UNM Interdisciplinary Arts-BAIA

Congratulations to Interdisciplinary Arts (BAIA) student Elan Retzlaff - 2026 UNM Excellence in Undergraduate Arts Research Award winner.
Elan’s work merges contemporary technologies and traditional textile practices. Advanced methodologies including coding, electrical engineering, and digital fabrication converge through Elan’s research into an innovative artistic language.
“Elan exemplifies the ideals we hope for every Interdisciplinary Arts Student at UNM: dedication, innovation, and a genuine commitment to using artistic practice in service of others.” Katie Dukes Walker, Director, Interdisciplinary Arts
The UNM Excellence in Undergraduate Arts Research Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon an undergraduate student in recognition of outstanding arts research. Elan has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement throughout their time at the University of New Mexico. Writing about their project, Daughter, Elan explains that it "serves as both a vessel into which familial artisan legacy, abuse and gender roles can be passed down, and an entity struggling to assert its own autonomy…This project asks its audience how experimental intervention could disrupt that approach and help integrate the complexity of our inheritances into shared visions of the future that center safety, acceptance and connection.”
A special thank you to Tim Schroeder, Director, UNM Undergraduate Research, Arts & Design Network for his continued support of this award. Also, a special thank you to Meggan Gould, College of Fine Arts Associate Dean of Research for her administrative support of this award.

Congratulations to our BAIA students on their senior capstone exhibition, Home Is Where the Art Is. It was an inspiring evening filled with creativity, joy, and a true celebration of their exceptional work.
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Congratulations to Interdisciplinary Arts (BAIA) student, Eli Manuel Behrens - the 2026 UNM College of Fine Arts Senior Prize winner.

Eli is graduating with a BA in Interdisciplinary Arts, a second major in Philosophy and a Certificate in Honors. Eli’s work embodies the spirit of interdisciplinary practice through an exceptional portfolio spanning music, film, writing, ethnography, photography, and critical theory. Eli is a multi-instrumentalist, researcher, essayist and sound engineer. Eli was a participant in the Mantenerre: Holding the Sacred Ground documentary which earned recognition for Best Ethnography and Sound Design at the Orion International Film Festival. Eli represented UNM in Sardinia, Italy where he performed as a guitarist and performed tenor saxophone in Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Raven Chacon’s “Tiguex.” Eli served as managing editor of Conceptions Southwest: UNM’s Premier Arts & Literature Review and LIMINA: UNM Nonfiction Review. Eli plans to pursue a Masters in Philosophy at UNM this fall.

Each year outstanding seniors in the College of Fine Arts are recognized through the Donald McRae (former CFA Dean) award for the Outstanding Senior. One outstanding senior from each department/program is selected who will then compete for the Donald McRae award. The award is commonly referred to as the Senior Prize. This award recognizes students based on their contributions to the arts, service to department/college/university, awards/scholarships/prizes and potential future impact of education and experiences.

Please join us for the BAIA Spring 2026 Senior Capstone Show.

Home Is Where the Art Is
An interdisciplinary presentation featuring sculpture, digital media, music, living objects, and interactive art.

Tuesday May 12, 4:30pm-6:30pm
Short program of live performances at 5:30pm
At UNM ARTSLab
131 Pine St NE, ABQ, NM

Please join us for Polarity, an exhibition and series of events celebrating work by UNM students in their final year of the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts. We will be showcasing student work from mediums across visual arts, performance, and music.
Students in visual arts will have an exhibition at John Sommers Gallery in UNM’s arts building from December 5th through 12th. We also would love to see you at our artist talks, performances, and gallery reception:

12/5, 1-3 PM: Artist Talks at UNM ARTS Lab, 131 Pine Street NE
12/11, 1-3 PM: Reception at John Sommers Gallery, UNM’s arts building
12/11, 3-5 PM: Performances at Keller Hall, 203 Cornell Drive

Classical Queery: 'How can you support the work of trans artists?' In celebration of Pride, host Mya Temanson presents Classical Queery, a series that illustrates how classical music can uplift q***r voices and how q***r experiences can transform the classical music scene. This week, composer and singer Mari Esabel Valverde answers the question: “How can you supp...

Looking for an upper division class for fall 2025? Register for Public Arts Design and Administration! This class will run under course numbers ALBS 470 & FA 395. Check out the course description below.

Public Arts explores ways and means to transform public spaces using artistic interventions. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach and welcomes all students who wish to create public artworks or work with art in the public context - using sculptural, visual, sonic, audiovisual, performative, and more approaches. Throughout this course, students can engage with and learn about all stages of developing a piece for public spaces in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and beyond.

Join TONIGHT 5/27 on ZOOM!
FREE Lecture on Interdisciplinary Arts & Compositions for Children
7pm (MST)

Zoom link below:
https://dmcmusiccenter.zoom.us/j/94232033129?pwd=UdaeFR3Dh1cXbo91eoWLOiDW5xUWTx.1

Meeting ID: 942 3203 3129
Passcode: DMC

Dear Lobos! 🐺 Join us at the Arts Career Fair on Thursday, April 10th from 1-3pm. Be sure to stop by the resume advice table at this event, as CFA Faculty will be there to share tips on how to create and polish your CV, resume and professional materials.