Learn About the Commission

Welcome to the New Mexico Music Commission.

The New Mexico Music Commission (NMMC) consists of a cross-section of New Mexico citizens representing all facets of our state’s unique and diverse music industry. As is befitting of New Mexico, the commission embraces and reflects all musical genres gracing our state’s multicultural tableau.

Origins

2005 The New Mexico Music Commission was created by Executive Order of Governor Bill Richardson. Richardson appointed Lee Berk chair, Nancy Laflin executive director, and appropriated a commission budget of approximately $175,000, which included Ms. Laflin’s salary and benefits package. The executive order administratively attached the Commission to New Mexico Arts, the State Arts agency, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

2009 The commission was codified into state law by the New Mexico legislature under a bill introduced by Albuquerque Representative Al Park, after passing unanimously in both the House and Senate. Known as the Music Commission Act (Sections 18-16-1 through 18-16-4 NMSA 1978, being Laws 2009, Chapter 13, Sections 1 through 4). The commission’s budget and executive director position however were not included in the new law.

2012 The commission’s executive director position and budget expired at the end of Governor Richardson’s term. Because they were not required by law per the Music Commission Act, incoming Governor Susana Martinez did not renew them. The New Mexico Music Commission Foundation was created by commission chair Lee Berk and David Schwartz (the foundation’s inaugural president) to garner private sector support for commission initiatives in an effort to offset the loss of state funding.

2014 The Governor Martinez approved funding for the creation of a part-time music commission administrator position with funding allocated by the legislature.

2020 The commission remains without state funding and an executive director since 2012.

Governor

• 2003-2011 Bill Richardson
• 2011-2019 Susana Martinez
• 2019-present Michelle Lujan Grisham

Commission Chair

• 2005-2013 Lee Berk
• 2013-2016 David Schwartz
• 2016-2017 Dan Stoddard Acting
• 2017-2020 Melissa Sanchez Acting
• 2020-present Carlos Medina

Commission Staff

• 2005-2011 Nancy Laflin, Executive Director
• 2015-present Thomas Goodrich, Administrator (part-time)

Mission

To protect, promote, and preserve the musical traditions of New Mexico, to foster appreciation of the value of music, and to encourage the educational, creative and professional musical activities of the residents of New Mexico.

Public Meetings

The Commission’s statute requires a minimum of four public meetings per year. Meeting locations alternate between Santa Fe and Albuquerque and are open to the public.

Meeting Agendas

2020     February(2)     May(3)     August(3)     November

2019     February     April     June(2)     August     November(2)

2018     February     April     June     August     November

2017     January     March     May      July     November

2016     January     March     May     July     September     November

2015     January     March     May     July     September     November

Meeting Notes

2020     February(2)     May(3)     August(3)     November

2019     February(1) April(1)     June(2)     August(1)     November(2)

2018     February     April     June     August     November

2017     January     March(1)     May     July     November

2016     January     March(1)     May     July     September(1)     November

2015     January(1)     March     May     July     September(1)     November

(1) Commissioners were unable to conduct business due to lack of quorum. As a result, official meeting notes were not recorded.

(2) Meeting cancelled due to lack of quorum among commissioners.

(3) Meeting cancelled due to the COVID-19 health directive.

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