Our Journey
It Started With a Movement
2017
The #SaveTheGreer Movement Begins
Following the announcement that Santa Fe University of Art and Design (SFUAD) would close, former College of Santa Fe faculty members and alumni launched a grassroots Facebook movement called #SaveTheGreer.
The movement quickly mobilized alumni from both the College of Santa Fe and SFUAD, along with artists, educators, and community members who believed the Greer Garson Theatre Center should remain a performing arts venue serving future generations.
What began as an online conversation soon grew into a community-wide effort to preserve one of Northern New Mexico's most important cultural assets.
2018
From Movement to Organization
As support for the #SaveTheGreer movement continued to grow, community leaders recognized the need for a formal organization that could help guide advocacy efforts and represent the interests of artists, alumni, and community stakeholders.
In 2018, the movement was formally incorporated as LiveArts Santa Fe, creating the foundation for what would become a long-term community arts organization.
Throughout the year, volunteers worked to build the organization's structure by recruiting board members, developing governance practices, establishing operational procedures, and gathering input from the community about the future of the Greer Garson Theatre Center.
Community conversations helped shape the organization's early vision and reinforced a shared belief that the Greer should continue serving as a performing arts venue and community gathering space.
While advocacy remained the primary focus, this period marked an important transition from a grassroots movement into an organization capable of pursuing long-term solutions and building partnerships throughout Santa Fe.
2019–2021
Building a Movement During Uncertain Times
Following incorporation, LiveArts Santa Fe focused on transforming the energy of the #SaveTheGreer movement into a sustainable community organization.
Almost immediately, the organization found itself navigating one of the most challenging periods in modern history. The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted the performing arts industry, forcing venues to close, productions to be canceled, and arts organizations across the country to rethink their futures.
At the same time, the City of Santa Fe was pursuing broader redevelopment plans for the former Santa Fe University of Art and Design campus. The approximately 64-acre Midtown property presented both tremendous opportunity and significant challenges.
During this period, the City entered into discussions with a development group to explore the future of the campus. Ultimately, the development effort did not move forward, as the scale, complexity, and financial requirements of redeveloping the entire Midtown campus proved too great for a single developer to undertake.
As redevelopment plans evolved, uncertainty surrounding the future of the Greer Garson Theatre Center continued.
Despite these challenges, LiveArts remained committed to its mission. Volunteers, alumni, artists, educators, and community supporters continued advocating for the preservation of the Greer while participating in community conversations and stakeholder engagement efforts focused on the future of Midtown.
As these discussions continued, the vision for LiveArts began to grow.
What started as a campaign to save a building evolved into conversations about creating a community arts hub that could support performances, education, artist development, and public engagement for generations to come.
The challenges of the pandemic and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the campus reinforced the importance of strong community connections and accessible arts opportunities. During this period, many of the ideas that would later shape LiveArts Santa Fe—including arts education initiatives, artist support programs, community programming, and expanded public access—began to take form.
Although progress on the Greer was slower than many had hoped, the movement endured. The relationships built, lessons learned, and vision developed during these years laid the foundation for the next chapter of LiveArts Santa Fe.
2022
From Advocacy to Action
2022 marked a turning point for LiveArts Santa Fe.
Redevelopment Proposal
LiveArts submitted a proposal to the City of Santa Fe to redevelop and operate the Greer Garson Theatre Center.
As discussions progressed, it became clear that securing development partners and financing a project of this scale would be difficult for a young nonprofit. LiveArts proposed an alternative model in which the City would retain ownership and maintenance responsibilities while partnering with a nonprofit operator to activate and manage the facility.
This proposal helped shape future discussions regarding the building's redevelopment and long-term sustainability.
Launch of LiveArts Cabaret
In the fall of 2022, LiveArts launched a pilot program known as LiveArts Cabaret.
The program operated as a roaming venue series featuring local performers in community spaces throughout Santa Fe. Admission was offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, helping eliminate barriers for audiences while ensuring funds raised each evening were distributed directly among the artists.
The success of the pilot demonstrated the community's desire for accessible arts programming and artist-centered performance opportunities.
Relaunch of the Young Creators Project
That same year, LiveArts partnered with the Southside Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library to relaunch a pilot version of the Young Creators Project (YCP).
The program served approximately fifteen students and focused on creativity, storytelling, collaboration, and artistic expression.
The pilot reinforced the importance of accessible arts education and helped establish the foundation for future youth programming efforts.
2023
Exploring New Paths Forward
As planning continued, the City initiated an Economic Needs Assessment (ENA) process and broader community engagement efforts to evaluate the future of the Greer Garson Theatre Center and the Midtown campus.
The City expressed support for the project and explored potential funding opportunities, including a framework that would have combined public and private investment. However, legal and financial limitations, including challenges associated with New Mexico's anti-donation provisions, ultimately prevented that funding model from moving forward.
While progress on the building slowed, the community conversation around the Greer remained active.
During this same period, LiveArts Santa Fe officially received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation, providing a stronger foundation for future advocacy and programming efforts.
2024
A Time of Transition
As redevelopment efforts stalled and uncertainty surrounding the future of the Greer continued, LiveArts entered a period of organizational transition.
Many of the individuals who had helped launch the original #SaveTheGreer movement stepped back from day-to-day involvement, while others remained committed to carrying the mission forward.
During this period, supporters of the Greer continued advocacy efforts through multiple channels. Former members of the movement established the Greer Garson Performing Arts Alliance, creating an additional community voice advocating for the reopening and activation of the facility.
While the organizations pursued different approaches, both shared a common goal: ensuring the Greer Garson Theatre Center remains a vibrant performing arts resource for future generations.
This period of reflection ultimately helped LiveArts redefine its future, expanding its focus beyond advocacy alone and laying the groundwork for new programming initiatives and community partnerships.
2025
Rebuilding and Reengaging
With new city leadership in place and renewed conversations surrounding Midtown, LiveArts began rebuilding organizational capacity and reengaging stakeholders.
The organization expanded its focus beyond advocacy alone and recommitted itself to community programming, artist support, and arts education.
Programs such as LiveArts Cabaret continued to grow while new planning efforts emerged around youth education, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.
2026
Building the Next Chapter
Today, LiveArts Santa Fe continues to advocate for the future activation of the Greer Garson Theatre Center while expanding programming throughout the community.
The organization is actively developing the Young Creators Project, strengthening community partnerships, supporting local artists through LiveArts Cabaret, and exploring opportunities for future educational and cultural initiatives.
The focus has evolved from simply saving a building to building a stronger and more accessible performing arts community for all.
Looking Ahead
The #SaveTheGreer Movement Begins
Following the announcement that Santa Fe University of Art and Design (SFUAD) would close, former College of Santa Fe faculty member Cheryl Odom and alum Rueben Greenwald launched a grassroots Facebook movement called #SaveTheGreer.
The movement quickly mobilized alumni from both the College of Santa Fe and SFUAD, along with artists, educators, and community members who believed the Greer Garson Theatre Center should remain a performing arts venue serving future generations.
What began as an online conversation soon grew into a community-wide effort to preserve one of Northern New Mexico's most important cultural assets.
The Long Vision
The future of LiveArts Santa Fe is guided by three interconnected pillars:
Conservatory
Professional training and education opportunities for future artists and creative professionals.
Repertory Company
A resident company of artists producing innovative, artist-driven work.
Community Programs
Accessible performances, workshops, educational opportunities, outreach initiatives, and partnerships that remove barriers to participation in the arts.
Together, these pillars represent a future where creativity, education, and community thrive side by side.
The Greer brought us together.
The mission carries us forward.
And the next chapter is still being written.