Robb Trust Annual Underwriting
Photo by UNM Communications and Marketing staff member Hyunju Blemel
Call for Proposals 2025
Supporting the study, propagation, production, and/or performance of the music of John Donald Robb and embodying Robb’s commitment to education and music of the U.S. Southwest
Note: This page is not optimized for mobile devices. Use a computer, laptop, or tablet for optimal viewing.
About
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust underwrites scholarly research, projects, educational programs, events, and/or performances that align with the Trust’s Mission and Vision. Successful grant proposals will be underwritten for up to $5,000 to be disbursed in two separate payments, at the discretion of the Robb Trust.
Apply
Note: Grants are not renewable. Successful recipients may re-apply for Robb Underwriting for a new project proposal following a one-year hiatus. Past applicants that have not received funding are encouraged to reapply.
Proposal Criteria
Proposals may be made by individuals or organizations. Scholarly research, projects, educational programs, events and/or performances must use materials from the John Donald Robb Collections housed in the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections (CSWR) and must accomplish one or more of the following objectives:
Proposals will be evaluated based on how closely the proposed project aligns with the above objectives. Additional evaluation criteria include:
Note: Applicants proposing the creation of a newly composed work utilizing Robb’s collections should instead direct their inquiry to the UNM Robb Commission Committee.
Priority will be given to
Required Application Materials
1. Cover letter – one page max, signed by the applicant/organizational representative, providing the following:
2. Project description (max 2000 words) providing the following:
3. UNM CSWR John Donald Robb Archive Information – one page max
4. Detailed Project Budget (up to 5,000 USD) – one page max
5. Key personnel/staff
Underwriting Agreement
Successful underwriting recipients will receive an Underwriting Agreement which requires a signature indicating willingness to administer the funds as set forth in your proposal. For underwriting opportunities for non-profits, a signature is required from the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer or Officer of the Board of the organization.
Reporting
At the mid-point of the project, or no later than November 15, 2025, a brief (500-word) progress report will be required prior to the second disbursement of funds. The report should detail progress toward goals and objectives as well as details about expenditures to-date. It is imperative that the report incorporates a description of what archival material is being used and how. All recipients are required to submit a final written report about the results of the project, including expenditures of underwriting funds. Underwriting recipients should be able to produce all project receipts if requested. Final report due date: May 15, 2026.
Questions? Please email committee chair, Dr. Ana Alonso-Minutti [email protected].
Click the link below to download a PDF copy of the above proposal criteria:
2025 Robb Underwriting Call
- Scholarly Research
- Projects
- Events
- Performances
- Educational Programs
Supporting the study, propagation, production, and/or performance of the music of John Donald Robb and embodying Robb’s commitment to education and music of the U.S. Southwest
Note: This page is not optimized for mobile devices. Use a computer, laptop, or tablet for optimal viewing.
About
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust underwrites scholarly research, projects, educational programs, events, and/or performances that align with the Trust’s Mission and Vision. Successful grant proposals will be underwritten for up to $5,000 to be disbursed in two separate payments, at the discretion of the Robb Trust.
Apply
- Application deadline: April 15, 2025
- Submit completed proposal via email to: [email protected]
- Successful grantees will be notified by: May 1, 2025
Note: Grants are not renewable. Successful recipients may re-apply for Robb Underwriting for a new project proposal following a one-year hiatus. Past applicants that have not received funding are encouraged to reapply.
Proposal Criteria
Proposals may be made by individuals or organizations. Scholarly research, projects, educational programs, events and/or performances must use materials from the John Donald Robb Collections housed in the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections (CSWR) and must accomplish one or more of the following objectives:
- Support the study, propagation, production, and/or performance of the music of John Donald Robb
- Embody John Donald Robb’s commitment to education and to advance the understanding of music of the U.S. Southwest
Proposals will be evaluated based on how closely the proposed project aligns with the above objectives. Additional evaluation criteria include:
- Quality and clarity of the project description
- Overall project plan
- Quality of budget
- Evaluation methods
- Proposed outcome and/or impact
Note: Applicants proposing the creation of a newly composed work utilizing Robb’s collections should instead direct their inquiry to the UNM Robb Commission Committee.
