About the Music Commission

Welcome to the New Mexico Music Commission.

The New Mexico Music Commission (NMMC) is made up of a diverse 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 (Governor of New Mexico 2003-2011). Richardson appointed Lee Berk commission chair and Nancy Laflin executive director. He appropriated a budget of approximately $175,000 to cover the executive director salary plus benefits and provide the commission with a program budget.

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 legislature administratively attached the Commission to New Mexico Arts, the State Arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

2012 The commission’s Executive Director position and budget were eliminated. The New Mexico Music Commission Foundation was created to garner private sector support for commission initiatives. As of November 2019, the commission remains without an executive director and funding from the state.

Commission Chair

• 2005-2013 Lee Berk
• 2013-2016 David Schwartz
• 2016-2017 Dan Stoddard, Acting Chair
• 2017-present Melissa Sanchez, Acting Chair

Note: The commission chair is appointed by the Governor, as per the Music Commission Act. In the absence of a Governor-appointed chair, the vice chair, elected by commissioners, serves as acting chair.

Commission Staff

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

Mission

As part of the Music Commission Act, the Legislature assigned the Music Commission’s mission, as follows:

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. Public meeting dates, times, and locations are posted on the Music Commission’s events calendar. Meeting locations alternate between Santa Fe and Albuquerque and are open to the public.

Meeting Agendas

Below are links to the Music Commission’s meeting agendas:

2020     February     May     August     November

2019     February     April     June#     August     November#

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

Below are links to the Music Commission’s official meeting notes:

2020     February     May     August     November

2019     February* April*     June#     August     November#

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

*Notes were not submitted into official public record for this meeting because commissioners’ did not achieve a quorum and were unable to conduct official business.

#This meeting was cancelled.

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