RIO RANCHO CREATIVE CROSSROADS

Recognizing that art in its many forms plays an important role in society, Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads’ goal is to introduce the whole community to a broad range of multi-cultural, varied and innovative styles of art. RRCC also strives to provide exposure to artists and performers as well as to create spaces where these important members of our community can earn a living at their craft. In exchange, we encourage the artisans to give back to the community by mentoring others to ensure the continuation of cultural enrichment in Rio Rancho.

Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads has grown steadily since its inception in 2013, beginning with a chorus of 9 members and numbering 35+ by 2019. We identified the need for a robust community theater in Rio Rancho and were successful in recruiting participants of all ages. To solidify our presence in the community, we will continue to team up with local libraries, hospitals, businesses, and other non-profits to share a wide variety of artistic programming within our community. We will pursue partnerships with other area non-profits to build recognition throughout the community. Reaching out to local charter schools and youth organizations to explore new opportunities will create innovative programs to increase accessibility to the arts throughout Rio Rancho.

Our Board of Directors is dedicated to the success of RRCC and is very involved, continuously seeking funding opportunities and consistently reaching fundraising goals. We are garnering great support from our local government, businesses, area artists and volunteers and have been successful with many of our grant applications. We are highly motivated to accomplish our goals and well positioned to collaborate with all types of organizations and initiate partnerships throughout our community. We pride ourselves on being flexible and nimble which has proved to be an asset in the current pandemic situation, allowing us to embark on virtual rehearsals and performances of the chorus with a minimum of downtime.

Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads’ initial project, Rio Rancho Youth Chorus, has grown from 9 members to over 35. We are recognized as a leading artistic organization for youth (ages 12 – 18) and as an interactive contributor to the cultural life of our community. In collaboration with the Washington, D.C. Folger Shakespeare Library’s National First Folio Traveling Exhibit on display at the New Mexico Museum Art, RRYC presented “Songs from the First Folio”. We also joined the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus, the Zia Singers of Santa Fe and area orchestral musicians to perform Christopher Tin’s original oratorio “The Drop That Contained the Sea”. (Tin’s new work “Shiver the Sky” will hopefully be presented in 2021). RRYC regularly appears at local sporting events and civic functions to sing the National Anthem, and performs mini-concerts for other local non-profits and senior centers. In line with our commitment to raising awareness of needs within our community, we have conducted drives in conjunction with our concerts resulting in pajamas for kids & moms at Haven House; pet supplies for Watermelon Ranch; holiday toys for St. Felix Pantry and sold the “Stanley and the Squeaky Shoes” coloring books to raise funds for children’s shoes. To give our aspiring artists opportunities for live performance experiences, RRCC has been in discussions with local restaurants and other facilities to create regular “open mic nights”. Recently, Rio Rancho Players has secured a dedicated rehearsal/performance space, and future plans include the creation of an “art belt” within our community – a space large enough for artisans to produce and share their skills. While in-person events and activities are suspended at this time for health reasons, RRCC continues to move forward in planning and organizing for a more normal tomorrow including a summer STEAM (STEM+Art) program in collaboration with a local robotics group to “build your own robot”. At the same time we are honing our skills in the virtual world to maintain our programs for today.