A Student-Led Creative Movement in Taos Offers Culturally Relevant Resources and Connections

Many families in Taos experience violence, substance use, mental health issues, and incarceration, but unfortunately, those who do don’t all know how to access community support—and when they do, sometimes that support doesn’t feel culturally relevant. To address this, students and teachers in UNM Taos’ Chicana/o Studies program came up with an idea: Launch a student-led movement to facilitate a safe, open space for conversation, connection, and healing through art, creative expression, and connection to local support services. What that looks like in practice is a creative gathering that includes performances, visual art, storytelling, and community conversations; several organizations also will be present to offer resources. Students will organize the event, including conducting community outreach and documenting the day with a catalogue of reflections. LOR’s support will help ensure the group can purchase event supplies and professional service for the catalogue.

This project was fiscally sponsored by the Millicent Rogers Museum.