516 ARTS is an independent, nonprofit arts venue located at 516 Central Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets in the center of Downtown Albuquerque. The 5,500 square foot, two-story gallery is a unique, hybrid venue somewhere between a gallery and museum. 516 ARTS offers adventurous programs that address current issues in world culture, presenting innovative and interdisciplinary exhibitions, events and educational activities in a variety of art forms, including visual and literary arts, film/video and music. 516 ARTS offers programs that inspire curiosity, dialogue, risk-taking and creative experimentation, showcasing a mix of established, emerging, local, national and international artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Programs include exhibitions, openings, gallery talks, workshops, panel discussions, the 516 WORDS literary arts series, special events and performances. Education programs include exhibition tours for schools and community groups with curriculum packets, youth activities and events. Visit www.516arts.org for upcoming programs and an archive of past programs. 516 ARTS has become known as a leader of collaborations for New Mexico. The LAND/ART project was a six-month collaboration exploring land-based art, which received extensive national attention. 516 ARTS organized this major event which involved over 25 organizations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Mountainair and over 200 artists, writers and performers. Visit www.landartnm.org.
Founded in 2006, 516 ARTS is a nonprofit, non-collecting contemporary art museum in Downtown Albuquerque. Our mission is to connect contemporary artists and diverse audiences by: presenting relevant exhibitions and public programs that address current issues in world culture; presenting innovative and interdisciplinary educational programs in a variety of art forms; and building audiences for the arts in Albuquerque and New Mexico. Our core values are inquiry, diversity, collaboration and accessibility. We promote “Contemporary Art for Everyone” through free admission, educational outreach and a variety of timely and relevant themes. 516 ARTS feature a mix of local, national, and international artists in at least three major interdisciplinary art exhibitions each year that engage audiences of all ages and diverse ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Each is accompanied by educational programming that includes public forums, artist talks, special guest speakers, hands-on workshops, spoken word events, performances, field trips, outdoor education activities, murals, and leadership of local and regional collaborations. Educational partners include Albuquerque Public Schools, where our focus is on providing exhibition tours and workshops for K-12 students as well as curriculum materials for teachers. We also serve community centers, and special needs and youth organizations working with underserved communities.
516 Central Avenue SW