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Downtown Las Cruces Partnership Arts & Cultural District and Silver City Arts & Cultural District are among 10 projects across New Mexico awarded Art and Cultural District Pilot Grants, powering economic growth and celebrating the cultural identities of local creative districts.
Las Cruces will transform one of North America’s most historic trade routes into a walkable cultural experience with its $100,000 grant. Plans include creative signage, cultural mapping, murals, and events that celebrate local history.
In Silver City, plans for its $100,000 include expansion of the historic Silco Theater to include a flexible black box-style performance space. The project will strengthen the performing arts scene, increase downtown economic activity, and position the Silco as a regional cultural hub.
The pilot grants of up to $100,000 each will help ACDs implement creative programming, support local economies, and highlight the value of sustained investment. Many of these projects use “creative placemaking,” an approach that integrates art and culture into community spaces to boost connection, vitality, and economic opportunity.
Developed by the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Creative Industries Division in partnership with New Mexico Arts and New Mexico MainStreet, the one-time initiative will demonstrate the impact of directly funding state-authorized ACDs.
Desired outcomes include increased foot traffic, creative infrastructure improvements, adaptive reuse of facilities like theaters, and business growth in the districts.
“When we invest in New Mexico’s creative people and places, we’re investing in our future,” said cabinet secretary Rob Black of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. “These projects show how art, culture, and community can come together to strengthen neighborhoods, grow local economies, and tell the story of who we are.”
“The ACD Pilot demonstrates what happens when we resource creative communities with intention and trust,” added CID Director Shani Harvie. “We are confident this initiative will be a proof of concept that highlights the transformative potential of local creative economies and builds the case for sustainable, long-term investment.”
Other award recipients include downtown Albuquerque, Artesia, Carlsbad, Los Alamos, Mora, Raton, Gallup, and Las Vegas.
