Artful Life

Artful Life is a New Mexico-based arts and community organization dedicated to transforming neighbor-hoods through the beauty and power of collaborative art.

We are dedicated to the Tewa belief that revitalization is an individual and collective process fueled by creative inspiration, labor, and a thoughtful approach.

Artful Life's large-scale arts projects engage community members (of all ages) and professional artists in long-term creative collaboration. The resulting works of art express a powerful sense of people and place. Projects also generate meaningful community relationships, leadership, and working teams.  Artful Life then works with participants to harness the energy and capacity generated by collaboration and channel these into community-led development initiatives.

Take a look at our arts-based community development model here.

Currently we are working with two Albuquerque neighborhoods--the International District (since 2011) and Barelas (since 2015), with previous projects with the South Valley (2015-2018).  Each project involves years-long collaboration and has a personality particular to its people and place.

We also direct, coordinate and/or participate in a range of other collaborations that fulfill our mission and work to innovate and evolve the field of creative collaboration.

We partner with dozens of community-based organizations and artists and are supported by a broad range of funders, supporters and volunteers who make what we do possible. We're so grateful for our wide, deep and diverse community.

Artful Life projects work to transform communities through the beauty and power of collaborative art. Currently we are working in three neighborhoods in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico:  International District, Barelas and the South Valley.  We also direct and/or collaborate on a range of smaller creative projects.

 During our large-scale arts and community engagement projects, artists and residents of underserved communities work together over months and years to co-envision, co-design and co-create significant works of art. In doing so, they get to know each other in new ways, discover the power of working in teams, and create significant works of art that express who they are, where they live, and what they dream.

Depending on the will of the community, the art can be visual, written, photographic, performance, film (etc.) and often includes the transformation of neighborhood places. The projects build relationships and capacity and generate a range of community-led initiatives based on months and years of creative collaboration.