New Mexico celebrates with a season-long set of events
The New Mexico Creative Industries Division announced seven grantees for the 2025 Creative Industries Season.
The Creative Industries Division is housed within the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD). This year’s theme, Collaboration in Creativity, is dedicated to fostering connections and partnerships across New Mexico’s creative economy. The season is a continuation of the 2024 Creative Industries Week.
The call for applications for the inaugural Creative Industries Season sponsorship program received 30 responses, with seven grantees chosen to have their events sponsored and showcased as creative economy collaborations throughout the season, which started March 15 and will go through June 15.
In addition to the seven in-person sponsored events, Creative Industries Season will feature workshops and technical assistance opportunities, including creative business fellowships, writers’ circles, networking events, open office hours and live virtual discussions as part of the statewide celebration.
The selected events are a remarkable demonstration of the power of New Mexico’s creativity. Here are the grantees:
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology — Performing Arts Series, “All Hands on Deck,” stage production and entertainment technology for a small-town musical. After the instructional session on Thursday, the workshops begin. Participants have the unique opportunity to train behind the scenes as a real production (“All Hands on Deck”) unfolds and earn certificates of completion to showcase their skills. The workshops take place from March 29 to April 6 at the Macey Center Theater and Conference Center in Socorro. For more information, call 575-835-5688 or email [email protected].
The Southwestern Association for Indian Art (SWAIA) Native Fashion Week takes place from May 8 to 11 at the Santa Fe Railyard. It brings together leading Native designers, artists and industry professionals for an unforgettable showcase of sartorial excellence and cultural expression. This event is a platform for Native designers to shape the future of the industry while honoring their culture and community. For a detailed event schedule and tickets, visit swaia.org.
Taos County: The Taos County Creative Entrepreneur Exhibition and Symposium takes place May 9-18 at the Stables Gallery at the Taos Center for the Arts, 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos. The gallery offers business development workshops, exhibition space and networking opportunities for local creatives, and is launching the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program. Additionally, free training and workshops will be provided by Taos SBDC (Small Business Development Center at University of New Mexico-Taos) on business formation, business structures and navigating the New Mexico gross receipts tax system, as well as tax workshops from Rio Grande CPA to creatives who have not previously engaged with the program. For more information, visit taoscounty.org.
The Los Alamos Arts Council’s Spring Arts and Crafts Fair takes place on May 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at multiple locations in Los Alamos, including the Fuller Lodge lawn, 2132 Central Ave.; Samizdat Bookstore; local libraries and restaurants/craft breweries. For more information, visit losalamosartscouncil.org.
Explora: Makers in Residence takes place from May to June at X Studio, Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum, 1701 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque. During the residence, participants create unique and compelling artworks and installations at Explora in collaboration with museum visitors. Makers in Residence will incorporate a variety of skills and areas with the goal of engaging visitors in guided creative projects. Explora Makers in Residence have access to a budget and Makerspace time and tools. For more information, visit explora.us.
Parallel Studios Inc.: CURRENTS 2025: Art & Technology Festival + Symposium — Art & Technology in a Culture of Speed takes place from June 13 to 15 at El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, 555 Camino de la Familia, Santa Fe. For more information, visit currentsnewmedia.org
LeeCooks CHURCH: Taos Juneteenth 2025. June 14-15 at multiple locations in Taos, including Revolt Gallery, 222 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte; Bodega by CHURCH, 226A Paseo Del Pueblo Norte and Buttercup, 118 Cam De La Placita.
“New Mexico is home to innovative companies in digital media, architecture, performing arts, technology and more,” EDD Cabinet Secretary-Designate Rob Black said. “This intersection of technology and innovation presents significant opportunities for entrepreneurs and communities to thrive, and these events will highlight this incredible work.”
Creative Industries Division Director Shani Harvie added, “By focusing this year’s celebration on the power of collaboration, we aim to inspire creatives to join forces, pool their talent and take on bigger projects than they could alone. When we work together, we can stretch resources further, amplify impact, and open doors to new opportunities.”
According to Steve Simpson, dean of Arts and Sciences and professor of Communication at New Mexico Tech, the grant will help to secure the necessary technology and venue space for a small-town musical. “But it will also assist with our plans to provide local creatives with hands-on experience working on sound, lights, and stage design for a live entertainment production. We hope to empower community members in our rural area to host their own live events,” he said.
“Thanks to the Creative Industries Grant, we are able to funnel more resources directly to creative entrepreneurs in Taos … . This sponsorship will boost their visibility and success at our annual Juneteenth Event,” chef and owner of LeeCooks Church, Leondra Clayton, said. (LeeCooks Church is a catering project that pays homage to the Black Baptist church through food, visuals and events.)
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