Friends of the Orphan Signs

Programs

1. International District Park Art Project: This ongoing project brings together four artists with four distinct communities in Albuquerques International District to co-create a permanent public artwork inspired by roadside signs. Services Provided: Facilitated a structured community-engaged design process where each artist was paired with a different cultural or geographic community to develop concept proposals. Beneficiaries: Engaged over 200 residents through in-person workshops interviews and outreach activities. The final installation expected in 2025 will serve an estimated 5,000+ park users annually. Relevant Outcomes: Co-developed culturally resonant design proposals rooted in the lived experiences of the IDs diverse populations. Built a collaborative model for public art creation grounded in community participation. Advanced a long-term vision for signage as both infrastructure and cultural monument.

   $33,945 spentof which $25,000 as grants
   41% of program spending

2. Its A Sign! Mobile Application: A digital cultural preservation and public education initiative being developed by Friends of the Orphan Signs to document map interpret and promote Albuquerques historic and contemporary roadside signage. The mobile application will map signage across Albuquerque past and present highlighting historic signs surviving commercial landmarks contemporary sign-based artworks and the citys evolving visual landscape. The application will initially focus on Route 66 and 4th Street corridors with planned expansion into additional corridors including Menaul Lomas 2nd Street and Broadway. The project is intended to function as a long-term cultural asset and public archive. Services Provided: Developing a mobile application featuring cultural mapping historical interpretation and public art documentation related to Albuquerques signage history and contemporary sign culture; creating digital educational content focused on roadside infrastructure design and cultural preservation; planning for long-term app maintenance content updates and technical support; implementing public outreach and visibility strategies through social media promotion and community…

   $25,000 spentof which $25,000 as grants
   30% of program spending

3. Wemfer Art Fueled Road Trip Collaboration: A series of large-scale public art installations created by Nazario Sandoval as part of the Route 66 Remixed initiative in Albuquerque New Mexico. The project transformed existing roadside sign structures along historic Route 66 into permanent cultural landmarks celebrating mobility arrival local identity and the visual history of the American roadway. Installations included The Mother Road at the former Jones Surplus sign and Keep Sixty-Six Rolling at 6808 Central Ave SE incorporating salvaged New Mexico license plates hubcaps sourced in Albuquerque mural painting and fabricated steel elements to adaptively reuse commercial sign infrastructure as public art. Services Provided: Managed artist collaboration project coordination fabrication oversight installation logistics and public art stewardship through Friends of the Orphan Signs; coordinated with the City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture property owners and community partners; facilitated adaptive reuse of existing roadside sign structures; sourced and incorporated reclaimed materials including hundreds of New Mexico license plates and locally collected hubcaps; supported…

   $15,000 spentof which $15,000 as grants
   18% of program spending

4. Symbiosis: A public art residency program in Albuquerques International District that fostered mutually beneficial relationships between artists and surrounding communities through socially engaged public art. Four artists participated in four-month residencies developing temporary artworks for installation on the sign at 6720 Central Ave. Artists collaborated directly with local organizations and community members using engagement and relationship-building to inform their creative work. One residency focused on documenting and publicly exhibiting portraits and stories of Asian American business owners in the International District highlighting the cultural and economic contributions of immigrant-owned businesses. Services Provided: Supported four artist residencies; provided stipends public art exhibition opportunities and community engagement support; facilitated collaborations with community organizations including Albuquerque Mutual Aid Art Street Off Center Arts and United Voices for Newcomers Rights; coordinated temporary public art installations; supported resource distribution and participatory art-making activities with community members; and facilitated documentary-style…

   $9,320 spentof which $7,930 as grants
   11% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990-EZ. Program spending in total: $83,265.