Grants to New Mexico Creative Businesses to Promote Growth and Business Development is sponsored by New Mexico State Government. Offers grants to New Mexico creative companies and individuals to support business development, including equipment, software, marketing, and capacity building.

Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities - NM Economic Development Department Ready to grow in New Mexico? Have comments or questions? We’re here to help.

Science and Technology Roadmap Event Invitation and Speaking Request Form Science & Technology Roadmap Roadmap to turn our research strengths into long-term economic growth and jobs.

Creative Industries Division (CID) Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Office Technology and Innovation Office (TIO) Food, Hunger, and Agriculture Program Office of International Trade (OIT) Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) Technology and Innovation Office Helping you grow your technology-based business in New Mexico.

County Economic Summaries Job Training Incentive Program Funds training and upskill 398 workers in the first quarter of 2026.

Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS) Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) Healthy Food Financing Fund (HFFF) Creative Industries Division Creative Support Organization Grant Business Development & Expansion Grant Creative Industries Public Development Projects Technology & Innovation Office NM Quantum Technologies Award Pilot Program Grant NM Science and Technology Business Startup Grant NM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Grant NM Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant Outdoor Recreation Division Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant Quantum Technologies Award Funds up to $200,000 to early-stage companies.

Due April 30. Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) NM Collateral Assistance Program (CAP) 2.

0 Technology and Innovation Business Assistance Program Outdoor Business Accelerator Business Incubator Certification Business Retention & Expansion Program (BRE) Certified Economic Development Organization (EDO) New Mexico MainStreet Program New Mexico Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) Strategic Site Readiness Program Preparing high-value sites for future economic development.

Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities State Authorized Arts and Cultural District (ACD) Pilot Grant Program A one-time initiative aimed at demonstrating the economic potential and cultural impact of directly funding state-authorized ACDs.

The program aims to provide catalytic resources for ACDs to implement high-impact creative industry programming, drive local economic growth, and build the case for sustained investment through a dedicated fund outside the Creative Industries Division. Anticipated awards up to $100,000, subject to change. 2025 application, projected timeline: Application Period: Aug.

4-29, 2025 (closes 6 pm MT) Review Period: Sept. 2025 Processing Period: Oct. -Nov.

2025 Project Period: Dec. 2025 – Dec. 2026 Creative Support Organization Grant This funding opportunity is designed for organizations with a demonstrated history of impactful work in supporting creative entrepreneurs and advancing creative industry development across New Mexico.

This includes organizations that support creative industry companies and workers. Whether building networks, offering technical assistance, providing creative business incubation, or strengthening regional creative ecosystems, this grant supports continued leadership in growing New Mexico’s creative economy. Open to local governments, Nations, Tribes, Pueblos, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations.

Anticipated awards up to $62,500, subject to change. 2025 application, projected timeline: Application Period: Sept. 29-Oct.

24, 2025 (6 pm MT) Processing Period: Dec. 2025-Jan. 2026 Project Period: Feb.

2026–Feb. 2027 Business Development & Expansion Grant Returning program for existing creative businesses.

Eligible businesses must: Have a minimum of three-year history of operations Be a for-profit entity in good standing Preferential points will be given to businesses with fewer than ten employees including part time staff, and to businesses located in rural areas per statutory language that requires 50% of grant funding to go to rural and underserved businesses, and language that specifies support for projects and proposals that support small creative businesses.

Eligible businesses are also identified in the grant FAQ, division statute by industry area, and corresponding NAICS codes available in Appendix C on page 206 of the 2024 Division Study .

marketing, promotion, digital presence small infrastructure improvements that can be completed in a 12-month period technology and software improvements uses that help strengthen the businesses capacity for measuring impact, engagement, evaluation, and economic contributions Non-allowable use: Hiring of full-time personnel Prospective applicants will be asked to describe their plans to leverage potential grant funding for greater returns on investment.

Anticipated awards up to $25,000, subject to change. Cycle 1 Application Period: Dec. 1-26, 2025 (closes at 6 pm MT) Cycle 2 Application Period: Feb.

2-27, 2026 (closes at 6 pm MT) Please note applicants may only apply for one cycle for this program per fiscal year (July 1– June 30). This grant is available to for-profit, legal entities only, sole-proprietor applications are not accepted.

The only exception is, if the business recently reorganized to an LLC, they are required to submit legal supporting documentation that proves the business was in operation before the registration shown by secretary of state such as federal or state tax information, or prior registration.

