State Authorized Arts and Cultural District (ACD) Pilot Grant Program

The State Authorized Arts and Cultural District (ACD) Pilot Grant Program is a one-time initiative launched by the Creative Industries Division within the New Mexico Economic Development Department. This pilot grant represents a strategic investment in state-authorized Arts and Cultural Districts to demonstrate their potential for stimulating economic development and enriching cultural vitality through direct support. As a pilot initiative, it aims to provide catalytic funding that builds a compelling case for future ongoing support through a dedicated mechanism, potentially outside the Creative Industries Division. The program is designed to empower ACDs to implement high-impact programming that leverages creative industries as engines of community revitalization and economic activity. Grant recipients will be expected to develop and execute projects that not only uplift local creative sectors but also enhance cultural engagement and tourism, generate new economic opportunities, and drive broader community investment. While specific spending restrictions are not detailed, all funded activities must align with the division’s statutory goals for creative industry development. Eligible applicants are limited to state-authorized Arts and Cultural Districts, which must be recognized as legal entities under New Mexico law. Individual applicants and sole proprietorships are explicitly ineligible, in accordance with Creative Industries Division statutory requirements. Eligible entities must also have at least three years of operational history in programming or services at the time of application submission. The application window for the pilot grant runs from August 4 to August 29, 2025, with a strict closing time of 6:00 PM Mountain Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. The division will host a grant overview webinar typically held the Friday following the grant announcement to address questions. Outside of this session, questions will only be answered if they relate to accessibility or technical submission issues—not the content of application materials. Applications will be competitively reviewed in September 2025 using a formal rubric and a scoring committee composed of department staff, ambassadors, and reviewers who must adhere to conflict-of-interest policies. At least 50% of funding is mandated to support projects located in rural or underserved communities. Awards are expected to be announced and processed in October and November 2025, with funded project periods running from December 2025 through December 2026. Award amounts are anticipated to be up to $100,000 per grantee, although this figure is subject to change. Payments may take 8–16 weeks or longer to be processed due to state verification protocols, finance team availability, and grantee responsiveness. All applicants must provide a W-9, which can take several weeks to process through the state system. Matching funds are not explicitly required for this opportunity, but applications that include local financial or in-kind support may score more competitively based on the review rubric. Final reporting requirements and metrics will be determined at the time of award.

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