Arts & Entertainment
"New Mexico has a workforce that is rich in cultural and linguistic diversity. We need to work together to expand the wealth that higher education will bring to our communities."
Gregory Heltman,
Founder and Director,
Santa Fe Symphony
Are You Interested in a Career in the Arts?
There are several career paths in the arts and entertainment industries:
- Entrepreneurship
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Foreign Languages
- Design
Arts and Entertainment industries, especially those tied to the state's diverse cultural and ethnic traditions have been at the heart of New Mexico's economy for hundreds of years.
Nationally, employment in the Arts and Entertainment sector has been on a rapid rise. At home, the New Mexico Economic Development Department has invested considerable resources to grow the state's film production sector and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs has emphasized programs that prepare artists and designers to market and sell their work.
New Mexico's flourishing film industry has exploded over the last four years. Film-related investments have increased by 1,000%, jumping from $8 million to $100 million. 2006 has been a banner year for film production in New Mexico, serving more productions and training more crew than ever before. The membership of the New Mexico Union of Theatrical and Stage Employees has increased from 50 to 800.
The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs reports that cultural organizations employed more than 32,000 New Mexicans in 2003 and estimates that cultural industries have a $2.5 billion impact on the state's economy. New Mexico has 6 museums per 100,000 people, more than twice the national average. In addition, the state has 127 performing arts companies that employ 1,600.
The New Mexico Department of Labor projects the number of jobs for art and design workers will increase by 1,700 through 2012.
Professionals in this field create, produce and distribute art and manage artistic enterprises.