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   Cultural History
A CULTURE OF ILLUMINATION

Albuquerque’s cultural wealth is as dazzling as the new National Hispanic Cultural Center, with its multiple venues and art exhibits. It’s as every day as excellent New Mexican cuisine at local restaurants – and as varied as Thai, barbecue and Cajun food. Music ranges from mariachi to jazz, from traditional Native American dances performed at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to contemporary dance at UNM’s Popejoy Hall.

 

Albuquerque is also a flourishing arts center with a symphony, 40-plus art galleries, film festivals, a vigorous public arts program, 250 arts organizations, and hundreds of artisans producing furniture, jewelry, pottery, clothing and textiles.

 

Albuquerque’s museums and attractions have remodeled, expanded and planned special exhibits in preparation for the city’s 300th birthday:

§         The long awaited Roy E. Disney Center for the Performing Arts opened at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The 85,000-square-foot facility has three theaters and the largest stage in the Southwest.

§         The 60,000-square-foot, $12 million Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, with 22,000 square feet of exhibit space for the art, science, culture and history of ballooning, recently opened.

§         The $11 million Unser Racing Museum will soon open with the famous Albuquerque racing family’s race cars, uniforms, trophies and other memorabilia, along with items from other racers.

§         Animals of Africa is a new six-acre zoo exhibit that features an 8,000-square foot chimp complex, a waterfall, a 30-foot suspension bridge and a train.

§         The Albuquerque Museum recently completed an $8.3 million expansion and renovation, which added gallery space, an amphitheater, and cafe.

§         The Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum opened in late 2003 to rave reviews.

 

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