Mission

Moving Arts cultivates a vibrant community where creative expression and experiential learning thrive. We foster the empowerment, resilience, and well-being of New Mexico’s youth and children.

What we believe and how we show up. 

To successfully support our youth in achieving their personal growth, we align around our 5 beliefs grounded in one shared truth—that creative expression assists in gaining a deeper connection to self and community. 

ART IS MEDICINE

Through the arts, students heal physically, mentally and emotionally. The arts provide a necessary outlet for personal expression which helps to relieve stress and tension. This creative exploration moves our students from trauma into trust.

CREATIVITY IS FREEDOM

Focusing and getting lost in one’s creativity not only heals the soul, it empowers us to achieve more in life. It opens us up to problem solve and see the world more as it can be that how it currently is. The possibilities of what the future can be are limitless.

MASTERFUL MENTORSHIP

The transfer of wisdom between a safe, experienced teacher and student where engagement + personal growth are emphasized over artistic excellence. This choreography of learning also accelerates the student’s growth into becoming a future master insuring the next generation.

FIND YOUR VOICE

Mentorship is an efficient way to develop one’s own creative voice. The development of that unique voice begins during artistic exploration, and over time with nurturing gives students the confidence to speak up as needed in all aspects of life.

Our growing impact is transforming local community

Each week, we offer over 40 unique classes for children and youth. Each year, we transform over 700 children and youth in Northern New Mexico. Since our inception, we have nourished our community, serving over 50k free healthy meals for students and their families. 

Affordable access to creative learning experiences

Moving Arts provides creative experiential learning programs to around 450 kids per week, many from Indigenous, Hispanic, rural, and low-income communities. These programs offer access to creative experiential learning education that may not be available otherwise.

Learning that promotes healing + leadership

Moving Arts’ programs help address the effects of trauma, violence, and childhood abuse through creative expression and community building. This can have a profound impact on the wellbeing and future prospects of vulnerable youth. Its programs build confidence, bring people together and foster deeper connections across diverse backgrounds.

Building a vibrant community 

Moving Arts increasingly embraces a deeper reach for sustained community impact. From a new county-wide juvenile justice program which redirects at-risk youth to outreach programs that feed attending students and at times the broader community, Moving Arts has extended its reach to deepen its impact.

Meet the empathic, engaged, and inspirational people who bring Moving Arts to life.

Since 2008, we have handpicked the right folks to lead us forward. From invested board members and advisors, to dedicated staff, and a wealth of talented instructors, Moving Arts continues to grow to meet the needs of our community. Please meet our family.

From grassroots involvement to inspiring a community of families.

Meeting the changing needs of our youth and local community has required taking the long view of progress over time. The journey began twenty five years ago as an in-school arts enrichment program throughout the Española primary schools. We now offer a year-round creative and experiential learning afterschool including summer programming to cultivate thriving children, youth, and young adults. Our curriculums expanded beyond the arts to include technology and science.

Founded on the unwavering dedication of Roger Montoya and Salvador Ruiz Esquivel who have built their lives around combining the arts, learning, and creativity, Moving Arts is now entering a new chapter of growth. One where the reach of services increases, the dedication to achieving a vibrant and resilient community is delivered on, and where students continue to find their unique voice and identity, one child at a time.

ABOUT SALVADOR RUIZ ESQUIVeL

Prior to receiving the prestigious Univisionario recognition in 2022 as a top ten entrepreneur among Hispanic Americans, Salvador has worked continuously tirelessly for the arts in his career. He believes that education through the arts is essential in the growth and development of a healthy child, and utilizes his extensive business background to bring responsive programming to children and youth. In 2023, his work was included in the United States Congressional Record and he was a 2024 recipient of the Hopkins Award for Excellence in Ethical Practice by a non-profit given by Central New Mexico Community College.

ABOUT ROGER MONTOYA

Roger is an American humanitarian, painter, former professional dancer and gymnast, and a former politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 40th district. For over 10 years, Roger’s Arts in the Schools program raised $4M while employing 75 artists across 276 classrooms impacting over 3,000 children. He was recognized in 2019 as a CNN Hero for his visionary programming at Moving Arts Española. An ancestral native of Northern New Mexico, Roger is recognized for his efforts in using the arts to address trauma, violence, and poverty.