Friends of Civic Plaza is relying on the community to continue the excellent series of programs that have been launched with the Southwest Airlines grant. That’s where you come in! Become a Friend of Civic Plaza and support the free events and community programming you’ve come to expect in downtown’s premiere public space. Please donate to help us reach our goal of making 500 friends and raising $12,500.

Interested in a larger sponsorship for the Plaza? Click here to download the digital brochure. All funds directly support programming and events on the plaza. With your support, we can continue to bring high-quality and valuable events, markets, shows, and activities to the public. These programs encourage community vitality and public stewardship, and reaffirm that downtown Albuquerque’s future is bright and worthy of support.

In the spring of 2015, the DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative was awarded a $200,000 “Heart of the Community” grant from Southwest Airlines, in partnership with the Project for Public Spaces, for placemaking initiatives on Civic Plaza. Since then we’ve begun the transformation of Civic Plaza with our project partner, SMG (the managers of the Convention Center), into a vibrant, exciting, and authentic community space. These new programs, called Civic Plaza Presents, include Movies on the Plaza, ABQ Food Fridays, children’s events and programming, and much more. We’ve held volunteer events for Earth Day, and added colorful tables, chairs, and umbrellas for folks to linger and enjoy this great public space. Become a friend of the Plaza, and help us continue to bring high-quality programming and events to downtown Albuquerque.

On September 25th, the Friends of Civic Plaza campaign launched! Hundreds joined us on September 25th on the plaza to celebrate the launch of this campaign and the award of the Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant. This “Wizard of Oz” themed evening featured tapas and food trucks, beer & wine, children’s activities, a chalk art mural by We Talk Chalk, a costume contest, and more! The event was free, but $25 donations to “Become a Friend” will includes complimentary tapas, beer & wine, and a chance to win a Southwest Airlines ticket. The screening of “Wizard of Oz” at 8pm wrapped up the evening as part of Movies on the Plaza. All proceeds went to the Friends of Civic Plaza.