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*

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.

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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?

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

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