The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art collects, preserves, and exhibits the Spanish colonial art of New Mexico and beyond, and educates the public about its related cultures and living traditions.

Since the 1600s, Spanish colonial arts and crafts have been an important part of village life in New Mexico and Southern Colorado; however, by the early 1900s, the practice of these traditional arts was declining. In 1925, the Spanish Colonial Arts Society was founded in Santa Fe to encourage and promote Spanish colonial arts and crafts and to inform and educate the public about traditional art forms, designs and techniques.

Since then, the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art has played a major role in developing markets for the artists, increasing public awareness, preserving Spanish colonial art, and emphasizing the importance of continuing community traditions.

Museum home | traditional arts | join us! | contact us | educational programs | publications | market | market artists


Copyright © 1997-2004 The Museum of Spanish Colonial Arts