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 Creative Support Organization Grant Overview Webinar: Monday, October 5, 12 PM Register here Application Period: October 5-30, 2026 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. Anticipated awards for up to $62,500. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, MainStreet of governments, educational institutions, and other political subdivisions of the state, excluding governments, and state agencies. Projected program timeline: Grant Application Opens: Oct 5, 2026 Grant Application Closes: Oct 30, 2026, at 6 pm Review Period: Nov 2026 –Jan 2027 Projected Project Period: Mar 2027–Feb 2028 Business Development & Expansion Grant Application Period – December 1-31, 2026 Overview webinar: Friday, December 4, at 10 AM Register here This program supports existing creative businesses with at least three years of operation. Eligible businesses must: Have a minimum of three-year history of operations Be a for-profit entity in good standing This grant is available to for-profit, legal entities only. Secretary-of-State data must show a minimum of three years of history prior to application opening date. Sole-proprietor applications are not accepted. If the legal entity recently reorganized, applicants are required to submit legal documentation such as federal or state tax information, Secretary-of-State records, or prior registration. Preferential points will be given to businesses with fewer than ten employees, including part-time staff, and to businesses located in rural areas (outside of the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe) per statutory language requiring that 50% of funding go to rural and underserved 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 – no more than 30% of the total funding request can be consumable inventory tied to , etc., and be used during the grant period. See the FAQ on allowable uses for the Business Development & Expansion Grant program below equipment presence small infrastructure improvements that can be completed within 12 months technology and software improvements capacity for impact economic contribution 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. Review details on the program uses in the FAQ section below. 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 re

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, MainStreet of governments, educational institutions, and other political subdivisions of the state, excluding governments, and state agencies. Projected program timeline: