NEW MEXICO ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

Creative Industries

Creative Industries Division

The Creative Industries Division was created by House Bill 8 in the 2023 Legislature and signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 5, 2023.

Our Vision:

New Mexico will have a diverse and thriving creative economy that engages local talent, fuels innovation, and delivers prosperity for all New Mexicans.

Our Mission:

As part of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the Creative Industries Division enhances economic opportunities for New Mexico families by nurturing a vibrant creative economy. We support creative entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organizations through education, workforce development, public infrastructure, grants, and resource sharing.

What we do:

  • increase and advance creative industry based economic development in New Mexico
  • support entrepreneurs and small businesses in creative industries
  • assist organizations that support creative industry companies and workers
  • support educational and workforce training initiatives that facilitate creative industry growth and success
  • identify and help establish public infrastructure to support creative industries
  • serve as an information clearinghouse by providing resources and opportunities to creative industry stakeholders
  • act as a liaison between creative industries-related businesses and organizations

What are the Creative Industries?

Our Six Creative Industry Clusters:
Businesses or persons engaged in creative enterprises*

  1. performing arts | visual arts | literary arts
  2. entertainment | media | information and broadcasting
  3. applied arts and design, including architecture, landscape architecture, museum and gallery professions
  4. promotion | marketing | graphics and industrial design
  5. technology and computer system design | software design | coding and digital media
  6. crafts and artisan professions including metal, wood, glass, ceramics, paper, printing, textile, and culinary arts.

*This does not include a business, organization, or person engaged in creative enterprises involving filming activities supported by the New Mexico Film Office of the Economic Development Department.

Want to learn more about the possibilities and impact of New Mexico’s creative economy? Watch a short recap of our 2025 Creative Industries Season and check out the highlights from the 2024 study below.

00:00
00:00

Need Assistance?

Contact us:

Shani Harvie
Creative Industries Division Director
Shani.Harvie@edd.nm.gov

Arlen Nelson
Division Coordinator
Arlen.Nelson@edd.nm.gov