Call for Creative Industries Public Development Projects

Concept Phase

Purpose

The Creative Industries Division (CID) is inviting county, municipal, Tribal governments, and state agencies to submit public development project concepts that support creative industries in New Mexico.

This concept phase is designed to give public entities time to plan, build partnerships, and outline projects that may be considered in a future funding round anticipated in Fall 2026.

This call builds on the 2024 Creative Industries Division Study and the Division’s initial funding of 18 public projects statewide. Lessons from those projects show that strong public development projects require time, coordination, and local commitment.

Eligible Applicants: Who May Apply

Only government entities may apply:

• Local Governments
• Counties
• Municipalities
• Tribal governments, Nations, and Pueblos
• state agencies

Public entities and other creative industries stakeholders may participate as partners or subcontractors. The government entity must submit the concept and would be responsible for funds and deliverables in any future funding round.

Fifty percent of the available funding shall be awarded to projects or programs in rural or underserved communities as required by enabling statue 2023 Regular Session - HB 8.

What This Call Is For

We are seeking public development projects that:

• Strengthen local creative industries
• Support small creative businesses
• Build or improve public infrastructure tied to creative industries
• Support workforce development
• Expand economic opportunity through the creative industries in rural or underserved areas

Definitions of “creative industries” and inclusion priorities can be found in the FAQ section.

Next Steps

Submitted concepts will help shape a future competitive funding opportunity anticipated in Fall 2026.

Public entities are encouraged to participate in NM CreativeCon regional convenings between March and June to connect with potential partners and learn from communities that have previously developed creative industries projects.

Timeline

Call Opens: March 2, 2026

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026. 6 PM Mountain Time

Anticipated Full Funding Round: Fall 2026

Project Funding Criteria

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects or programs that demonstrate the potential to stimulate community or economic development  through the support of local creative industries. Proposed projects or programs must also support the overall objectives and duties of the Creative Industries Division, and demonstrate or support one or more of the following criteria: 

1. Broad local support, including in-kind or financial support from local governments and surrounding communities or neighborhoods. 
2. Assistance to small businesses with fewer than ten employees. 
3. Expansion of existing creative industries. 
4. The promotion of inclusion and diversity, as outlined in enabling statue 2023 Regular Session - HB 8.

For more information on strategies to support creative industries in New Mexico, applicants should refer to:

• 2024 Creative Industries Division Study 
• Initial funding of 18 public projects statewide 
• Lessons from those projects
• The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs commissioned report, “Building  on the Past, Facing the Future: Renewing the Creative Economy.”  Those strategies were organized into four groups. The first group, Capacity Building and Business Development in Creative Industries, included three recommendations to support the development of creative industries in New Mexico with the provision of technical and professional services and expertise.  

1. Business and management consultation services that support workers, entrepreneurs, and artists in the state’s creative industries.  
2. Information technology support services and training tailored to the needs of artists and entrepreneurs in the creative industries in New Mexico.  
3. Communication services to facilitate collaboration and network development among businesses and the workforce engaged in creative industries in the state. 

These types of services can be directed to local businesses through contractors or local organizations. 

Submission Requirements

1. Narrative (Maximum 3 Pages / 1,800 Words)
2. Proposed timeline (1–2 years)
3. Preliminary Budget Projection (Total project cost, requested funding amount  - maximum funding ceiling $150,000.00 not including matching financial support or in-kind support)
4. Letters of Support (Maximum 3)
5. NM CreativeCon representative attendance (Optional but highly encouraged)