For nearly 40 years, the Outpost Performance Space has served as the heartbeat of New Mexico’s live music scene, bringing world-class jazz, folk, and blues to Albuquerque while showcasing homegrown local talent. Today, we announce a major step into our next chapter: a $5.2 million capital campaign to expand its physical footprint, broaden music education for local youth, and secure its future for generations to come.
To date, the campaign has raised $2.5 million, backed by major founding contributions from the Kaman Foundation, Fay Abrams, Julie and Jim Goodding, Dean Yannias, Tom and Judy Christopher, Wendy Beach, local advertising agency SUNNY505, Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Café and more than 120 donors. The Outpost Board of Directors launched the campaign with $200,000 in combined gifts. Additionally, a group of 17 volunteers – the Future Fund Circle – has gifted $450,000 cumulatively.
This comprehensive $5.2 million initiative includes:
– A nearly $3 Million Renovation of the Space: Expanded performance areas, upgrade state-of-the-art acoustics, refresh audience seating experience, and expand courtyard.
– The Kaman Music Education Center: A dedicated east-wing facility allowing youth (K-12) classes, workshops, and rehearsals to run simultaneously with main-stage events.
– The Tom Guralnick Legacy Endowment: Honoring founder Tom Guralnick while eliminating debt and ensuring a seamless leadership transition for the future.
Community Support Driving the Vision
The initial $2.5 million momentum stems from key lead donors passionate about New Mexico’s arts landscape:
– The Kaman Foundation is funding the dedicated Kaman Music Education Center. Cathleen Kaman of the Kaman Foundation said: “Today, the Outpost’s education programs are constrained by space and having to work around the main performance schedule. Our donation will allow the renovation of the building’s east wing so the Outpost can offer classes, workshops, and rehearsals throughout the week, significantly expanding youth impact and access.”
– SUNNY505 is funding the expansion of the intimate outdoor courtyard space. “When we saw the plans for the courtyard space, which will not only welcome artists and guests, but also provide an intimate outdoor performance atmosphere, it was a no-brainer for us to say yes,” said Dezaree Vega-Garcia, CEO of SUNNY505.
A Historic Local Landmark with Deep Roots: The current Outpost building has a colorful 70-year history. Originally constructed as a venue for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the building later housed a secretarial school, a sheet music retailer, a martial arts studio, and a recording studio before Guralnick transformed it into a performance venue in 2000.
Outpost By the Numbers (Since 2000):
– 3,500+ concerts presented in Albuquerque.
– $5.3M+ paid directly to local, national, and international musicians.
– 20 New Mexico Jazz Festivals produced (the state’s premier annual jazz event).
– 3,000+ New Mexico students served through music education programs.1 of only 6 venues of its kind in the entire United States.
– Nationally Recognized: Backed by the National Endowment for the Arts, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Lila Wallace Foundation, and Chamber Music America.
For more information on the capital campaign or how to contribute, please contact Outpost Director, Tom Guralnick at 505-268-0044 or email us at mail@outpostspace.org.