Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary-Designate | New Mexico Economic Development Department
The New Mexico Economic Development Department has launched the Arts & Cultural Districts (ACD) Pilot Grant Program, a one-time initiative aimed at supporting state-authorized Arts & Cultural Districts. The program is a collaboration between New Mexico Arts, the department’s MainStreet program, and the Creative Industries Division.
The grant provides awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 for each district. The goal is to support creative industry programming that can drive local economic growth and demonstrate the benefits of sustained investment in these areas through dedicated funding.
“So many of our communities have shaped their economic identities around the arts, culture, and creative industries,” said Rob Black, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Economic Development Department. “When we take the time to invest strategically in what makes each region special, we see benefits that last and have real cultural significance.”
There are currently ten State-Authorized ACDs in New Mexico. These districts are located in downtown Albuquerque, Artesia, Carlsbad, Gallup, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Los Alamos, Mora, Raton, and Silver City.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with these tried-and-true New Mexico programs,” said Shani Harvie, EDD’s Creative Industries director. “Their experience combines 100+ years of service to artists, creatives, and small businesses across the state and is an excellent example of ongoing public efforts to support our local creative economy.”
Michelle Laflamme-Childs, executive director of New Mexico Arts added: “Since 2007, when the ACD program was established in state statute, New Mexico Arts has partnered with the Economic Development Department’s MainStreet program to bring ACDs online around the state. We are excited to now partner with the Creative Industries Division to support ACDs in their growth and development by helping them to bring arts and culture programming into the hearts of their communities.”
According to officials involved with the program’s administration: “This pilot program is designed to ignite momentum, inspire replication, and affirm that New Mexico’s cultural economy flourishes with intentional, strategic support.”
Daniel J. Gutierrez serves as both director of New Mexico MainStreet and ACD state coordinator. He stated: “New Mexico’s State-Authorized ACDs will make a significant impact on their local creative economies with this grant funding. Cultural programming and placemaking activities supported by this grant will benefit communities statewide.”
Information about how organizations can learn more or register for an upcoming informational webinar was not included in this announcement.
The Creative Industries Division supports entrepreneurs and small businesses within creative fields across education initiatives; workforce development; infrastructure; grants; resource sharing; and other economic development efforts throughout New Mexico.
New Mexico Arts operates as part of the Department of Cultural Affairs where it manages public art programs as well as technical assistance for artists and organizations statewide.
New Mexico MainStreet develops capacity among local partners across 32 MainStreet sites plus 13 Arts & Cultural Districts throughout New Mexico since its founding in 1984.
