By Sara Atencio-Gonzales and Jessie Jones, The Paper. – Concern is growing among Albuquerque’s theatre community over the possible transfer of operations at the KiMo Theatre in Downtown Albuquerque, with many fearing it could limit access for local artists.
Vicki Singer, president of the Albuquerque Theatre Guild, explains that the primary worry is how a shift to a for-profit model could impact affordability for community groups. “The threat is that, if it does become a for-profit place, that all of the cost of renting it would go up,” says Singer. “Our local community theatres would not be able to afford to rent the place.”
The company that the city may be considering already manages multiple city-owned facilities.
City Councilor Joaquín Baca told The Paper. he has heard the city may move toward Legends Global, formerly ASM Global, to operate the KiMo Theatre but said he has not seen a formal proposal.
The city began its search last fall and posted a 30-page request for proposals, or RFP, outlining detailed requirements for a new operator at the historic venue, according to KRQE. The list included removing graffiti within 24 hours, power washing entrances and sidewalks weekly and regularly cleaning chewing gum from seats. It also set minimum staffing levels and required a certain number of events each month.
Baca told KRQE the event requirement came from legislation he introduced last year. He said the city hopes to have a new operator in place before the Route 66 Centennial in 2027, the same year the KiMo Theatre turns 100.
But that bidding process drew only one application. Shelle VanEtten de Sanchez, director of the Arts and Culture Department, said the review committee scored it low and found it did not meet the requirements. She said the committee unanimously recommended rejecting it. Then, in February, the city canceled the process without setting a new timeline, according to KRQE.
Legends, a New York-based venue operator that manages more than 450 sites worldwide, already runs several city facilities in Albuquerque. These include the Albuquerque Convention Center, Civic Plaza, Albuquerque Rail Yards and the Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness Regional Sports Complex under a city contract worth up to $9 million that runs through June 2028. City records show officials updated that contract in November 2024, three months after Legends acquired ASM Global.
It is unclear whether Albuquerque plans to launch a new RFP to attract a fresh crop of potential management companies or amend the existing ASM contract to add the KiMo as a fifth facility to be managed by them. The city directed questions to a city official who is familiar with the contract and is scheduled for an interview later this week.
For many in Albuquerque’s theatre community, however, the uncertainty surrounding the process has only added to existing concerns about access and affordability.
Singer explains that the potential impact extends beyond established theatre groups to younger performers and community programs. “We have a lot of youth groups and dance groups that rent there,” says Singer. “That affects a lot of the youth in our community that wouldn’t have a good place to perform.”
The online petition (Change.org)
In response to those concerns, the Albuquerque Theatre Guild launched a petition on Change.org to advocate for local artists and organizations. The petition states, in part, that: “The KiMo Theatre operates as a vital hub for local artists, community theatre groups, and independent performers, offering affordable rental agreements that include essential services such as security, house technicians, and ticketing at no extra charge. These arrangements make it possible for many local events to happen, fostering creativity and cultural expression in Albuquerque. However, if ASM Global/Legends takes over, the management would shift to a for-profit structure. This change would significantly increase costs for everyone involved: the artists, the event organizers, and ultimately, the patrons. Services that once were covered under the current rental agreements will incur additional fees, effectively making it prohibitive for smaller community organizations to use the space.”
Singer says the Theatre Guild’s efforts are about creating space for the community to be heard. “We haven’t been able to find places where we can speak for our organizational members, and this was a way for us to speak out for them.”
The petition, directed at Mayor Tim Keller and the nine members of the Albuquerque City Council, has already gained traction with the local arts community. “In a matter of a few days, we’ve got over 500 signatures,” says Singer. She adds that many supporters have reached out to express appreciation for the effort and hope it helps demonstrate the community’s position. “It does the job to let the powers know that this is something the community really doesn’t want right now.”