Audience & Impact

The Lensic’s programs reach the students who need support accessing arts education the most. Our programs reach 13,000 students every year, including students at every school in the Santa Fe Public School district. Our programs create completely free and frictionless experiences for these students, from covering costs for the buses that take students to free matinees at our historic theater, to bringing world-class artists into classrooms for intimate masterclasses that fit within a normal school day’s schedule.

The Santa Fe Public School district, which our programs mostly serve, reports seventy percent of students are on the Free/Reduced Price Lunch program, indicating a high number of students are living in low-income households. With limited funding for arts education, school districts in New Mexico need the support of programs like the Lensic’s to provide the vital experience of exposure and involvement with the arts.

In the 23/24 school year, the Lensic welcomed over 8,600 students to theater for sixteen matinees as a part of the COMPASS (Comprehensive Arts for Student Success) program. These performances have represented a diverse array of genres and artists and have included bilingual programming.

“We’ve been especially grateful that the Lensic has committed to including performances that reflect the lived experiences and cultural heritage of our student populations, aligning with district goals of implementing culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and learning.”

– Cristina Gonzales, Arts Education Coordinator for the Santa Fe Public Schools

In addition to reaching every school in the Santa Fe Public School District, our programs impact students in Pecos, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque, well as homeschool students. These programs support academic curriculum, encourage creativity, keep students engaged and in school, and introduce potential careers.