After years of growth, Las Cruces is at a juncture where it can distinguish itself as a cultural destination. Arts, culture, and maker activities are percolating throughout the community, demonstrating creative production and artistry. Residents of Las Cruces value their contributions to the widely recognized arts and culture of New Mexico and are working to gain more recognition of their community, its history, and its unique cultural assets by imagining and implementing visionary creative potential.
OUR ROLE
The role that arts and cultural districts play in providing a vibrant and appealing environment is a major factor in retaining young citizens and their families, attracting a diverse, well-educated and creative workforce, and positioning the community as a cultural tourist destination. Arts and cultural districts bring citizens out from their homes and into a vibrant social space to interact and bond with their families and neighbors; and the community’s young talent is showcased and recognized as part of the cultural landscape.
The role that arts and cultural districts play in providing a vibrant and appealing environment is a major factor in retaining young citizens and their families, attracting a diverse, well-educated and creative workforce, and positioning the community as a cultural tourist destination. Arts and cultural districts bring citizens out from their homes and into a vibrant social space to interact and bond with their families and neighbors; and the community’s young talent is showcased and recognized as part of the cultural landscape.
CHECK OUT ACD'S PROJECTS
GENERATIONS
LAS CRUCES
FACADE SQUAD
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
VENTANAS VIVAS
PUBLIC ART
In 2014, an ACD Task Force was formed to explore opportunities to create an ACD in Las Cruces. The Task Force was anchored by the Doña Ana Arts Council, Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, and the City. In 2015, the Task Force re-formed into a cross-sector, 11-member ACD Coordinating Council and began developing the first “municipally-designated” ACD in New Mexico. The Council researched the designated New Mexico districts, national trends, and outcomes of other districts, and determined that the establishment of a unique cultural identity was paramount.
Transformation of downtown from the unsuccessful 1967 urban renewal to a thriving business, entertainment, and residential area has been underway since planning and studies started in 1994. The ACD Plan is a new layer that creates a vibrant social and economic space that extends throughout the Main Street area and the Mesquite Street Historic District.
GOAL
ONE
FOSTER
ECONOMIC
GROWTH
GOAL
TWO
IMPROVE
COMMUNITY'S
QUALITY
OF LIFE
GOAL THREE
HONOR
& PROMOTE
LAS CRUCES
HISTORY
& CULTURE
GOAL FOUR
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT &
IMPLEMENTATION
CHECK OUT OUR NEWSLETTER TO SEE WHAT WE ARE UP TO
