Silver City -- The Silver City Museum's core exhibit, Silver City 101, will literally come to life, thanks to a $100,000 grant award from the newly established Creative Industries Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. The Silver City Museum is one of just 18 entities in the state to receive this inaugural grant award, and Museum Director Bart Roselli said the funds will be used to partner with local theater groups to create ongoing living history presentations, based on this exhibit, which showcases Silver City's rich and diverse past.

"We are very proud and delighted to be among the very first projects to be awarded this prestigious grant," said Roselli. "I applaud the Governor and state legislature for creating new energy and support for the creative aspects of our state.  We will use these funds to greatly improve our work as an interactive, community-focused museum and tourist attraction. This grant will help us celebrate the diverse history of Silver City and Grant County, and in the course of that, elevate Silver City as a tourist destination, thereby supporting the local economy."

The $1.8 million grant program is a result of House Bill 8, which passed during the 2023 legislative session, and is designed to stimulate economic development through creative industries. The Silver City Museum is a key tourist destination, and the funds will allow museum staff to redesign the museum's Silver City 101 exhibit, adding new, multi-media elements to deepen content, make the exhibit more interactive, and increase visitor satisfaction. 

In the letter from the New Mexico Economic Development Department announcing the grant award,  Deputy Secretary Jon Clark stated, "Your project demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and a clear commitment to advancing the creative industries in your region, and stood out for its potential to make a significant impact on our creative economy. "Your dedication and vision are truly commendable, and we are excited to see your ideas come to life."