Council puts end to plans for projects

6-3 vote denies funds for proposed Atrisco arts proposal

Albuquerque city councilors on Monday voted down a measure by a 6-3 vote that would have appropriated $32,000 from the council projects activity budget for two proposed arts and cultural projects about the history of the Atrisco area of the city.

Councilor Klarissa Peña sponsored the measure. Fellow Democratic Councilors Cynthia Borrego and Ken Sanchez also voted in support of the funding.

According to Peña, the proposed Arte Escondido (Hidden Arts) project would focus on a collaboration with local Hispano artists to produce art projects that would feature Hispano customs and traditions that have been passed down over generations.

The proposed Atrisco: A Community History project would include a video history of the Atrisco area, and a discussion of the Atrisco Land Grant and how its communities have shaped the present and future of Albuquerque.

Peña told fellow councilors she wanted to create some diversity and bring art programs to the southwest part of the city.

“I think these are important projects to our community,” she said. “Arte Escondido is about discovering hidden artists in our community— artists that really can’t afford to be part of shows.”

Republican Councilors Brad Winter, Trudy Jones and Don Harris voted in opposition to the measure, along with Democratic Councilors Isaac Benton, Diane Gibson and Pat Davis.

“For projects this size, I can’t believe that if it’s this important to the community that they wouldn’t be able to participate in many ways — sweat equity, bake sales,” Jones said. “You don’t go to a governmental body when you want to fund something that is a community project.”