NMSA 1978, § 22-15D-1 Short title
22-15D-1. Short title
Chapter 22, Article 15D NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Fine Arts Education Act".
Laws 2003, ch. 152, § 1; 2006, ch. 94, § 50.
Fine Arts Education
NMSA 1978 ch. 22, art. 15D
in effectNMSA 1978, § 22-15D-2 Purpose
22-15D-2. Purpose
A. The purpose of the Fine Arts Education Act is to encourage school districts and state-chartered charter schools to offer opportunities for elementary school students to participate in fine arts activities, including visual arts, music, theater and dance.
B. Participation in fine arts programs encourages cognitive and affective development by:
(1) focusing on a variety of learning styles and engaging students who might otherwise fail;
(2) training students in complex thinking and learning;
(3) helping students to devise creative solutions for problems;
(4) providing students new challenges; and
(5) teaching students how to work cooperatively with others and to understand and value diverse cultures.
Laws 2003, ch. 152, § 2; 2006, ch. 94, § 51.
NMSA 1978, § 22-15D-3 Definition
22-15D-3. Definition
As used in the Fine Arts Education Act, "fine arts education programs" includes programs of education through which students participate in activities related to visual arts, music, theater and dance.
Laws 2003, ch. 152, § 3.
NMSA 1978, § 22-15D-4 Department; powers and duties
22-15D-4. Department; powers and duties
The department shall issue guidelines for the development and implementation of fine arts education programs. The department shall:
A. administer and enforce the provisions of the Fine Arts Education Act; and
B. assist school districts and charter schools in developing and evaluating programs.
Laws 2003, ch. 152, § 4; 2006, ch. 94, § 52.
NMSA 1978, § 22-15D-5 Program plan and evaluation
22-15D-5. Program plan and evaluation
A. A school district or charter school may prepare and submit to the department a fine arts education program plan in accordance with guidelines issued by the department.
B. At a minimum, the plan shall include the fine arts education programs being taught, the ways in which the fine arts are being integrated into the curriculum and an evaluation component.
C. At yearly intervals, the school district or charter school, the department and a parent advisory committee from the school district or charter school shall review the goals and priorities of the plan and make appropriate recommendations to the secretary.
Laws 2003, ch. 152, § 5; 2006, ch. 94, § 53; 2015, ch. 108, § 13.
NMSA 1978, § 22-15D-6 Fine arts education programs; eligibility for state financial support
22-15D-6. Fine arts education programs; eligibility for state financial support
A. To be eligible for state financial support, a fine arts education program shall:
(1) provide for the educational needs of students in the areas of visual arts, music, theater or dance;
(2) integrate the fine arts into the curriculum;
(3) use certified school instructors to supervise those who are teaching the program if those persons do not hold valid teaching licenses in one or more of the disciplines included in fine arts education; and
(4) require background checks in accordance with Section 22-10-3.3 NMSA 1978 [recompiled].
B. A fine arts education program shall meet each requirement of Subsection A of this section and be approved by the department of education [public education department] to be eligible for state financial support.
Laws 2003, ch. 152, § 6.
Source: New Mexico Compilation Commission (nmonesource.com)URL: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa-unanno/en/item/18522/index.doFetched: 10/20/2026