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*
- performing arts | visual arts | literary arts
- entertainment | media | information and broadcasting
- applied arts and design, including architecture, landscape architecture, museum and gallery professions
- promotion | marketing | graphics and industrial design
- technology and computer system design | software design | coding and digital media
- 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.
Insights on New Mexico’s creative economy
- $6B in annual economic activity
- $1.6B in taxable annual wages
- New Mexico ranks in the top five for visual artists such as painters, sculptors, craft artists, and printmakers (Washington Post’s analysis)
- 12% of all GRT establishments are creative establishments
- 118% projected growth for employment levels in “arts, entertainment, and recreation” by 2030
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.
Call for grant reviewers
We are gearing up for our FY27 grant cycle and we’re inviting community partners, creative professionals, and subject‑matter experts to join us as grant reviewers.
Publications & Data
FY24 Inaugural Grantee Outcome Reports
- State report overview
- CABQ
- City of Albuquerque
- Cloudcroft
- Belen
- Belen accomplishments presentation
- Bernalillo & Doña Ana Counties PED
- Dine College
- Doña Ana County
- Gallup
- Las Cruces
- Magdalena
- MoraMora Market on MainStreet
- New Mexico Tech
- Poeh Cultural Center
- Pueblo of Santa Ana
- Rio Arriba
- Santa Fe
- Silver City Museum
- Taos County
- UNM
Need Assistance?
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