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The New Mexico Arts & Military program is launching a promotional campaign to bring greater awareness to this opportunity.
Source: New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Photo: Courtesy
Santa Fe, NM – Active-duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families can receive free admission to any of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ eight museums and eight historic sites this summer through the Blue Star Museums program.
The New Mexico Arts & Military program is launching a promotional campaign to bring greater awareness to this opportunity. New Mexico has a sizable population of active-duty military/National Guard and their families, with more than 43,000 people. This offers a chance to explore the history and culture of the state from Armed Forces Day, May 17 through Labor Day, September 1, 2025.
The free admission extends to up to five family members. Qualified members must show a valid military ID. For more information about Blue Star Museums, including a map of participating museums, visit https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums.
“Participating in the Blue Star Museum Admissions program is an incredible opportunity for the Department of Cultural Affairs museums and historic sites to share New Mexico’s rich artistic, historical, and cultural offerings to active-duty service members and their families,” said Kevin Lenkner, Program Coordinator for New Mexico Arts & the Military. “Last year more than 4000 individuals took this opportunity to visit, learn, and become inspired by New Mexico’s treasures.”
The eight New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) museums offering free admission include:
- Museum of International Folk Art (Santa Fe)
- Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (Santa Fe)
- National Hispanic Cultural Center (Albuquerque)
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (Albuquerque)
- New Mexico History Museum (Santa Fe)
- New Mexico Museum of Space History (Alamogordo)
- New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum (Las Cruces)
- New Mexico Museum of Art – Plaza Building and Vladem Contemporary (Santa Fe)
The eight NMDCA historic sites offering free admission include:
- Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site (Fort Sumner)
- Coronado Historic Site (Bernalillo)
- Jemez Historic Site (Jemez Springs)
- Fort Stanton Historic Site (Capitan/Fort Stanton)
- Lincoln Historic Site (Lincoln)
- Fort Selden Historic Site (Radium Springs)
- Los Luceros Historic Site (Alcalde)
- Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site (Mesilla)
“The Blue Star Museums Admissions program is a shining example of the collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Department of Defense, along with the leadership and support of NMDCA,” said Lenkner.
NMDCA also partners with the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services to offer free passes to all New Mexico veterans with a service-connected disability rated 50% or higher, enabling these veterans to access every NMDCA institution once for free. Find out more about this program and others serving disabled veterans at nmdvs.org/state-veteran-benefits.
About New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, eight historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, NMDCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation.
About New Mexico Arts
New Mexico Arts (NMA) is the state arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. NMA’s mission is to ensure the arts are central to the lives of New Mexicans, including active-duty members of the military and their families, as well as veterans. For more information about New Mexico Arts visit nmarts.org.
