About
The Midtown Arts and Design Alliance (MADA), a collaboration of over 10 trusted local and regional non-profits and cultural institutions, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for significant investment in Santa Fe’s creative community, located at its geographical center, Midtown.
The civic moment in which Santa Fe finds itself calls for fresh ideas that can take root on a disinvested site like the Midtown Site. While our city serves as an artistic capital to the country, it faces steep challenges of widening inequality and limited opportunity for its young people. Many of our own artists and creatives struggle to feel like they belong.
Hoop Dance Eric Hernandez at the 2021 Midtown Block Party. Photo by Kaelyn Lynch
MADA provides accessible, all-ages community programming, bridges traditional and new approaches, and champions experiential and technology-driven art forms — creating a vibrant gathering and making space for artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs of all ages.
By integrating job training and youth development with the arts, MADA acts to connect invaluable economic opportunities for creatives, young adults, aspiring entrepreneurs, families, and youth from all backgrounds.
MADA is the result of deep public engagement regarding the Midtown Site’s future and has been developed as an initiative of the Santa Fe Art Institute, a 501c3. MADA partners will rehabilitate and occupy 50,000 sq ft of abandoned buildings at Midtown, with a long-term lease from the City of Santa Fe, as part of the City’s Midtown Master Plan.
Rendering of rehabilitated military barracks next to the Santa Fe Art Institute, as part of the MADA project. Credit: Mass Design Group
MADA is an innovative investment in smaller arts & culture non-profits and enterprises that bring new art, energy and ideas!
MADA elevates celebrated nonprofits and institutions that share the vision of permanently colocating, co-programming, and sharing resources for greater collective impact.
As project stakeholders, MADA partners will fully or partially relocate here, paying below-market rents on a sliding scale to cover operating costs. This innovative model results in greater community impact, including:
- Youth & Community Engagement – internships and youth-led programming including a café, and a multi-purpose community room and lecture hall available to the public
- Culture, Heritage & Health – supporting all arts including traditional cultural practices, new media and technology, the culinary and healing arts, and ecological and construction arts
- Affordable Arts & Culture Programs – bringing over 10,000 residents and visitors annually to studios, galleries, makerspaces, lectures, performances, events, and community spaces
- Workforce Training & Job Creation – helping to upskill individuals for in-demand careers in the creative economy, with classes, apprenticeships, and training for all ages
“Economic factors such as housing and spaces for study hinder the prosperity of young artists. MADA can address these problems by offering affordable workspaces and fostering a creative community.” Photo by Dylan Tenorio
Our goal is to break ground on Phase 1 in Q1 2026, allowing move-in for six MADA partners to provide photography, design, and cultural activities, film and media programming, a community darkroom and printmaking studio, a youth-run café, and a children’s makerspace!
We will need City Council approval this summer on the long term ground lease - please show up to support this once-in-a-generation project!
