Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities

Explore New Mexico Creative Industries Division (CID) grants supporting artists, creative businesses, and organizations with funding for innovation. Home Grants Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities Creative Industries Division Grant Opportunities Apply for a CID Grant 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 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) Review Period: Nov. 2025 Processing Period: Dec. 2025-Jan. 2026 Project Period: Feb. 2026–Feb. 2027 Grant information Grant overview webinar Grant Q&A 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 . Uses include: inventory equipment 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 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