Roswell Museum and Art Center

The Roswell Museum and Art Center (RMAC) opened in 1937, deriving its initial support from the WPA as part of a Depression era project to promote public art centers nationwide.

Today, the RMAC is among a handful of these Federal Art Centers that remain in operation. Presently, the museum is operated by the City of Roswell and receives additional support from the Roswell Museum and Art Cener Foundation, a 501 (c)(3). The museum's 50,000 foot facility includes twelve galleries dedicated to the exhibition of the art and history of the American Southwest, the Patricia Lubben Bassett Art Education Center, and the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium.

The museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is southern New Mexico's pre-eminent museum. Throughout the year, the museum offers changing exhibitions, docent tours for children and adults, studio art classes, outreach to the schools, lectures, an international film series, Second Saturday art experiences, and signature events including the Art Block Party and Chalk Art Festival (October) and the Alien Costume Contest (July).

The museum is known for the caliber of its programs and services to the community. Operation of the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium is a unique collaboration between the museum and the Roswell Independent School District. The planetarium offers Science Saturdays and Science Tuesdays, and field trips for schools can be arranged.