New Mexico to offer grants up to $25,000 for creative businesses

New Mexico is offering up to $25,000 in state grants to established creative businesses in an effort to support long-term growth in the sector.

For-profit creative businesses with at least three years in operation can apply for funding from the state’s Business Development & Expansion Grant Program, run by the New Mexico Economic Development Department.

Applications opened Dec. 1 and close Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. The program accepts one application per business each fiscal year, beginning July 1 and running until June 30. An informational webinar is set for Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. The program’s second cycle runs from Feb. 2-27 next year.

“New Mexico’s creative businesses are key players in developing community culture and driving economic development,” said Shani Harvie, director of the state’s Creative Industries Division, in a statement. “This grant helps smaller creative enterprises leverage state funding into tangible growth and helps position them competitively with other enterprises.”

Previous grantees include T.Skies Jewelry in Albuquerque, which used the grant to create a brand partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren selling New Mexico-made leather belts, and also expanded a program helping students from Native American communities pay for school.

Santa Fe’s Paseo Pottery used the award to start a mobile pottery studio, and hosts monthly events that have contributed $118,000 to Santa Fe nonprofits to date.

“The $10,000 award has already made a huge impact for Paseo Pottery and for our community,” said Angela Kirkman, owner of Paseo Pottery, in a statement. “We were able to purchase five new wheels and officially launch our new ‘Paseo Pottery Pop-Up’ program, where we bring pottery to you.”

Other grantees include STEMarts Lab in northern New Mexico, which created the Astro Trail project, installing arts exhibitions on public trails in partnership with the Taos Bureau of Land Management.

More information is available on the EDD website.