Priority will be given to
- Projects not previously funded by this program
- Projects with a significant local community engagement / regional broad impact / new pedagogical approaches
- Projects engaging with archival sources in novel, critical, and creative ways
Required Application Materials
- All documentation must be typed and single spaced
- Do not include materials other than those requested at this time
- Incomplete applications and late submissions will not be considered
- Provide all application materials below in the order listed, using the headings provided
1. Cover letter – one page max, signed by the applicant/organizational representative, providing the following:
- Date of application
- Legal name of organization/individual to which underwriting would be paid
- Project title and brief project description
- Primary contact person and title
- Address
- Primary phone number
- Website (if applicable)
- E-mail address
- Have you applied to this funding opportunity before? Disclose any previous experience with this underwriting program
2. Project description (max 2000 words) providing the following:
- Project title, goals, objectives, and scope (max 500 words)
- Project activities and archival material: include all planned activities and how do you plan to incorporate archival material in your project (max 500 words)
- Timeline: include start and end dates of the entire project and approximate dates of project activities (max 200 words)
- Audience: who will be served by your project? (max 200 words)
- Evaluation methods/tools: how will you measure your success? (max 300 words)
- Expected outcomes and impact (max 300 words)
3. UNM CSWR John Donald Robb Archive Information – one page max
- Provide detailed information about the specific collection(s) you plan to consult for your project, including 1-2 concrete examples that interest you. You may end up using other materials, but we are interested in what you discover and/or plan to use via a preliminary exploration (online or in-person) of the Robb Archive
- Include the anticipated dates for your visit to the UNM CSWR for archival consultation
4. Detailed Project Budget (up to 5,000 USD) – one page max
- Provide line-item descriptions and estimates of project income and expenses
- Provide amounts and descriptions of any grants/underwriting already received for the proposed project
- Provide amounts and information about any pending funding/grants
5. Key personnel/staff
- List key personnel and project roles and include a CV or bio detailing their expertise
Underwriting Agreement
Successful underwriting recipients will receive an Underwriting Agreement which requires a signature indicating willingness to administer the funds as set forth in your proposal. For underwriting opportunities for non-profits, a signature is required from the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer or Officer of the Board of the organization.
Reporting
At the mid-point of the project, or no later than November 15, 2025, a brief (500-word) progress report will be required prior to the second disbursement of funds. The report should detail progress toward goals and objectives as well as details about expenditures to-date. It is imperative that the report incorporates a description of what archival material is being used and how. All recipients are required to submit a final written report about the results of the project, including expenditures of underwriting funds. Underwriting recipients should be able to produce all project receipts if requested. Final report due date: May 15, 2026.
Questions? Please email committee chair, Dr. Ana Alonso-Minutti [email protected].
Click the link below to download a PDF copy of the above proposal criteria:
2025 Robb Underwriting Call
2024 Underwriting Recipient
Theresa J. Córdova, Ph.D. ~ Los Pastores Teatro Camp and Performances
Dr. Theresa J. Córdova
Independent scholar, Dr. Theresa J. Córdova earned a Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of New Mexico in 2012. She serves as the founder, director and curator of Las Pistoleras Instituto Cultural de Arte in El Prado, New Mexico. Las Pistoleras Instituto Cultural de Arte opened its doors in 2013 as a communal space where cultura, activism and the arts are at the forefront of community identity.
Dr. Córdova also remains active in the continual mission of Sangre de Cristo Liturgies, an organization founded by her father, the late Arsenio Córdova in 1981. Sangre de Cristo Liturgies is devoted to the preservation and recovery of the history, traditions and culture of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Sangre de Cristo Liturgies fosters its mission through the use of theatre, music and lectures. Arsenio Córdova’s family and cast continue his work and his vision. For the past 42 years, Sangre de Cristo Liturgies has presented the play “Los Pastores” in various Catholic churches, universities and theaters throughout northern New Mexico, southern Colorado and in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua. Despite the passing of Arsenio in 2019, the cast of Los Pastores continues their presentations through the direction and active participation of the Arsenio Córdova family.
Currently, Dr. Córdova also follows her lifelong passion of cultural preservation by connecting her Chican@ community in Taos county and throughout New Mexico to various digital humanities projects that include the honorable and privileged role of digitization and collection of contemporary oral histories that will ensure a continued presence of our rich cultural and political histories over time and space.
Dr. Córdova also remains active in the continual mission of Sangre de Cristo Liturgies, an organization founded by her father, the late Arsenio Córdova in 1981. Sangre de Cristo Liturgies is devoted to the preservation and recovery of the history, traditions and culture of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Sangre de Cristo Liturgies fosters its mission through the use of theatre, music and lectures. Arsenio Córdova’s family and cast continue his work and his vision. For the past 42 years, Sangre de Cristo Liturgies has presented the play “Los Pastores” in various Catholic churches, universities and theaters throughout northern New Mexico, southern Colorado and in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua. Despite the passing of Arsenio in 2019, the cast of Los Pastores continues their presentations through the direction and active participation of the Arsenio Córdova family.
