was a vibrant success, and SFIC looks forward to continuing this tradition in 2026.
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Last year, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian opened Carved Stories by Hopi artist Mavasta Honyouti. Featuring all sixteen low-relief carvings from the Coming Home series — created in tandem with Honyouti’s children’s book Coming Home: A Hopi Resistance Story — the exhibit recounts his grandfather Clyde Honyouti’s experience at an off-reservation federal boarding school. This Indigenous-led project offers a powerful and visually compelling reflection on Hopi life, culture, and history. As Brian Vallo notes, “Carved Stories… is both powerful and beautiful.”
Kha'p'o Community School
With support from the Native American Advised Fund, sixth-grade students at Kha’p’o Community School embarked on Our Voice, Our Stories — a year-long documentary project blending traditional Tewa arts and modern digital storytelling. Through pottery, weaving, sewing, and film, students explored their cultural identity and celebrated their voices as young Tewa people.
