Los Alamos Arts Council Earns 2025 TopHAT Award
Published on November 22, 2025
The Los Alamos Arts Council (LAAC) was recognized Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the 2025 New Mexico Top HAT Awards Gala for excellence in Community Engagement.
This award is in recognition of the hard work and efforts the organization has made to ensure its events and programs drive tourism and economic development opportunities through Los Alamos as well as its multiple partnerships with other nonprofits, small businesses and state entities.
LAAC staff were in attendance on Tuesday, along with members from the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC), Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District, Los Alamos County Economic Development Department, Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Pajarito Environmental Education Center, which also won an award during the evening’s event.
LAAC thanks the LACDC and MainStreet for nominating the organization for this award, and thanks the community partners who have stood by it through thick and thin these last five years as the world has changed how the LAAC plans and executes its programming.
Being recognized in front of industry professionals from around the state who understand the efforts that each organization endeavors to take to brighten their communities while improving their local economy was a delightful experience and the chance to engage with other professionals doing the “boots on the ground” work in New Mexico was a reminder that hard work pays off in more ways than are immediately evident to those in the thick of it.
LAAC hopes that this recognition will give its events another little boost of attention statewide, bringing even more participants to the activities planned in 2026, and opens the door to more partnerships with local hospitality and small businesses as it continues to grow the creative industry in and around the County.
This is a timely reminder, in an uncertain economic climate, that the creative industries in New Mexico are strong and thriving and can be key to a diverse local economy. LAAC will continue to live up to the expectation of delivering strong community programs and working with partners to ensure that the quality of engagement is worthy of this award.
LAAC’s fundraising efforts continue in December. It is only $7,200 shy of its annual fundraising goal and hopes that the community will continue to support LAAC’s efforts to start the New Year in a better financial position. LAAC isn’t out of the woods; fundraising has to continue at a steady pace and it is looking for sponsors for its annual events to ensure that its budget can meet the needs of the programming. LANL employees are encouraged to consider a giving match through the employee giving program. Local businesses that would like to expand their reach and connect with community members at LAAC’s events can consider a sponsorship or business membership. Individual donors are encouraged to set up small, recurring donations; these add up quickly! There are some wonderful fundraising events on LAAC’s calendar, and its events page is updated weekly with all of its offerings, so be sure to check in to see what’s coming up.
With Affordable Arts in full swing at the Fuller Lodge Art Center, everyone is encouraged to visit and shop from one of the more than 150 local and regional New Mexican artists. With gifts for everyone and every budget, purchases made in the gallery gift shop not only support LAAC.
Art Classes and Community Art Programs continue throughout December and LAAC has a robust Winterfest weekend planned with activities on and off campus to complement the County-wide celebrations from Dec. 5-Dec. 8. LAAC will have exciting news about its afterschool programs for the new year later in December, especially for those families waiting to hear about the status of the afterschool studio programs.
The LAAC organization has definitely had a rough few months, but staff and volunteers have continued to deliver on their promise to “Unite the Community Through the Arts” and to support local artists, patrons, visitors, and students. It plans to continue these efforts into 2026, but cannot do it alone. LAAC thanks the community for continuing to stand up for the arts in Los Alamos and hopes the public will visit it over this holiday season.
For more information on becoming a donor, sponsor, member, or attending a class or workshop, visit www.losalamosartscouncil.org or reach out at info@laac-flac.org.