Las Cruces Museums

Las Cruces Museums Explore history, art, science & culture with the Las Cruces Museums!

The Las Cruces Museum System provides our communities with diverse and holistic experiences so that they can be inspired to learn, connect, and explore. The Las Cruces Museum System includes the Museum of Nature & Science, the historic Las Cruces Railroad Museum, the Museum of Art, and the Branigan Cultural Center. For more information about our Museums and Current Events visit us online at LasCruces.gov/Museums

It's and we want to know what this is and what museum it's in. Hint: Not quite stars, but still stellar fun!
09/02/2026

It's and we want to know what this is and what museum it's in.

Hint: Not quite stars, but still stellar fun!

Take a tour through the solar system, visit animals from the Chihuahuan desert, and travel back in time with our fossils...
09/01/2026

Take a tour through the solar system, visit animals from the Chihuahuan desert, and travel back in time with our fossils and Prehistoric Trackways during our "Neurodivergent Nights" extended hours at the Museum of Nature & Science!

Join us for an evening designed with neurodiverse visitors in mind. During our "Neurodivergent Nights," we lower the lights, reduce noise, and create a calm, welcoming environment across our museum spaces. Explore exhibits at your own pace, connect with others, and enjoy a sensory-friendly experience after hours.

Admission is free and open to all ages.

Come to our next "Neurodivergent Night" on Thursday, September 3, from 4pm to 6pm at the Museum of Nature & Science! "Neurodivergent Nights" are held weekly, so stop in ANY Thursday afternoon!

Have some fun, join in our activities, and wander amongst friends.

For additional information contact Mina Stafford, Education Manager, at [email protected] or (575) 541-2160/TTY 711.

They say you are what you eat and Leatherback sea turtles live up to that! They live on sea grass and green algae which ...
09/01/2026

They say you are what you eat and Leatherback sea turtles live up to that! They live on sea grass and green algae which makes things like their body fat and their cartilage bright green.

Come down and see this in action at "Animal Feedings" on Saturday, September 5, at 11am when we feed your shelled friends.

The Museum of Nature & Science is located at 411 N. Main St. and is FREE to the public! All ages are welcome.

For more information, contact Lea Harriss, Museum Assistant (Living Collections), at [email protected] or (575) 528-3472/TTY 711.

This week is the opening of "4 Common Corners Presents: Cottonwood" at the Branigan Cultural Center!Stop by for the open...
09/01/2026

This week is the opening of "4 Common Corners Presents: Cottonwood" at the Branigan Cultural Center!

Stop by for the opening reception for this exhibit from 5pm to 7pm this Friday, September 4. Featured artist, Lynn Welsch, of the 4 Common Corners group will be in attendance to talk about the inspiration for the exhibit and provide insight into the creative process behind each piece.

In the meantime, take a sneak peak at some of the featured pieces of artwork!

The exhibit will be open at the Branigan Cultural Center from September 4, until January 2, 2027. We are open Tuesday through Thursdays from 10am to 4:30pm and Saturdays from 9am to 4:30pm.



Photo Credits:
1. "View From Acklin Hill" by Lynn Welsch
2. "Dappled Light" by Michelle Jackson
3. "Bringing Forth Life and Giving Growth" by Shannon Conley

Did you know the Las Cruces Museums have multiple Pre-K programs every single week?! Join us for these fun, FREE program...
09/01/2026

Did you know the Las Cruces Museums have multiple Pre-K programs every single week?! Join us for these fun, FREE programs at our museums this week.

WEDNESDAY, September 2: “Mr. Nero’s Pre-K" at the Branigan Cultural Center, 501 N. Main St., at 10am. Join us for puppet shows, crafts, and more creativity centered on culture!

THURSDAY, September 3: “Nature & Science Discovery Pre-K" at the Museum of Nature & Science, 411 N. Main St., featuring the same lesson starting at 9am, 10am, and 11am. Explore science with a story and hands on activities!

Admission to the Museums and these programs are FREE. No registration necessary.

For additional information contact Shelly Richard, Curator (Education), at [email protected] or (575) 541-2179/TTY 711.

Museum of Art Studio Programs has changed!Firstly, we at the Museum of Art would like to thank all our patrons for their...
08/29/2026

Museum of Art Studio Programs has changed!

Firstly, we at the Museum of Art would like to thank all our patrons for their patience in this matter during this time of transition.

Studio Programs will now be holding regular Open Studio hours for the ceramics classroom as a pilot program, and holding semi-regular workshops on Saturdays beginning in August.

Registration will be required for both Open Studio use, and workshops, but both will be free and can now be found at our website, LasCruces.gov/Museums, under the "Upcoming Events" calendar during the registration period.

You can access the registration from the calendar on the dates that registration is open. The details for the dates or duration of each event will be listed in the details.

