About the Ortiz Center

Mission

The mission of the Ortiz Center is to create new or support existing partnerships and collaborations that address community-supported priorities through public-facing anthropology, social sciences, and humanities initiatives.

The center is named for the late Alfonso Ortiz, UNM anthropology professor, MacArthur fellow, and native of San Juan Pueblo. He believed anthropology is a mirror for humanity, and that the barriers between the academy and world communities should be eliminated in order to foster meaningful change in Anthropology.

Goals and ObjectivesT

  • To promote respect and appreciation for intercultural communication, interaction, and learning, cultural heritage, and the environment.
  • To foster a new approach in anthropology that involves individuals and communities in collaboration with the university.
  • To encourage new forms of intercultural expression, including dance, art, visual media, exhibitions, and performances.
  • To advance initiatives to better integrate teaching, research, and service activities that enhance communities’ and individuals’ empowerment
  • To empower local communities in New Mexico and throughout the world to share their knowledge on their own terms.

What We Do

Community Scholars

Support for projects initiated by community and faculty scholars as they teach, learn, and engage in public dialogue that includes presentations, workshops, seminars, and conferences.

Co-curated Exhibits

Artists and cultural specialists from various communities will work with museum curators to interpret existing collections and resources, gather and document new collections, and develop new exhibitions and public programs with Ortiz Center sponsorship.

Internships and Fellowships

UNM students and diverse community members work together to develop community inspired projects in service learning, public lectures, workshops and symposia.

Programs for New Mexico Families

Family activities at the Maxwell Museum for people of all ages and abilities that are free of charge to the public.

Music, Dance, Film, and Cultural Performances

Performances and media developed collaboratively for all community members to enjoy.