NM CreativeCon reaches out to state’s artists and entrepreneurs

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – New Mexico’s creative community will gather in Albuquerque this weekend for NM CreativeCon, a statewide conference focused on helping artists, entrepreneurs and organizations connect with resources to grow their work and strengthen the state’s creative economy.

Hosted by the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Creative Industries Division, CreativeCon has traveled throughout New Mexico since March, bringing together creative professionals, business owners, nonprofits and community leaders. The Albuquerque event on June 6 will serve as the final stop in the 2026 conference series.

According to Shani Harvie, director of the Creative Industries Division, the conference is designed to help participants discover programs and services that can support their work.

“It’s an opportunity for us to introduce the resources and services available throughout the state to serve creative organizations and entrepreneurs,” says Harvie.

The event is open to a wide range of attendees, including artists, makers, designers, musicians, creative entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, developers and anyone interested in New Mexico’s creative future.

Participants can choose from three workshop tracks covering topics such as funding opportunities, grants, pricing creative work and statewide support programs. The conference will also feature networking opportunities, presentations from Creative Industries grantees, a professional headshot station and conversations focused on the future of New Mexico’s creative economy.

Harvie explains that New Mexico’s artistic traditions and creative industries play an important role in communities across the state and contribute to economic growth.

“So much of New Mexico’s identity is wrapped up in creativity, whether that’s pottery, painting, jewelry, dancing, Chimayó weaving or something else,” says Harvie.

Organizers hope attendees leave with new connections, practical business tools and a better understanding of the resources available to help creative ventures succeed. Harvie said the goal is to connect people with organizations and programs that can help them take the next step in their creative journey.

“We want people to know that there are several organizations and programs that can help them connect to those resources,” says Harvie.

NM CreativeCon will take place Saturday, June 6, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Albuquerque Journal Theatre inside the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 Fourth St. SW). Tickets are $16 and include lunch and refreshments. More information and registration are available at the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s CreativeCon website.