SITE Santa Fe facts for kids
An art exhibition at SITE Santa Fe in 1995.
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| Established | February 1, 1995 |
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| Location | 1606 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Type | Contemporary art museum |
| Visitors | ~35,000/year |
SITE Santa Fe is a special place for contemporary art located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It's a nonprofit, which means its main goal is to share art with the public, not to make money.
Since it opened in 1995, SITE has become famous for its big art shows. It has hosted 11 international biennials. A biennial is a huge art festival that happens every two years. SITE has also shown the work of over 800 artists from all over the world in many other exhibitions.
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What is SITE Santa Fe?
SITE Santa Fe is more than just a museum. It's a center for new and exciting art. It was one of the first places in the United States to host an international biennial for contemporary art.
Art from Around the World
SITE shows art from artists living all over the globe. It often gives artists a chance to show their work in the U.S. for the first time. The museum also supports local talent. About one out of every five artists shown at SITE is from New Mexico.
Learning and Fun
SITE Santa Fe also offers many programs for the public. These events connect to the art you see in the exhibitions. You can listen to artists and curators talk about their work, watch movies, or see live performances.
There are also fun, hands-on workshops for people of all ages. SITE works with Santa Fe Public Schools and other local groups to create these learning opportunities.
The History of SITE
The idea for SITE Santa Fe began in 1992 with a local gallery owner named Laura Carpenter. She helped raise over $1 million to get the project started.
From a Warehouse to an Art Space
A large part of the money was used to change an old warehouse by the railroad tracks into a modern art gallery. The new space, designed by architect Richard Gluckman, had 19,000 square feet for showing art.
The Famous Biennials
The very first biennial opened on July 14, 1995. The goal was to create the only international biennial for contemporary art in the United States. The first show featured 31 artists from 13 different countries.
Over the years, many famous curators have organized the biennials. After the first one was a big success, SITE decided to show art all year round, not just during the festivals.
Growing and Changing
In 2011, SITE started a new series of biennials called SITE lines: New Perspectives on Art of the Americas. This series focuses on art and culture from North, Central, and South America. It often highlights stories and viewpoints that haven't been shared widely before.
In the summer of 2016, SITE began a major expansion project. The museum reopened a year later with a new, larger building. This new space allows SITE to show more art and host more events for visitors and students.
SITE Santa Fe Today
Like many places, SITE Santa Fe had to close for a while during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep everyone safe. It has since reopened and continues to be an important center for art and culture in Santa Fe.
