Connie Gotsch Foundation Closing Doors

After 11 years of supporting local arts and artists, the Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation will close its doors at the end of the year. Local artists' sculptures have been erected in Downtown Farmington for the second year of Art in the Heart of Farmington. Celebrate the 2024 Paddling Film Festival at Totah Theater on May 26th, and during a May 6th visit to the Southern Ute Tribe, Senator Michael Bennet and Commissioner Camille Touton announced $2.3 million in funding for the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project. You're watching the Local News Roundup brought to you by SunRay Park & Casino and Three Rivers Brewery. I'm Connor Shrieve. After more than 10 years of supporting local arts organizations, projects, and individuals, the Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation will close its doors this December. The foundation was started in 2013 with funding from the estate of local artist and radio host Connie Gotsch, who passed away in 2012. She wanted part of her estate to go towards supporting and uplifting local artists and art programs. The one and a half million dollars the foundation started with grew to two, all put towards supporting local programs. Beneficiaries include San Juan Symphony, San Juan College Foundation, the City of Farmington, Caliente Community Chorus, San Juan Jazz Society, and Southwest Civic Winds to name a few. The impacts of the foundation are already apparent in the creation of programs in Farmington and Aztec and will expand through the young people who were encouraged to pick up a paintbrush or an instrument through one of the foundation-funded programs. Everything does, of course, come to an end however, and the foundation will end December 31st. Applications for grants and scholarships that will be completed by December 15th are still being accepted through October 1st. You might have noticed some new sculptures around town. 11 new pieces were installed May 9th and 10th in Downtown Farmington. The art is part of the downtown sculpture program that launched with nine sculptures last spring. The program was started to encourage local artists to produce work that may then be purchased by the public. Four of last year's pieces were purchased by the City of Farmington, and the overwhelming response to the program has been positive. The new sculptures will be on loan to the city for one year. Make sure to pick up a new sculpture guide once they're available to learn about this year's artist and sculpture lineup. During a visit to the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council on May 6th, Senator Michael Bennet and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Touton announced $2.3 million in funding for the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project. The funding, through the Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Program, will enable infrastructure upgrades on tribal lands. The project includes upgrading the water system to provide reliable water levels and to enable the tribe to divert its full allocation of water during low flows. During the visit, Senator Bennet said he was grateful to help the Southern Ute Tribe access the water it needs, calling the project a great start. On Sunday, May 20, the Todah Theater will play host to the 2024 Paddling Film Festival World Tour. Come enjoy a selection of this year's best paddling movies with the release of the new "Desert River Logger." There will be giveaways hosted by Desert River Guides, Jack's Plastic Welding, and Alpacka Rafts. The screening's presented by the River Reach Foundation with support from Desert River Guides, Jack's Plastic Welding, and KOBFTV Farmington. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. Learn more about these and other stories online at farmingtonlocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shrieve.