Arts & Cultural Districts

New Mexico Arts & Cultural Districts promote the exceptional art and history of New Mexico in unique communities that create dynamic and economically vibrant districts. The Arts & Cultural Districts program was established by the Legislature in 2007 as a comprehensive economic development strategy designed to capitalize on the expanding creative economy.

New Mexico has 12 affiliated Arts & Cultural Districts.

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About the Program

About the Program

The Arts & Cultural Districts Program is a joint effort of three state agencies and private entities including New Mexico MainStreet, Department of Cultural Affairs divisions: New Mexico Arts and Historic Preservation, Tourism Department, and the McCune Charitable Foundation. The New Mexico Arts Commission is the state authorizer for new Arts & Cultural Districts while New Mexico MainStreet administers the program.

State-authorized Arts & Cultural Districts receive incentives such as assistance with developing cultural plans and enhanced historic tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic structures within the district. Each partner offers specialized assistance to the districts.

State-Authorized Districts

Municipalities, Tribal Governments and Counties (where the village or town is unincorporated), under 50,000 in population who wish to invest in a cultural economic development revitalization strategy program, can inquire to the State Arts & Cultural District Coordinator about the application process. New Arts & Cultural Districts are added based on new legislative appropriations to the program. The New Mexico Arts & Cultural District Act (2007) specifies the general parameters and conditions for development. The ACD Start-Up process was established to provide start-up districts a period to build local ACD Coordinating Council capacity through collaboration with state Divisions, Agencies, and Institutions who assist the local Council with research and professional technical assistance.

State-Authorized Arts & Cultural Compounds and Institutions

There are often public cultural assets in a community that lie outside of an ACD District boundary but contribute to the cultural economy of the District. Or the cultural asset may serve as a destination in its own right but lacks the traditional amenities of a district for cultural and heritage tourists such as hotels, restaurants and/or cohesive grouping of businesses that comprise a central business district. Such Institutions and Cultural Compounds may apply for State Authorization as a Compound or an Institution.

Municipally Designated Districts

Communities of more than 50,000 in population are empowered through the New Mexico Arts & Cultural District Act to municipally designate their own ACD District. The New Mexico Arts & Cultural District Act does prescribe the same parameters and conditions for municipally designated as State-Authorized districts. However, municipally designated ACD districts use their own resources rather than partner with the state.

It is important to note that communities that undertake Municipal Designation may, after accomplishing their own start-up process, petition the ACD State Coordinator to be State Authorized.

Applications

The state’s Arts & Cultural District Council meets twice a year to review district planning efforts and monitor community progress. Applications for new districts are accepted as funding is available. Applicants are recommended by the Arts & Cultural Districts State Coordinator to the New Mexico Arts Commission, which officially designates the districts.