ABOUT NM MODERNISM

Founded in 2024, NM Modernism protects and celebrates New Mexico’s midcentury modernist-era architecture and public art. We identify, document, and advocate for significant places and works across the state, helping both state residents and visitors understand their history and imagine their future. New Mexico’s midcentury modern heritage is part of our shared story—in the homes, schools, businesses, civic buildings, and public artworks that shape our everyday surroundings.

WHY IT MATTERS

New Mexico’s modernism tells a distinctive regional story, bringing international design ideas into conversation with local materials, Indigenous and Hispanic traditions, and the state’s extraordinary landscapes. These places reflect changing communities, creative experimentation, and new possibilities for everyday life.

Yet many remain underappreciated and vulnerable to demolition or changes that erase their character. Our work brings attention to this heritage before it disappears.

WHAT WE DO

Photo by Thea Haver

DOCUMENT

We maintain a statewide inventory of modernist buildings and public art to record what exists and why it matters.

ADVOCATE

We collaborate with property owners, communities, and policymakers to balance historic preservation with contemporary needs.

EDUCATE

We share New Mexico’s modernist stories through tours, talks, and resources to build community understanding and support.