At the invitation of Senator Tom Udall, members of the UNM-Gallup American Indian Business Association attended a July 20 Town Hall meeting to discuss the introduction of the Senator’s CREATE Act. This recent legislation will help New Mexico artists and others working in cultural education and tourism to access resources and gain support for their businesses. Some key provisions of the CREATE Act include:
Support by the Small Business Administration in assisting artists and entrepreneurs in obtaining financial support
Provision of incubators and grant programs that support the arts industry from key governmental units such as the Economic Development Administration and Rural Development Administration
Revised laws that give artists a more equitable tax deduction for the market value of their artwork rather than just for materials used
Encouragement of a more global influx of artwork to museums and educational institutions by expedition of visa processes
By Marilee Petranovich
University of New Mexico - Gallup