New Mexico Statutes Chapter 15. Administration of Government § 15-5A-5. State-authorized districts

A. The coordinator shall review applications submitted by municipalities, citizens or nonprofit organizations for the purpose of designating an arts and cultural district and make a recommendation to the commission for action on each application. Citizens and nonprofit organizations that submit an application shall include a formal endorsement of the application by the municipal government in which the proposed district is to be located.

B. After reviewing an application for the designation of an arts and cultural district, the commission shall approve or reject the application or send it back to the applicant with a request for changes or additional information.

C. The commission shall designate no more than five arts and cultural districts in a calendar year. Rejected applicants may re-apply without prejudice.

D. If the commission approves an application for the designation of an arts and cultural district, it shall notify the applicant in writing and shall specify the terms and conditions of the commission's approval, including the terms and conditions set forth in the application and as modified by written agreement between the applicant and the commission.

E. After the commission approves an application for the designation of a state-authorized arts and cultural district, the applicable municipality may pass a local ordinance to establish the state-authorized arts and cultural district pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the approved application. Municipalities may administer arts and cultural districts through a newly created local commission with a specific mission to oversee the district subject to review by the municipality.