DCA Launches New Online Portal for Invite an Educator Program

October 8th, 2020

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) has launched a new website devoted to the Invite a DCA Educator program. This new online portal simplifies the process of welcoming an expert from one of the divisions of the DCA into a virtual classroom setting.

By visiting https://dcaeducates.nmculture.org and filling out a request form, school teachers, homeschool instructors, afterschool clubs, and community organizations can schedule an online visit from an educator to discuss a variety of subjects related to the DCA. The new website allows users to navigate through available programs via presenter, age group, or topic.

Submissions are forwarded to the appropriate DCA division, which will then coordinate with the individual or organization that made the request.

With school districts across New Mexico currently operating remotely or under a hybrid online/in-person model, the Invite a DCA Educator program offers a timely opportunity for students to engage with and learn from educators and experts about the cultures, science, history, and art found across the state, all while in a safe, virtual environment.

“We have had tremendous success connecting the educators from the Department of Cultural Affairs to classrooms around the state, and the new Invite a DCA Educator program website will make it even easier for teachers to identify programs that will work with their curriculum,” said State Librarian Eli Guinnee.

Since the Invite a DCA Educator program kicked off in April, about 60 presentations have taken place in virtual classroom across New Mexico, reaching students in Artesia, Moriarty, Roswell, Alamogordo, Portales, Zuni, Zia, Bayard, Silver City, Farmington, Des Moines, Los Lunas, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Valencia, Taos, and Jemez Springs. 

The DCA includes eight museums, seven historic sites, New Mexico Arts, the Office of Archeological Studies, the Historic Preservation Division, and the New Mexico State Library.

About the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, seven historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, the DCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation. Together, the facilities, programs, and services of the Department support a $5.6 billion cultural industry in New Mexico.

Events, news releases, and images related to activities in divisions of the DCA can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org.

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