About Us
Courtesy of gallupARTS. Photo Credit: Tasha Nez.
Creative NM
Representing the Interests
of the Arts in New Mexico
Who Are We?
Creative New Mexico is a statewide non-profit arts advocacy organization.
What Do We Do?
Our mission is to connect, promote, and advocate for creative individuals, organizations, industries, and communities across New Mexico.
Our primary activities are:
- Building, informing, and activating a statewide network of arts advocates;
- Developing and implementing state- and federal-level arts advocacy campaigns; and
- Showcasing New Mexico’s arts and cultural assets through our website and community ART NM! activities (hyperlink?)
- Recent Successes: We were instrumental advocating for the passage of House Bill 8 to establish the Creative Industries Division in the State’s Economic Development Department during the 2023 New Mexico Legislative Session.
What do we stand for?
Chief among Creative New Mexico’s Policy Concerns are:
- Increased public funding for the arts to grow and sustain a strong economy;
- Funding for arts education as a core subject in our schools and for all students; and
- Equitable access for all to the arts and cultural assets of our state.
Where?
We represent artists, creative entrepreneurs, and small businesses and non-profit organizations covering all geographic quadrants of New Mexico from Gallup and Farmington in the northwest to Silver City and Las Cruces in the southwest, to Roswell and Artesia in the southeast, to Albuquerque and Santa Fe in the Rio Grande corridor, and Taos and Raton in the northeast.
Regionally, we are part of the Western States Arts Federation’s (WESTAF’s) Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN), working to synchronize arts advocacy efforts across the western United States and Pacific jurisdictions.
Nationally, we are part of Americans for the Arts’ (AFTA’s) network, working to advocate for federal legislation and funding to support the arts.
When?
We are active all year, but especially during state Legislative Sessions and the US Congressional budgetary process when we mount campaigns to promote policy support for and investment in the arts. To reach out to your elected officials on the economic and societal value of the arts and creativity, please click on our “Take Action” tab to find legislation that is important to know about and support.
Why?
The arts are essential to the well-being of people, communities, and societies. They improve quality of life, bring people together and strengthen civic engagement, provide educational benefits, and contribute economically – especially here in New Mexico, a state that is built on incredibly rich and diverse cultural and artistic traditions.
How?
Through our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.
2022-2025 Strategic Long-range Plan
Goal 1: Advocate for Investment in the Arts
Objective 1: Get support from the New Mexico Legislature
Objective 2: Make people more aware of the importance of the arts to the state’s economy and quality of life metrics
Objective 3: Work to get more people involved in arts advocacy
Goal 2: Build a Network of Arts Advocates
Objective 1: Get more people to join VoterVoice
Objective 2: Make the Newsletter more effectively engaging
Goal 3: Increase Effectiveness by Increasing Awareness, Raising More Money, and Growing the Organization
Objective 1: Create and implement a three-year Financial Plan
Objective 2: Raise funding and incrementally increase human resource capacity
Objective 3: Develop an Annual Strategic Communications Plan
Objective 4: Broaden representation and expertise of Board (geographic and ethnic)