Currently, Dr. Córdova also follows her lifelong passion of cultural preservation by connecting her Chican@ community in Taos county and throughout New Mexico to various digital humanities projects that include the honorable and privileged role of digitization and collection of contemporary oral histories that will ensure a continued presence of our rich cultural and political histories over time and space.
Los Pastores Teatro Camp
Los Pastores Teatro Camp includes six sessions of education, acting, and cultural knowledge, in preparation for the 43rd Annual traditional presentation of Los Pastores. The camp will culminate with public performances, free of charge to the audience, during the month of December, at San Ignacio Church in Martinez Town, Albuquerque, San Juan Church at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Taos (dates and times tba). Each performance will include a meal, as an act of celebration and an opportunity for audience members to visit with the performers.
Los Pastores
Los Pastores is a traditional folk play about the shepherds’ search for the newborn Christ Child during the Christmas season. The drama dates back to the Middle Ages as part of a sequence of plays called autosacramentales or Acts of Faith. Twelve days comprise the complete spiritual cycle. Franciscan priests and Spanish and Mexican settlers brought the plays to New Mexico during Spanish and Mexican colonial times. The three autosacramentales plays illustrated lessons of faith and remained an important vehicle for sharing, because few people in the area could read at the time. Plays consisted of the following types: Mystery plays (about the life of Christ); Miracle plays (about wondrous signs and events); and Morality plays (about the battle of good and evil). Los Pastores, the most musical of the autosacramentales, represents the battle of good and evil during the shepherds’ search. At the end of the play, the entire entourage receives its reward- interaction with the Holy Family, especially Baby Jesus. Despite some occurrences along the way, good wins over evil in the end.
Sangre de Cristo Liturgies
Founded in 1981 by the late Arsenio Córdova, Theresa Córdova’s father, Sangre de Cristo Liturgies (SdCL) is program host of Los Pastores Teatro Camp and performances. SdCL is devoted to the preservation and recovery of the history, traditions and culture of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. SdCL fosters its mission through the use of theatre, music and lectures. Arsenio Córdova’s family and cast continue his work and his vision. For the past 42 years, SdCL has presented the play “Los Pastores” in various Catholic churches, universities, and theaters throughout northern New Mexico, southern Colorado, and in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua. Despite the passing of Arsenio in 2019, the cast of Los Pastores continues their presentations through the direction and active participation of the Arsenio Córdova family.
Images
Below are Los Pastores images taken by Jaelyn deMaria, Ph.D., UNM Department of Communications and Journalism. Tap each image to enlarge.
Below is Grupo Sangre de Cristo's 2021 pastorela, directed by Dr. Theresa Córdova, filmed and produced by Dr. Beverly R. Singer (Santa Clara Pueblo).
Past Underwriting Recipients
- 2024 Dr. Theresa J. Córdova “Los Pastores Teatro Camp and Performances”
- 2023 UNMSO "Commission and premiere of a double concerto by Dr. Sérgio Azevedo for the UNM Symphony Orchestra, utilizing Robb Collection folk song archival materials"
- 2022 Lone Piñon "Musica de los Manitos"
- 2021 no underwriting awarded due to COVID
- 2020 no underwriting awarded due to COVID
- 2019 New Mexico Musical Heritage Program "Folk Music Violin Lessons"
- 2018 Lone Piñon "studio recording"
- 2018 NM Philharmonic "Young Musicians Initiative"
- 2018 Kim Fredenburgh and Kevin Vigneau "Nueva Música de Nuevo Mexico"
- 2018 UNM Music Prep School "Bailen, Bailen Pajaritos: Young Voices Sing the Music of New Mexico"
- 2018 Proyecto Jaraneras Collective "Fandango Burqueño 2018 featuring Patricio Hidalgo and Esther Cruz Marantos"
- 2017 no underwriting awarded
- 2016 La Gran Pastorela de Belen “Los Pastores”
- 2015 Sylvia Vergara "The Sylvia Ernestina Vergara Spanish Colonial Dance Project"
- 2014 Frank McCulloch "Folk Music Recordings"
- 2013 no underwriting awarded
- 2012 Raquel Rivera “John Donald Robb’s Imperative to Collect”
- 2011 no underwriting awarded
- 2010 no underwriting awarded
- 2009 no underwriting awarded
- 2008 no underwriting awarded
- 2007 Susan Kempter "Folk Melodies of New Mexico"
- 2006 Susan Kempter "Folk Melodies of New Mexico"