The New Mexico Arts & Cultural Districts (ACD) Pilot Grant Program is a one-time collaborative initiative organized by New Mexico Arts, EDD’s Mainstreet program, and the Creative Industries Division to demonstrate the economic potential and cultural impact of directly funding state-authorized Arts & Cultural Districts.
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Arts & Cultural Districts (ACD) Pilot Grant Program is a one-time collaborative initiative organized by New Mexico Arts, EDD’s Mainstreet program, and the Creative Industries Division to demonstrate the economic potential and cultural impact of directly funding state-authorized Arts & Cultural Districts.
The grant offers awards between $50,000 and $100,000 to provide catalytic resources for ACDs. The program aims to implement high-impact creative industry programming, drive local economic growth, and build the case for sustained investment through a dedicated fund outside of the Creative Industries Division.
“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.”
New Mexico has ten State-Authorized ACDs 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.”
“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,” said Michelle Laflamme-Childs, New Mexico Arts executive director. “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.”
This pilot program is designed to ignite momentum, inspire replication, and affirm that New Mexico’s cultural economy flourishes with intentional, strategic support.
“New Mexico’s State-Authorized ACDs will make a significant impact on their local creative economies with this grant funding,” said Daniel J. Gutierrez, New Mexico MainStreet director and ACD state coordinator. “Cultural programming and placemaking activities supported by this grant will benefit communities statewide.”
Visit edd.newmexico.gov/creative to learn more and register for the August 8 informational webinar.
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The Creative Industries Division is a division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. CID works to foster New Mexico’s creative economy by supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organizations in New Mexico’s creative industries. Through economic development efforts that span education, workforce development, public infrastructure, grant-making, and resource sharing, we work to support our innovative ecosystem of creative businesses, professionals, technologists and more. Learn more at edd.newmexico.gov/creative.
New Mexico Arts, the state’s federally authorized arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, administers the One Percent for Public Art program, awards grants to nonprofit organizations for arts and cultural programs in their communities, and provides technical assistance and educational opportunities for organizations, artists, and arts educators throughout the state. Learn more at nmarts.org.
New Mexico MainStreet is a program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department that develops local capacity to engage people, rebuild places, and grow the entrepreneurial, creative, and business environment, resulting in economically thriving downtowns, greater business and employment opportunities, and a higher quality of life. Founded in 1984, NM MainStreet currently serves 32 MainStreet and 13 Arts & Cultural Districts. Learn more at nmmainstreet.org.
