UNMAM Announces Programming Reset: Collections Year Will Transform Exhibition Galleries into Workspaces
Initiative will prioritize collections management, launch new public database
The UNM Art Museum (UNMAM) is pleased to announce the kickoff of Collections Year on Monday, May 19, 2025. An initiative that UNMAM staff members have been planning since January 2025, Collections Year allows UNMAM an unusual opportunity – providing the valuable time and space to focus fully on its collections and their care.
During Collections Year, galleries will be transformed into active workspaces for collections management activities during the 2025-26 academic year. UNMAM will not present exhibitions during that time.
Instead, exhibition galleries will be transformed into hands-on areas for UNMAM staff and specially trained students. With the galleries as temporary storage and work areas, the staff will carry out collections management activities, including reorganizing vaults, cataloging, accessioning, photographing and assessing the condition of artworks.
Collections Year also includes a significant digital upgrade. Staff will transfer museum records to a robust new database, which will make it possible – for the first time – for anyone to explore and search the UNMAM collection online.
The Beaumont Newhall Study Room will remain open by appointment, offering students, researchers and community members access to works from UNMAM’s collection. UNMAM looks forward to resuming exhibition programming in Fall 2026.
Gifts and database grant led to strategic decision
Collections Year was conceived of as an opportunity and a need last year when UNMAM was approached by various donors who offered gifts of approximately 200 artworks. Those objects must be cataloged, accessioned and properly housed, despite the museum’s art storage space being at capacity.
These significant gifts coincided with UNMAM plans to transfer its database into a new system that provides public online access to its collection – the largest art collection in New Mexico, with more than 30,000 artworks.
The database, The Museum System (TMS) Collections, is made possible through a grant provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. TMS Collections is used by many of New Mexico’s museums and by museums worldwide, including the Louvre, the J. Paul Getty Museum and Tate. It includes eMuseum software, which will permit anyone to view and browse UNMAM collections through our website.
Investing time now to ensure future access
“Our decision to pivot to a year focused on our collection reflects our belief that improving our collection and access to it will make an enduring impact on the museum and our university community,” says UNMAM Director Arif Khan.
He adds that UNMAM is already engaged in reimagining the role of a university art museum. In the case of Collections Year, that vision means taking a step back from exhibitions to move the collection forward and to continue inspiring future generations for decades to come.
Collections Year underscores UNMAM’s mission to provide a range of experiences, including educational and behind-the-scenes opportunities that cannot take place in a traditional gallery or exhibition setting. Select UNM students will assist with all aspects of the collections care initiative, gaining hands-on experience they may never receive elsewhere.
Stay in the know about ‘Collections Year’
Follow along with UNMAM at this exciting time! Visit the UNMAM website regularly for news, get answers to FAQs and sign up for the UNMAM newsletter.
We look forward to sharing information about the gifts soon.