Art serves a fundamental cultural function, both as a mirror of society, and in giving a voice to many who may not be able to fully express themselves in other ways. The arts thus enhance the quality of our lives, nourish the spirit, and are an essential ingredient of all flourishing social groups, from small traditional communities to grand civilizations. With the exception of Art and Art History, these units have forged highly successful partnerships with local organizations and, in so doing, offer the community opportunities to experience music, theatre, film, dance, and visual art. Thousands of visitors, many of them school children, visit the campus for theatre, dance, and music performances, or to visit campus museums. Continue to support Arts in the Schools Program.
Many social problems stem from poverty.
The Environmental Scan takes note of the fact that New Mexico has a deep and persistent problem of poverty, ranking 48th among the states in per capita income and with the highest rate of poverty among the states. Historical poverty does more than keep families economically unbalanced. It also gives rise to a host of other problems that directly diminish New Mexico s quality of life. For example, expanding drug addiction presently infects rural northern New Mexico. Picturesque Hispanic villages are dealing with a veritable heroin epidemic.