The NAC began its history of serving the arts and literary communities of the Southwest in 2000 with a stellar book review publication called Soutwest Book Views under the editorial guidance of Candelora Versace. When the publication was put to rest in 2005, the NAC began offering rural writers' retreats in Carson NM and collaborated to bring writing workshops and presentations to the region. Our collaborators included the New Mexico Book Association, PEN New Mexico, THEMA, NM  Book Coop, and other arts organizations.