An email will be sent out to let you know that your registration will be pending approval. Shortly after, Brandon Navarro, Studio Program Coordinator, will reach out to you with a "Studio Use Agreement." This agreement must be filled out, signed, and returned to Brandon before your registration can be approved.

Registration for "Ceramics Open Studio" will start Tuesday, September 1, and close on Saturday, September 26. Registration will be limited, and Open Studio space will be on a first-come first-serve basis, based on available studio spaces at the wheel or at a table.

For more information, contact Brandon Navarro, Outreach Specialist (Education), at [email protected] or (575) 541-2155/TTY 711.

Calling all Mural Artists!The Las Cruces Museum System is seeking an artist to create a mural inside the Museum of Natur...
08/28/2026

Calling all Mural Artists!

The Las Cruces Museum System is seeking an artist to create a mural inside the Museum of Nature & Science. The mural concept, location, and project goals have already been established.

The selected artist will be expected to complete the art project by the negotiated date determined by the committee. The selected Artist would be expected to attend a dedication ceremony on Saturday, November 7, at 2:30 P.M.

This mural will be installed in the Atrium Space between the Museum of Art and the Museum of Nature & Science. It will be a starry sky scene with silhouettes of a boy and girl looking at a telescope pointed toward the stars with the Organ Mountains in the background. This mural will be approximately 10′ x 8′. At this point in time we are looking into the logistics of moving a fire extinguisher. As such, we are looking at roughly a 10 x 8 ft mural (with fire extinguisher remaining in place) or a 12 x 8 ft mural (if the fire extinguisher can be moved).

The chosen artist for this mural will be paid $1,500 for their time in creating this art piece and $250 for materials.

Deadline for application submissions is Thursday, October 15, at 5 P.M. MDT. The selection committee will meet the following week, with applicants informed of decisions within a two-week time frame from the closing of applications.

Are you interested in applying? Please visit LasCruces.gov/OpenCalls and click the button under "Call for Mural Artist – Predetermined Mural Project Application."

If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Fall is approaching, and so is our next "Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museums!"On Friday, September 18, "Moonlight" is ...
08/28/2026

Fall is approaching, and so is our next "Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museums!"

On Friday, September 18, "Moonlight" is back for a "Fall Fun Fundraiser!" This night at the Museums on Main Street starts at 5pm and ends at 9pm and will feature crafted drinks from Dry Point Distillers of Las Cruces, food from a food truck, and live music!

Entry is FREE and exclusively for Adults 21+ with a valid Government issued ID on hand. Food from the food truck and drinks from the cash bar can be purchased during the event.

This Moonlight is slightly different than the others; we will be focusing the fun on the Branigan Cultural Center and the Museum Courtyard! We will have the Museum of Art open, but no food or drink will be allowed inside it.

Entry for the night will be through the courtyard gates on Main Street, NOT the Museum of Nature & Science. Entry will close at 8:15pm, so make sure to show up before the gates are locked!

The main attraction this "Moonlight" is the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums spirit tasting fundraiser! For $15 per person, attendees will receive four separate half-ounce tastes of Dry Point's handcrafted spirits during a 25-minute session, tasting notes about the liquors, and a surprise party favor. The sessions begin at 5:30 pm and continue through until 8 pm. These tickets are not required to enter the Moonlight program, but are required for the tasting.

Tickets are available for pre-purchase Foundation for Las Cruces Museums link here, or for purchase that night at their table: https://www.Zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/moonlight-tasting.

Find out more about the tasting with the Facebook event link here: https://www.facebook.com/events/907739309061596/

To find out more about Moonlight, please visit our Facebook Event page: https://www.Facebook.com/events/2520086505137730.

For additional information contact Emilia Linley, Museum Manager (Visitor Experience), at [email protected] or (575) 541-2321/TTY 711.

Today is the Final Friday of August so we’re giving a Birthday Shout-out to our staff member celebrating an August Birth...
08/28/2026

Today is the Final Friday of August so we’re giving a Birthday Shout-out to our staff member celebrating an August Birthday.

For August we're celebrating Ellie Mouchet, our Museum Co-Op (Collections). We hope that your birthday is as much fun as you are, but that sets a very high standard with you around, Ellie!

The biodiversity found at White Sands National Park ranges from vegetation to insects and seasonal playas. All this crea...
08/27/2026

The biodiversity found at White Sands National Park ranges from vegetation to insects and seasonal playas. All this creates a unique world that is captured in the exhibit “Into the Great White Sands: Photographs by Craig Varjabedian.”

Sadly, the exhibit closes next Saturday, September 5, so be sure to visit the Branigan Cultural Center to see the amazing 26 images that make up this exhibit!

The “Into the Great White Sands” photographic collection is owned by the NMSU Library, Archives, and Special Collections.



Image: New Bloom Yucca and Sky, Spring. Photograph by ©Craig Varjabedian

Address

Las Cruces, NM

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 4:30pm
Thursday 10am - 4:30pm
Friday 10am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15755223120

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Las Cruces Museums posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category