Watch the informational webinar Creative Industries Public Development Projects - Pre-Application 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. This is not a grant application.

This pre-application phase allows public entities time to plan and outline projects that may be considered in a future funding opportunity anticipated in Fall 2026. Applicants must submit to the pre-application phase to be eligible for the grant funding round in Fall 2026.

Strengthen local creative industries Support small creative businesses and entrepreneurs Build or improve public infrastructure connected to creative industries Support workforce development initiatives Expand economic opportunity through creative industries in rural and underserved communities A narrative (maximum 3 pages / 1,800 words) Proposed timeline (1–2 years) Preliminary Budget Projection (Total project cost, requested funding amount – maximum funding ceiling $150,000.

00 not including estimated matching financial support or in-kind support) Up to three letters of support NM CreativeCon representative attendance (Optional but highly encouraged) Projected program timeline: Application Period: Mar. 2-Jun. 30, 2026 (6 pm MT) Review Period: Jul.

-Sept. 2026 Grant Application Opens: Fall 2026 Projected Project Period: Jan. 2027–June 2028 Apply using the blue button at the top of this page.

Creative Industry Grants FAQ Does my business qualify as creative industries?

New Mexico statute identifies “creative industry” as a business, organization, or person engaged in creative enterprises in the following industry areas: Performing, Visual, & Literary Arts Entertainment, Media, Information & Broadcasting Applied Arts & Design (including Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Museum & Gallery professions) Promotion, Marketing, Graphics & Industrial Design Technology & computer system design, software design, coding & digital media Crafts & Artisan Professions (including metal, wood, glass, ceramics, paper, printing, textile, and culinary arts) “Creative Industry” does not mean a business, organization, or person engaged in creative enterprises involving film.

Film means “filming activity supported by the New Mexico film division of the department”(New Mexico Film Office). See Creative Industry Cluster details and corresponding NAICS Codes on page 206 of the 2024 Creative Industries Division Study . Who can apply for creative industry division grants?

Creative Industries Division Grants are awarded to legal entities, not individuals. Legal entities include state, counties, municipalities or other political subdivisions of the state, Indian nations, tribes or pueblos, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Sole-proprietorships and individuals are not eligible for any grants.

Individual grants may have varying applicant pools, but they are still restricted to this broader group as per statutory requirements. Are there taxes or fees associated with grant funding? Grantee recipients are responsible for any applicable state and federal taxes, including Gross Receipts Tax, and will receive a 1099 from the state.

Tax-exempt entities are excluded. How do you determine who receives funding? Final scores are based on the scoring rubric provided in the respective grant application.

Each grant program is scored competitively by scoring committees that include division and department staff, division ambassadors and potentially others, all of whom are required to sign a conflict-of-interest agreement.

In accordance with statute, at least fifty percent (50%) of all funds awarded from the Creative Industries Fund shall be awarded to projects or programs located in rural or underserved communities, as defined by the division. What types of programs and projects do you fund?

Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects or programs that demonstrate the potential to stimulate community or economic development through creative industries and demonstrate or support one or more of the following statutory requirements.

Broad local support, including in-kind or financial support from local governments and surrounding communities or neighborhoods Assistance to small businesses with fewer than ten employees Expansion of existing creative industries The promotion of inclusion and diversity How can I get help or ask questions about the program?

Questions related to grants can be asked & answered during the grant overview webinar, usually the Friday of the week of a grant announcement. Questions permitted during grant cycles, outside of the overview webinar, will only be considered if they are related to application accessibility or other technical questions not associated with the content of perspective responses, applications or proposals.

Division staff cannot aid anyone directly in the application process of an active grant or answer questions about the content of prospective responses, applications or proposals. Other questions related to grants must be submitted before or after the grant period or during a grant overview webinar at info@edd. newmexico.

gov . How long will it take to receive grant funds? It can take at least 8-16 weeks or more to process grants and disperse payments, depending on the communication with the division and the internal state processes to evaluate, check and confirm information.

Sometimes processing time can take longer than expected if the internal finance team, or other state agency is backlogged with other applications and review of documentation. The agency runs numerous grant programs that must be approved by other agencies, including the Department of Finance Authority and Taxation and Revenue. Grant recipient response times and incomplete tax information can also cause processing setbacks.

W-9’s, which are required, can take several weeks to process through respective agencies. When do applications close? All grant applications close at 6 pm Mountain Time on the specified date.

