Arts and Culture
Arts and Culture
Upon examining the large number and variety of visual artists and galleries, performing arts groups and venues, it is clear that the arts are held in high regard by a great many area residents. In a three block section of the currently being revitalized downtown area, there are three live theaters and ten galleries including the City's Branigan Cultural Center and Fine Arts Museum, not to mention one of the finest used book stores in the country, COAS My Bookstore.
In addition to the downtown area, other concentrations of art galleries are on the campus or near New Mexico State University, and still another in and around the town of Old Mesilla.
The community art scene owes much to the presence of New Mexico State University with its highly regarded music, art and theater programs, but our cultural roots go deep, steeped in the traditions of the Native Americans and early Spanish settlers. The Anglos who settled here also brought their art and traditions from other areas of the United States and the world. It is a blending of these cultures that help make Las Cruces so special.
There are nearly 30 organizations focused on the arts, including the Doña Ana Arts Council, ArtForms: Artists Association of New Mexico, the Las Cruces Arts and Crafts Association, and the City of Artists. The performing arts are well represented by five theater companies, the Las Cruces Symphony and Mesilla Valley Concert Band, the Las Cruces Chamber Ballet, and various other music and dance groups. New Mexico State University features the Doña Ana Lyric Opera and outstanding vocal music, choral and instrumental music departments.
The Border Book Festival promotes the literary arts, and the Mesilla Valley Film Society offers foreign and independent films at Mesilla's Fountain Theatre. There are a number of other artist groups and guilds that concentrate on everything from clay and ceramics to watercolors and weaving.
The area is fortunate to have a wide variety of museums that offer the opportunity to learn about everything from the local prehistoric residents to the pioneers of the space age. The City of Las Cruces museum system includes the Branigan Cultural Center, Las Cruces Museum of Fine Art, Museum of Natural History, and the Railroad Museum.
The history of the state's agricultural and ranching traditions and culture is exhibited at one of the world's most unique venues, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.
The New Mexico State University Museum displays items from the university's permanent collection. Space Murals, Inc. features a giant water tank mural and space memorabilia, and the White Sands Missile Range Museum shows the installation's history as well as the origins of the atomic age and space program.
One of the most significant aspects of the cultural and artistic growth of Las Cruces is the revitalization of the city's downtown area. Main Street was partially closed and the city's center altered during urban renewal and there is an active effort to restore the street and pump life back into what many consider to be the community's heart.
A key part of this effort is the restoration, renovation and reopening of the historic Rio Grande Theatre. Built in 1926 as a movie house, it has been reborn as a performing arts and education center under the management of the Doña Ana Arts Council.
The effort to make downtown Las Cruces a vital neighborhood with shops, restaurants, galleries and activity is an example of the city's commitment to preserving our culture and promoting our artistic future.
Houses of Worship
The spiritual values of the Mesilla Valley are strong - from the early Native American tribes with their reverence for nature and all living things to the Roman Catholic influence of the first Europeans. Later the addition of Protestant Christians and those of the Jewish faith added significantly to the community. More recently, Eastern religions such as Buddhism and the followers of Islam have broadened the spiritual landscape. A significant number of area residents still emphasize religion and its accompanying values.
Las Cruces features more than 40 Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic, Anglican Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, and a number of non-denominational fellowships exist. The Jewish community, at Temple Beth-El, recently moved into a new temple. The Islamic Center of Las Cruces serves the Muslim community.
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
Las Cruces has been the recipient of a number of important rankings by various organizations and publications.
One of bestboomertowns.com's 2009 Best Places to Thrive
The Web site chose the top 21 cities in the nation based on key criteria specifically for baby boomer needs: low crime, range of home prices, university access, airport convenience, small town ambiance, state of the art hospitals, good weather and abundant cultural activities. Las Cruces is the only city in New Mexico to make the list.
One of AARP's 2006 Dream Towns to retire
Las Cruces topped AARP's first list of great places to retire based on factors such as the cheapest states to live in as a retiree (based on income, property and sales taxes), weather, recreational opportunities, and livability (access to health care and transportation).
One of the Best College Towns to Retire
Money Magazine, November 2005
For the second time in four years, Las Cruces made one of Money's lists of best places to retire; this time as a college town. The article cited several factors, including Las Cruces' great weather, amazing views, cultural scene, and low cost of living.
Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations
in the United States
National Bus Association, 2004 and 2005
Motorcoach charter and tour operators were given a list of cities and asked to rank them according to where they think they will be traveling to or through in 2005.
Top 10 Cities for Hispanics to Live
Hispanic Magazine, 2002 and 2003
The Las Cruces/ El Paso area was ranked the fifth best city for Hispanics to live. The ranking was based on the percentage of Hispanics in the city, political representation, whether you can speak Spanish without feeling like a foreigner, and the vibrancy and "hipness" of the Latin cultural scene.
Best Small Metro Area
for Business and Careers
Forbes/Milken Institute, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005
Las Cruces has ranked in the top five for the last several years on Forbes' list of Best Small Metro Area for Business and Careers, including a #1 ranking in 2002 and #2 ranking in 2005. The rankings were based on "job
growth, earned income, and a measure of activity in critical technologies that foster future growth."
Best Place to Live
Family Digest, fall 2002
Las Cruces ranked the highest among
300 cities/ destinations evaluated in a number of areas determined to be important to families, including crime rate, housing costs, income, pre-college education productivity, family friendliness, weather, and affordability.
One of the Best Places to Retire
Money Magazine, June 2002
The article cited several factors, including Las Cruces' great weather, amazing views, cultural scene, low cost of living, and the country's best Mexican food and, according to the article, possibly the hottest chile in the United States. The article indicated Las Cruces' warm climate and mild winters were perfect for year-round activities such as tennis, hiking, golf, and visiting attractions like the dunes of nearby White Sands National Monument.
Top Destination
Facilities & Destinations Magazine, 2001, 2002 and 2004
Las Cruces was among 75 cities in the United States selected by the magazine's readers to receive the annual award recognizing cities for their ability to accommodate groups and conventions.
One of America's
Top 100 Retirement Towns
Where to Retire Magazine, fall 2001
Las Cruces received praise for its diverse culture, high desert climate, low cost of living, open spaces, and year-round outdoor activities. It was also one of the few towns selected that ranked below the national cost of living average, and had an average new home price under $100,000. Each city considered was assessed on a variety of categories ranging from the availability of medical care, recreational activities, continuing education, and airports, to shopping, dining, and cultural and social organizations.
