The Artist Blend was an exclusive space for artistic expression and collaboration nestled in the heart of Downtown ABQ. From March to June, we hosted a curated series of meetups at various coffee shops, bringing together a diverse community of local artists, musicians, writers, and crafters.

Learn More HERE >

BICI Bike Share

Launched on National Bike to Work Day on May 15, 2015, with 65 bicycles and 13 stations throughout downtown Albuquerque, Downtown Albuquerque's bike share program is now known as Pace and operates under the Rio Metro Regional Transit District. The program has expanded to include 250 bicycles and 41 stations- an incredible success story that connects Downtown to the rest of the city. This program was made possible with a seed grant from PNM, and additional private sponsorships. Thank you to the Mid-Region Council of Governments for usage data and graphics.

KABOOM! Grant

As part of MainStreet’s Civic Plaza placemaking program, we were the recipients of a Kaboom Imagination Playground. These famous blue blocks provide children the opportunity to design and build their own playground, working alone or collaboratively. The imagination playground is a perfect contribution to the shaping of Civic Plaza into a true community place, welcoming and engaging for all ages and interests.

Pop-Up Retail

Our pop-up retail initiative was started in 2013 in an effort to mitigate Downtown’s high rate of storefront vacancies. Since then, we’ve given over a dozen local and online-based retailers the opportunity to have a brick-and-mortar Downtown shop for up to a month, and drew in hundreds of customers to arts events, book signings, shop openings, and more.

Makeshift Grant

Makeshift Grant provided up to $2,500 for Downtown art installations from March 2018 – March 2019. Working Classroom, Helen Atkins, and OT Circus were the recipients of grant funding. This grant opportunity was made possible with support from the Albuquerque Community Foundation.

Three Sisters Kitchen

Three Sisters Kitchen is a non-profit community food space in the heart of downtown Albuquerque. A place where delicious, affordable, and locally produced foods come together to nourish our community from the ground up.

LED Lighting

In the spring of 2014, we were awarded a $15,000 grant by local energy provider PNM to install LED-neon lighting along the Central Avenue (Route 66) light poles in the heart of downtown. Additional funding provided by the City of Albuquerque completed the project. The LED lighting added a festive atmosphere during the holidays, increased pedestrian lighting, and celebrated the historic significance of neon lighting along Route 66.

The project was engineered by P. Joseph Barron, Architecture and Lighting Design.

Creative Survey

This survey of 369 respondents who participate in the creative economy of downtown Albuquerque looks at the creative economy of Albuquerque, and the needs of businesses and individuals who define themselves as being part of a creative industry. Data presented contributes to the fields of economics, local cultural policy, and arts management, with further implications in sociology and marketing.

Silver Spoon Kitchen

The Silver Spoon is a mobile kitchen in a retrofitted Airstream trailer. This project was made possible by a $200,000 Heart of the Community grant from Southwest Airlines, in partnership with the Project for Public Spaces, SMG, and the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Bud Light and Keep America Beautiful Grant

In June of 2014, we coordinated over 60 volunteers for the Bud Light/Keep America Beautiful “Do Good. Have Fun” event, part of a national series of volunteer events staged by both organizations. Volunteers planted over 30 street trees along Central Avenue, painted 15 large concrete planters, and planted drought-tolerant flowers and grasses. The event was made possible with a grant from Bud Light and Keep American Beautiful. Volunteers enjoyed pizza and beer afterwards courtesy of JC’s New York Pizza Department and Bud Light.

New Mexico True

Downtown is New Mexico True. This promotional video was created as part of the New Mexico True campaign and explores and celebrates all the beautiful things Downtown has to offer.

Street Tree Program

The DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative has received several street tree grants from the City of Albuquerque and Keep Albuquerque Beautiful. We have relied on community partners and volunteers at Amy Biehl High School, PNM, Community Service workers, and the Downtown Action Team Ambassador Program for support.

MurosABQ

MurosABQ is the first and only directory of Albuquerque’s murals. The Downtown Albuquerque Arts & Cultural District contributed to the collaborative project by sourcing mural, location, and artist information.

Living Archive of Urban Indians

A Living Archive of Urban Indians utilizes mapping, public art, and urban exploration to present the historic legacy of downtown architectural landmarks for and about Urban Indians in Albuquerque.

Ascent

Applications are closed for 2019’s Ascent: Business Skills for Creatives program.

This program is in partnership with the City of Albuquerque’s Tipping Points Program and is made possible by a grant from New Mexico Gas/Emera.