The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has announced the recipients of the inaugural Creative Industries Grant Awards. These grants have been awarded to 18 projects across 15 communities and 3 pueblos in New Mexico. The aim of these grants is to promote progress and economic development in local communities and tribal regions through creative industries.
According to a press release from the EDD, the department's programs play a crucial role in training the workforce, providing infrastructure to support business growth, and helping communities create a thriving economy.
The projects that have been awarded grants cover a wide range of initiatives aimed at bolstering the creative industries economy in various regions of New Mexico. Some of these initiatives include renovating and expanding assets in Gallup, integrating creative industries into workflows in Doña Ana County, establishing a downtown market in Mora County, and revitalizing the creative economy in Southeastern New Mexico through a "Paint The Town" project.
Other projects include coordinating and enhancing local creative small businesses in Belen, establishing a fellowship program for creative entrepreneurs in Navajo Nation, providing event production training and expanding visibility in central New Mexico, engaging artists and entrepreneurs through the "Answers Are Indigenous Project," and hosting community art events and workshops in Magdalena.
The grants also aim to educate youth about creative industry opportunities and offer arts training and mentorship in Rio Arriba County. Additionally, projects in Las Cruces will focus on enhancing businesses through educational seminars and workshops, while Taos County will develop creative entrepreneurs through workshops and work-integrated learning opportunities.
The Pueblo of Santa Ana will provide career interest workshops and training, Silver City will work on building its attraction as a tourist destination, and ongoing Museum Assistant programs will be supported. Santa Fe will create a community navigator hub, and Albuquerque's Department of Cultural Affairs will support existing programs to further the objectives of the creative industries division.
Deputy Secretary Jon Clark of the EDD expressed his excitement about the selected projects, stating, "The Creative Industries Grants support projects that demonstrate the potential to make a significant impact on New Mexico’s creative industries economy. These awards will provide crucial support for a wide range of initiatives, from cultural preservation and arts education to community engagement and economic development."
The Creative Industries Grant Awards are expected to drive economic growth and foster creativity and innovation within New Mexico's local communities and tribal regions.