HOUSE BILL 720

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

AN ACT

RELATING TO AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS; PROVIDING THAT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND EXHIBIT HALL SHALL BE MAINTAINED AT ITS PRESENT LOCATION AND ADMINISTERED FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. AFRICAN AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND EXHIBIT HALL--MAINTENANCE AND ADMINISTRATION.--The African American performing arts center and exhibit hall shall be maintained on the New Mexico state fair property in the city of Albuquerque in Bernalillo county and shall be administered:

          A. in a manner that will help educate the public about the history and contributions of African Americans in New Mexico;

          B. as a place where people of all ages throughout the state can visit, study, work, perform and celebrate the contributions and significance of African Americans in New Mexico;

          C. so that New Mexicans will be able to link their future with their past through literature, fine art, modern dance and music, storytelling, poetry and prose, painting, sculpture, movement and song;

          D. as a center responsible for conducting education and health programs statewide for the African American community;

          E. in coordination with other culturally unique facilities that celebrate New Mexico's rich and diverse heritage; and

          F. as a place to house permanent and traveling art exhibits, as well as to provide public education programs on the history, culture and arts of people of African descent.

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