If you are having technical difficulties with your application, please reach out to us at least 8 hours before the application closes so we can address any issues while staff are available. If applications are received after the posted date and “end of day” time (6 pm MT), the application is deemed invalid and will not be evaluated. Can my organization apply for multiple grant programs through the division?

Applicants may apply for separate, distinct programs in the division, as long as the project scopes do not interfere or overlap in intent, budget, funds, execution or uses.

Grant awardees may NOT apply for an additional grant from the same program if they are still within a project period for the initial grant, i.e. awardees who received funding in 2025, who do not submit a final report until June 30, 2026, cannot apply for additional funding from the same program before June 30, 2026, or before the final report due date. Are capital/infrastructure important expenses allowed for any grant opportunities?

Some of our grants include infrastructure and will have different improvement funding. Allowable uses for individual programs will be articulated in the respective grant application. Do you support new organizations?

Or does the organization need to be established? All organizations must have a three-year minimum history of operations, programming and/or services at the time of application. Please review grant-specific guidelines for additional information.

Are there any tips for new applicants? Read the guidelines for each individual grant in full before beginning an application. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare and submit an application.

Be specific and be clear. Successful proposals address the grant program requirements and goals. Be authentic.

Celebrate what makes your proposal unique. Avoid jargon and unedited AI-generated responses in your narrative. Prepare your responses in a word processing application (MS Word or Google Docs) before inputting your narrative into the online grants management system.

Check the online application for specific instructions about uploads and documentation that are not detailed in the guidelines. Can my film company or production company qualify for division programs? The division does not support businesses, organizations, or people engaged in enterprises involving film.

Film refers to any “filming activity supported by the New Mexico film division of the department,” (the New Mexico Film Office). Any business receiving/reporting a tax incentive in the most recent tax year to Taxation and Revenue and/or the NM Film Office is not eligible for division programs. Can my project or proposal be for one specific industry?

All projects/program participants must make a sincere effort to include participants rooted in a wide swath of creative industries and not overly favor certain specific industries.

Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing Other Snack Food Manufacturing Coffee and Tea Manufacturing Spice and Extract Manufacturing Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery Crafts and artisan professions Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions Textile Bag and Canvas Mills Crafts and artisan professions All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills Crafts and artisan professions Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors Crafts and artisan professions Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Crafts and artisan professions All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions All Other Converted Paper Product Manufacturing Information and broadcasting Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) Commercial Screen Printing Support Activities for Printing Crafts and artisan professions Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass Crafts and artisan professions Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery, and Flatware (except Precious) Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media Crafts and artisan professions Upholstered Household Furniture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing Crafts and artisan professions, performing arts Musical Instrument Manufacturing Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Crafts and artisan professions Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Electronics and Appliance Retailers Crafts and artisan professions Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers Crafts and artisan professions Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Retailers Performing arts, media, entertainment Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Book Retailers and News Dealers Promotion, marketing, craft and artisan professions Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers Museum and gallery professions Motion Picture and Video Production Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services Promotion, marketing, performing arts, entertainment, media Information and broadcasting Information and broadcasting Promotion, marketing, media Directory and Mailing List Publishers Promotion, marketing, literary arts, media Software design, coding and digital media Information and broadcasting Radio Broadcasting Stations Information and broadcasting Television Broadcasting Stations Information and broadcasting, media Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers Applied arts and design, including architecture Landscape Architectural Services Applied arts and design, including architecture Applied arts and design, including architecture Graphics and industrial design Industrial Design Services Graphics and industrial design Technology and computer system design, graphics and industrial design Other Specialized Design Services Software design, coding and digital media Custom Computer Programming Services Technology and computer system design Computer Systems Design Services Information and broadcasting Marketing Consulting Services Information and broadcasting Environmental Consulting Services Technology and computer system design Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services Information and broadcasting Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities Public Relations Agencies Promotion, marketing, media Promotion, marketing, media Promotion, marketing, media Promotion, marketing, media Advertising Material Distribution Services Other Services Related to Advertising Photography Studios, Portrait Museum and gallery professions, promotion, marketing Convention and Visitors Bureaus Promotion, marketing, entertainment Convention and Trade Show Organizers Visual arts, craft and artisan professions Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters Performing arts, entertainment Musical Groups and Artists Other Performing Arts Companies Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities Promotion, marketing, entertainment Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers Museum and gallery professions Museum and gallery professions Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars The division will offer an informational webinar for each grant program during the application period.

The webinar will be recorded and available to view on the agency’s YouTube Page . The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes.

Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Manage {vendor_count} vendors