Robb Trust Underwriting
2026 Underwriting Recipient
Mónica Sánchez ~ THE RIVER IS A SCAR THAT SOMETIMES BLEEDS WATER
Mónica Sánchez ~ THE RIVER IS A SCAR THAT SOMETIMES BLEEDS WATER
MÓNICA SÁNCHEZ is a professional theatre artist. Over the past 40 years, she has honed the craft of professional actor; written plays and devised work for the stage; directed productions small and large; enjoyed a myriad of assignments as a teaching artist; and has facilitated numerous community engagements.She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of New Mexico and is a retired Professor of Playwriting and Performance at Colorado College, in Colorado Springs.
She began her theatre journey in her native New Mexico with La Compañía de Teatro de Alburquerque, before a 23-year residency in California where she would collaborate with El Teatro Campesino, Octavio Solís, Luís Alfaro, Culture Clash, the Latino Theatre Lab, South Coast Repertory, San Diego Repertory, Erik Ehn, Cornerstone Theatre, Shirley Jo Finney, Playwright's Arena, and Diane Rodriguez, among others. Television and Film credits include the roles of Dolores Huerta in The Glorias, House of Cards, and Primo, among others.
Her plays aspire to unveil the varied and underrepresented experiences of Latinidad in the U.S., particularly the complex and unique philosophical, cultural and historical milieu of the Southwest; not only ripe for dramatic exploration but also sorely missing from the canon of the American theatre.
She currently resides in Albuquerque, NM where she continues her work in independent, professional, and community projects and is always keen to entertain collaborations near and far.
She began her theatre journey in her native New Mexico with La Compañía de Teatro de Alburquerque, before a 23-year residency in California where she would collaborate with El Teatro Campesino, Octavio Solís, Luís Alfaro, Culture Clash, the Latino Theatre Lab, South Coast Repertory, San Diego Repertory, Erik Ehn, Cornerstone Theatre, Shirley Jo Finney, Playwright's Arena, and Diane Rodriguez, among others. Television and Film credits include the roles of Dolores Huerta in The Glorias, House of Cards, and Primo, among others.
Her plays aspire to unveil the varied and underrepresented experiences of Latinidad in the U.S., particularly the complex and unique philosophical, cultural and historical milieu of the Southwest; not only ripe for dramatic exploration but also sorely missing from the canon of the American theatre.
She currently resides in Albuquerque, NM where she continues her work in independent, professional, and community projects and is always keen to entertain collaborations near and far.
About "THE RIVER IS A SCAR THAT SOMETIMES BLEEDS WATER"
THE RIVER IS A SCAR THAT SOMETIMES BLEEDS WATER is the psycho-spiritual journey of "Negra", a Mestiz-Genizara-Chicana 21st Century war veteran returned to her ancestral homeland in the Southwest. Psychotropic plant medicine launches her odyssey through a ceremonial and multi-generational labyrinth where she must confront ancestral trauma and original wounds, making way for the ultimate transformation: her desire to live. Quintessential New Mexican topography, histories and rituals illuminate universal echoes of colonization, war, and climate crisis. This play is Negra’s “trip”.
The Robb Trust is providing funding for a workshop production of THE RIVER IS A SCAR THAT SOMETIMES BLEEDS WATER. A first staged reading of the play was recently conducted at the Albuquerque Museum to a standing room only audience. There was much interest in the performance. The general consensus was that the story spoke to the New Mexican experience, was of great significance, and needed to be told.
The workshop production is a step towards developing the play for a future, fully produced theatre event. The play encompasses a broad reach of New Mexican histories, customs, characters, and rituals. Traditional music and specific songs from the Robb collection are a vital element to completing the storytelling of this play’s narrative.
Sánchez's script has previously been supported by the Jackson Fellowship from Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies at Colorado College (2021), a micro-commission from The Alcove New Play Development at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in NYC (2023), and most recently from the City of Albuquerque’s Urban Enhancement Trust Fund’s (UETF) Resiliency Residency, in addition to production support from the Museum of Albuquerque for the Staged Reading that took place on 29 March 2026, in conjunction with the Delilah Montoya Retrospective: Activating Chicana Resistance.
Artistic Example:
coming soon
The Robb Trust is providing funding for a workshop production of THE RIVER IS A SCAR THAT SOMETIMES BLEEDS WATER. A first staged reading of the play was recently conducted at the Albuquerque Museum to a standing room only audience. There was much interest in the performance. The general consensus was that the story spoke to the New Mexican experience, was of great significance, and needed to be told.
The workshop production is a step towards developing the play for a future, fully produced theatre event. The play encompasses a broad reach of New Mexican histories, customs, characters, and rituals. Traditional music and specific songs from the Robb collection are a vital element to completing the storytelling of this play’s narrative.
Sánchez's script has previously been supported by the Jackson Fellowship from Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies at Colorado College (2021), a micro-commission from The Alcove New Play Development at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in NYC (2023), and most recently from the City of Albuquerque’s Urban Enhancement Trust Fund’s (UETF) Resiliency Residency, in addition to production support from the Museum of Albuquerque for the Staged Reading that took place on 29 March 2026, in conjunction with the Delilah Montoya Retrospective: Activating Chicana Resistance.
Artistic Example:
coming soon
The 2026 proposal cycle is closed
Photo by Hyunju Blemel
The next proposal window will open in January 2027. Below is information about the 2026 cycle.
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
About
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust provides funding for 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, 2026, 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, 2027.
Questions? Please email committee chair, Valerie Martínez, [email protected].
Click the link below to download a PDF of the 2026 proposal criteria:
robb_trust_underwriting_call.pdf
- 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
About
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust provides funding for 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 30, 2026
- Submit completed proposal via email to: [email protected]
- Successful grantees will be notified by: May 15, 2026
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:
- Promote 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
- Previous applications: 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 planned activities and a description of how the project will incorporate Robb archival material (max 500 words)
- Timeline: include start and end dates for the entire project and approximate dates of project activities (max 200 words)
- Audience: describe who the project will serve and how? (max 200 words)
- Evaluation methods/tools: explain how the success of activities/phases/overall project will be measured and the evaluation tools that will be utilized (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 Robb archival 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, 2026, 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, 2027.
Questions? Please email committee chair, Valerie Martínez, [email protected].
Click the link below to download a PDF of the 2026 proposal criteria:
robb_trust_underwriting_call.pdf
Underwriting Archives
- 2025 Dr. Javier Marín-López "Vestiges of Hispanic Colonial Music in the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music"
- 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"