Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Nyoka Marimba Band and elementary music program at Tucumcari Public Schools are receiving a $5,849 grant from New Mexico Arts Awards.
According to a list of grants from the agency, Tucumcari’s elementary music program and the Nyoka Marimba Band received the grant. Grades from kindergarten to fifth grade at Tucumcari are included in daily music classes. The marimba band meets after school, comprising students in fourth and fifth grades.
The Nyoka band's instructor, Andrew Kesten, has directed the band during performances at various venues, including the New Mexico Music Educators All-State Music Festival and In-Service Conference in Albuquerque earlier this year.
The marimba is a percussion instrument, much like a xylophone, that originated from Africa. "Nyoka" in the band's name is Zimbabwean for "snake," a nod to the school's Rattlers mascot.
Kesten also guides the elementary school music program.
The state art agency announced Monday it awarded $1.5 million in state and federal funds to about 200 arts organizations, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, tribal governments and government entities.
The state’s arts and culture sector, which typically contributes about $5.9 billion annually to the state’s economy, has taken a hit because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has suspended large gatherings, resulting in the cancellation of in-person programming, the layoff of musicians and other artists and in some cases the closure of organizations.
Because of a decline in ticket sales, which can be a significant source of income for performing arts organizations, arts providers have been called upon to create virtual programming for their audiences.
"The mission of New Mexico Arts is to provide financial and other support to arts programs and providers around the state," said Jenice Gharib, grants program and policy director for the agency. "This $1.5 million in state and federal funds will provide some measure of relief for our arts providers that continue to provide programs and services for adults and youth in our state and keep New Mexicans employed during these precarious times."
Funds being distributed by New Mexico Arts are from the State general fund, the National Endowment for the Arts and the federal CARES Act.