Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Program Awardees

2025 Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Awardees

Incubator Level Grantees:

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

Innovator Level Grantees:

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

Signature Event Grantees:

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

2024 Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Awardees

Incubator Level Grantees:

Albuquerque Little Theatre - $10,000 for “Echo in the Canyon: Lifting up Native, Indigenous, and Local Storytellers” literary festival
Blackout Theatre Company - $5,000 for “Big Doors NM,” a collaborative multimedia project highlighting Albuquerque’s traditions and historic neighborhoods
Cardboard Playhouse - $10,000 for “Second Saturdays,” a monthly event showcasing Albuquerque’s performing arts scene
CLAY + CODA - $10,000 for “Modish Market,” a weekend-long event celebrating Albuquerque's mid-century modern design, history and cultural traditions
CoCreations Candle Shop - $10,000 for “Scents of the Southwest,” candle-making classes geared toward travelers
M’Tucci’s Bar Roma - $10,000 for the preservation and revitalization of the Jones Motor Company promenade
Nob Hill MainStreet - $10,000 for "Rhythm and Roots on Route 66,” a weekend celebration of the Nob Hill neighborhood
Santa Fe Art Tours - $10,000 for the relaunch of Albuquerque Old Town art tours
The Mothership Alumni - $10,000 for infrastructure improvements to the Yrisarri building in Downtown
Upside Goods Co. - $10,000 for a holiday market that will pair interactive experiences with a traditional holiday market

Innovator Level Grantees:

AMP Concerts - $35,000 for “Winrock Free Concert Series,” six concerts happening in the summer of 2025 at the amphitheater at the Park at Winrock Town Center
Artemis Promotions, Inc. - $10,000 for the 2nd Annual Lowrider Fest
Blue River Productions - $45,000 for a chocolate and coffee week, with chocolate and coffee-related events, activities and dining experiences throughout the city
Casa Flamenca - $20,000 to refresh the outdoor performance space
Downtown Albuquerque MainStreet and Arts & Cultural District - $20,000 for the “Albuquerque Fermentation & Fungi Fest,” a celebration of fungi and all-things fermented
Flamenco Works - $25,000 for “Fiesta Flamenca Burqueña,” an event bringing flamenco to downtown Albuquerque
Flyby Provisions - $25,000 for “The Nightbird Trolley,” an experience connecting Old Town and Downtown small businesses
Friends of the Orphan Signs - $25,000 for phase two of restoring, rehabilitating and renovating empty and abandoned local signage
FUSION - $40,000 for the “Rising High Arts Festival,” which will include 11 days of arts activities in downtown Albuquerque
Historic Old Town Association - $25,000 for initiatives to enhance the Old Town visitor experience, support local businesses and preserve the unique character of Old Town
Luna and Luz - $40,000 for “SESSIONS,” an immersive experience into the arts and culture of the Southwest
New Mexico Restaurant Association - $15,000 to bring back “Albuquerque Restaurant Week,” an annual event highlighting the city’s vibrant cuisine
New Mexico Trade Alliance - $25,000 for “Space Valley Festival,” a new experience integrating Albuquerque’s rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge space exploration activities
TourABQ - $25,000 for Route 66 Centennial trolley tours

Signature Event Grantees:

Day of the Tread – an 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
Festival Flamenco – the largest flamenco event held outside of Spain

2023 Visit Albuquerque Tourism Grant Awardees

Incubator Level Grantees:

Artemis Productions - $10,000 for enhancement of Albuquerque’s Lowrider Fest
DowntownABQ MainStreet and Arts & Cultural District - $10,000 for enhanced elements at Downtown Growers’ Market and ABQ Artwalk
Flyby Provisions - $10,000 for enhanced Downtown pop-up events
Homewise - $5,000 for historic walking tour and Barelas history project
Lapis Room - $10,000 for event offerings elevating visual, performing and culinary artists of New Mexico
New Nuevo - $10,000 for experiential tourism offerings
Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals - $10,000 for student and youth educational tour program

Innovator Level Grantees:

Adelante Development Center - $50,000 for durable medical equipment rental services to promote accessible tourism
Big Jim Farms - $50,000 for expansion projects and new holiday programming
Day of the Tread - $10,000 for inaugural “Bone Shaker” gravel grinder event
Electric Playhouse - $50,000 for an immersive, digital experience introducing visitors to quintessential Albuquerque activities
Friends of the Orphan Signs - $25,000 for historic sign preservation and artist opportunities
Gathering of Nations - $25,000 for enhancements to existing signature event
Gujrati Samaj of New Mexico - $25,000 for expansion of existing events
Heritage Hotels & Resorts - $31,000 for signage highlighting visitor experiences in the Sawmill District, including museums
Mariachi Spectacular - $25,000 for enhancements to existing signature event
National Institute of Flamenco - $50,000 ($25,000 for enhancements to existing signature event and $25,000 for expansion of year-round flamenco performances)
New Mexico Wine & Grape Growers Association - $23,000 for interactive custom wine experiences