First Creative Industries Awards announced

Ryan Boetel , Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·4 min read

Oct. 9—The New Mexico Economic Development Department last week announced 18 projects in 15 communities and three pueblos that will receive the first Creative Industries Grant Awards.

The funding was made available through a bill signed into law this year, which created the Creative Industries Division within the Economic Development Department. A total of $1.8 million was awarded for the projects, which each received $100,000.

The goal of the awards is to spur local communities and tribes to improve their local economies through creative industries.

"The Creative Industries Grants support projects that demonstrate the potential to make a significant impact on New Mexico's creative industries economy. Following a competitive process, the initiatives were chosen for their creativity and clear commitment to advancing creative industry-based economic development by supporting businesses in creative industries throughout New Mexico," EDD Deputy Secretary Jon Clark said in prepared statement. "These awards will provide crucial support for a wide range of initiatives, from cultural preservation and arts education to community engagement and economic development."

There is no standard definition for a creative economy or industry. But in general, it includes everything from design, games, software and film to music, publishing and performance and visual arts. Meow Wolf is an example of s successful creative industry in the state.

A study in 2014 by the University of New Mexico's Bureau of Business and Economic Research reported that, at that time, the creative industries in New Mexico directly employed about 77,000 people, contributing about $1.37 billion in wages and salaries.

The new division was established this year with a $2 million appropriation from the Legislature, which received broad support.

Shani Harvie, the coordinator for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office of EDD, is currently leading the division startup.

"We are excited to see these projects come to life and make a lasting impact on our creative community," Harvie said in a statement. "These grant awards and the selection of Creative Startups reflect the vibrant and diverse creative talents we have across New Mexico.

Here's a list of the projects:

Gallup-McKinley County Fine Arts & Makerspace Expansion Project seeks to renovate and expand two key assets that assist in advancing their integral creative industries economy.Doña Ana County will train staff that interact with county businesses and support economic development to integrate the creative industry into their work.Mora County will create the Mora Downtown Market along Main Street.The Village of Cloudcroft will pursue a "Paint The Town" project through partnerships with local small businesses to inspire economic development through creative industry.The City of Belen plans a comprehensive initiative to help their local creative small businesses and entrepreneurs expand the community.Diné College will establish a fellowship program to support emerging and established creative entrepreneurs in New Mexico.The New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series will build on existing arts education programs by providing event production training.The Poeh Cultural Center at Pueblo of Pojoaque will lead an "Answers Are Indigenous Project" to engage more artists and entrepreneurs.The Village of Magdalena will host four community art events, offer partnership advertising and other services.The Public Education Department's Community Engagement Bureau will travel to three counties in New Mexico to educate youth across the state about opportunities in the creative industries.Rio Arriba County will establish an arts program at the Rio Arriba County and the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area.The City of Las Cruces Economic Development Department will partner with local businesses and the city's Quality of Life Department to enhance business with educational seminars and workshops, one-on-one coaching, or services provided by the Las Cruces Public Libraries.Taos County will work in partnership with the Taos Arts Council, Taos County Chamber of Commerce and Taos Center for the Arts to provide development training workshops and other opportunities.The Pueblo of Santa Ana's Department of Education will use its Higher Education Scholarship to provide workshops and training to high school students.The Town of Silver City's Museum will bring together multiple community partners to showcase Silver City as an authentic tourist destination.The UNM Art Museum will support their ongoing Museum Assistant program with professional development opportunities and other opportunities.The City of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development will create a community navigator hub to develop and organize the creative industries.The City of Albuquerque Department of Arts and Culture will support and increase three existing programs that further the creative industries division objectives: the Resiliency Residency Program, the City Makers Program, and the Poet Laureate Program.