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.

More Creative Resources

Creative Industries Season 2025 recap

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.

What is the role of the division?

The Creative Industries Division is charged with supporting the state’s creative industries by:

Increasing and advancing creative industry-based economic development in New Mexico.
Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in creative industries.
Assisting organizations that support creative industry companies and workers.
Supporting educational and workforce training initiatives that facilitate creative industry growth and success.

Identifying and helping establish public infrastructure to support creative industries.
Serving as an information clearinghouse by providing resources and opportunities to creative industry stakeholders.
Acting as a liaison between creative industries-related businesses and organizations.

Who do we serve?

Businesses and entrepreneurs in the creative industries
Organizations that support creative industry companies and workers
Local governments, Tribes, and municipalities seeking to establish creative industries’ public infrastructure
Creative industries stakeholders through our Creative Resource Center, referrals to other organizations like New Mexico Arts, and our Creative Industries Division Newsletter

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, according to The Washington Post’s analysis of Census Bureau data from the past decade
12% of all GRT establishments are creative establishments
118% projected growth for employment levels in “arts, entertainment, and recreation” by 2030

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Creative Industries Division Study summary presentation

Publications & Data

Progress Report - Investing in New Mexico's Heart and Soul (January 2024)

Progress Report - Investing in New Mexico's Heart and Soul (January 2024)
2024 CID Sudy

2024 CID Sudy
2023 Awards Press Release

2023 Awards Press Release

Need Assistance?

Contact us:

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

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

Finance Development