STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Visit Albuquerque, the city’s official destination marketing organization (DMO), has announced the recipients of its 2025 Tourism Grant Program. Now in its third year, the program aims to spark innovative ideas that enhance Albuquerque’s vibrancy, create engaging experiences for visitors along with residents, promote tourism, and strengthen the community.

This year, Visit Albuquerque received 85 grant applications requesting a total of $2.75 million in funding. Among a pool of exceptional applications, 32 applications were selected to receive grants, with $500,000 awarded across two grant tiers and a signature events category. The awards include 14 Incubator grants, 14 Innovator grants and support for four signature events.

“Visit Albuquerque is honored to support these inspiring projects that elevate the unique aspects of our city and align with the goals of Albuquerque’s Destination Master Plan,” Tania Armenta said, president and CEO of Visit Albuquerque. “These initiatives will enhance visitor experiences, support the celebration of the Route 66 centennial in 2026, and help attract visitors during slower seasons. Visit Albuquerque is dedicated to supporting these investments to further elevate Albuquerque as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings and events.”

The program is made possible due to revenue generated by the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District (ATMD), a coalition of approximately 150 local lodging properties that agreed to an assessment for guests on overnight stays. Visit Albuquerque uses the assessed dollars to expand marketing of the city as a destination and enhance the visitor experience. Recipients of Incubator grants were eligible to receive up to $10,000 for project implementation, while recipients of Innovator grants were eligible for up to $100,000 in funding with a matching requirement.

2025 Incubator Grant Recipients:

• Adelante Development Center – Albuquerque Accessibility Resources, $10,000
• Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Co. – Second Saturdays, $10,000
• Duke City Repertory Theatre – New Works/New Spaces Festival, $10,000
• Friends of the Orphan Signs – ABQ: It’s a Sign (sign restoration), $5,000
• Itality Plant Based Foods – Plant-Based Culinary & Sustainability Experiences of New Mexico, $10,000
• Kustom Hoppers – A Cultural Preservation Initiative (immersive lowrider storytelling initiative), $10,000
• M’tucci’s Bar Roma – Route 66 Music Series, $10,000
• National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation – 2nd Annual Luminito Celebration, $10,000
• New Mexico Restaurant Association – Albuquerque Restaurant Week, $10,000
• New Mexico Wine & Grape Growers Association – Albuquerque Wine Month, $10,000
• Remedy Coffee – Courtyard and Event Space Upgrade, $10,000
• RunFit – NM Route 66 “Mother Road” Mini Marathon, $10,000
• Sherwood Coffee ‘n’ Bread, LLC – Taste of the Southwest: Culinary Tourism Experience Series, $10,000
• Wheels Museum – Southwest Transportation Festival, $10,000

2025 Innovator Grant Recipients:

• AMP Concerts – Live @ Winrock Free Concert Series, $25,000
• Artemis Promotions, Inc. – New Mexico Route 66 Fest (expanded Lowrider Fest), $15,000
• Arts Hub – Funny Fiesta, $15,000
• Blue River Productions – Southwest Glowup Expo (fashion, skincare and self-care expo), $30,000
• Casa Flamenca – Arts al Aire, $15,000
• Explora – Outdoor Learning Experience on Explora Trails, $30,000
• Flamenco Works, Inc. – Fiesta Flamenca Burqueña, $25,000
• Historic Old Town Association – Corazon de Route 66 (events and storytelling campaign), $25,000
• Indian Pueblo Cultural Center – Pueblo Pathways (culinary showcases and tourism-focused packaging), $30,000
• Luna and Luz – Art Migrates (artist residency program), $20,000
• Meltdown Studios, LLC – Southwest Studio Sessions: Connecting Jewelers in Culture and Craft, $25,000
• National Museum of Nuclear Science & History – Spyglass: A Festival of Espionage and Atoms, $30,000
• Passport to Pueblo Country – An Authentic Cultural Experience (Native-led guided day trips), $25,000
• Pleased to Present – Downtown Art Gallery, $15,000

In addition, four event applications were selected to receive signature event funding. These events will receive $10,000 in funding plus a customized marketing campaign that will help ensure these long-established events continue to thrive. As part of its overarching marketing strategy, Visit Albuquerque works to promote the variety of signature and notable events that take place throughout the year.

2025 Signature Event Recipients:

• Day of the Tread – annual Halloween- and Day-of-the-Dead-themed bicycle race
• Gathering of Nations – the largest Native American powwow in North America
• Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque – the largest and most comprehensive mariachi concert and conference event in the country
• National Institute of Flamenco’s Festival Flamenco Alburquerque – the largest flamenco event held outside of Spain

The grantees will soon begin implementing their respective projects, with oversight and collaboration from Visit Albuquerque. The application period for the next grant cycle will open in the spring of 2026. For more information on the Tourism Grant Program, contact grants@visitabq.org.

About Visit Albuquerque

Visit Albuquerque is an accredited destination marketing organization (DMO), and a private, not-for-profit organization [501(c)(6)]. The mission of Visit Albuquerque is to stimulate economic growth by marketing Albuquerque as a convention, sports and visitor destination. For more information, go to www.VisitABQ.org.