Initiative to Launch a
Division of Creative Industries

Goal: Advance the creative industries as an economic powerhouse for New Mexico. 

How: Establish a Division of Creative Industries in the New Mexico Department of Economic Development to provide statewide funding at the community level to fuel entrepreneurship, promote small businesses and nonprofits, create career pathways, accelerate job growth, and catalyze public infrastructure projects within the sector. 

Why: The future is economic systems based on innovation and technological development. New Mexico can and should be at the forefront growth driven by ingenuity, creative expression, and the exchange of ideas because art, culture, and creativity is who we are. 9% of New Mexicans work in the creative industries. Creative workers earn $1.5B in wages annually. The creative industries generate $5.6B in a given year for the State’s economy. Imagine what more we can do.

Investment in the creative industries will expand and diversify New Mexico’s economy, creating a rising tide that lifts all boats.

Several people attend the gallery show of artist Linda Bowlby, who creates 3D paint patterns on a canvas.
Closeup on a person's hands showing a print of a flower painting.
Closeup on the face and hands of artist Jerry Brown as he paints on a canvas.
Recommend a Project!

We’re continuously gathering example creative industries projects to share with policy-makers as a means of demonstrating the potential of this initiative. If you have a project to share (or know of one) please let us know!