Skyland Magazine

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Technology & Sustainability

• Capital of Technology and Sustainability: Beginning in 2026, at least 10 major companies in strategic sectors (steel, automotive, food) will begin constructing plants in the San José Chiapa region (formerly Ciudad Modelo).
• Scientific-Technological Park: This region is home to Mexico’s first such park, designed to align with national technological sovereignty goals and foster collaboration between industry and academia.
• Decentralized Public Works: Recent legislative proposals in January 2026 advocate for using sustainable materials in all municipal public works to reduce environmental impact. 

Agriculture & Indigenous Support

• Agricultural Modernization (2026 Plan): The state government is deploying 1,500 pieces of advanced equipment, including tractors, drones for fumigation, and harvesters, aimed at lifting 400,000 families out of food poverty.
• Satellite Monitoring: To ensure transparency and efficiency, all government-issued agricultural machinery in 2026 will be tracked via satellite surveillance.
• Mezcal Production: Puebla has reached a milestone as Mexico's second-largest mezcal producer, with a projected output of one million liters for the 2025–2026 cycle.
• Indigenous Grants: The state continues to issue funding through the Comprehensive Development Program for Indigenous Peoples, which awarded over 124 grants totaling 4.2 million pesos recently to support communal economic and cultural projects. 

Fine Art, Culture & Awards

• University of the Fine Arts (UBA): In 2026, the International Baroque Museum will begin operating as the University of the Fine Arts of Puebla, offering degrees in architecture, cinema, and the seven traditional arts to democratize the space.
• Decentralized Exhibitions: A major itinerant art program running through August 2026 is bringing fine art galleries to six rural municipalities (including Cuetzalan and Zacapoaxtla) to ensure cultural access outside the capital.
• Current Exhibitions:"Arte Viva: COSA MASA": A high-profile collective exhibition featuring 52 works by women artists at the Municipal Palace Gallery, open until January 21, 2026.
• "Raíces y Alas": An exhibition celebrating identity and transformation at the Casa de la Cultura, available until February 1, 2026.
• Awards & Funding: Global opportunities open in early 2026 include the Culture and Animals Foundation Grant (due January 31, 2026) for artists and scholars, and the Indigenous Youth Fellowship for projects starting in March 2026

Artist Call

La Fundación Arquetopia es una galardonada organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Puebla, México, dedicada al arte y la academia con un alcance social y programas de residencia artística internacionales. Se fundó en 2009 con la misión de promover el pensamiento crítico y la transformación social a través de las prácticas artísticas. 

Misión y Enfoque

• Transformación Social: La misión de Arquetopia enfatiza el pensamiento crítico, la reciprocidad y un sentido ético en el núcleo de todas las prácticas artísticas, buscando contribuir al cambio social positivo.
• Independencia: La fundación es una entidad autogestionada y registrada oficialmente en México y Perú que no recibe financiación externa, asegurando su independencia de afiliaciones políticas, religiosas o industriales.
• Diversidad e Inclusión: Arquetopia se compromete a un entorno inclusivo, luchando activamente contra la discriminación al ofrecer acceso a sus programas sin importar raza, género, origen nacional, edad o religión. 

Programas de Residencia

Arquetopia ofrece programas de residencia profesionales, con y sin instrucción, diseñados para artistas, diseñadores, curadores, historiadores del arte, escritores e investigadores mayores de 20 años. 

• Residencias con Instrucción: Programas especializados con maestros mexicanos o peruanos en técnicas como:Cerámica mexicana y precolombina
• Pan de oro (gilding) y estofado
• Grabado y electrograbado
• Pintura orgánica
• Serigrafía con tintas naturales
• Residencias con Mentoría y Autónomas: Programas para arte, diseño, fotografía, historia del arte o investigación cultural, con fechas y duraciones flexibles.
• Residencias para Jóvenes Artistas: Incluye el programa "My First Arquetopia Residency" de 2 semanas para artistas emergentes de 20 a 25 años, con fechas flexibles entre marzo y julio de 2026. 

Ubicación y Contacto

• Dirección: Avenida 15 Poniente 715, Centro Histórico, 72000 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue., México.
• Teléfono: +52 222 594 7728.
• Correo Electrónico: info@arquetopia.org.
• Sitio Web y Convocatorias: Puede encontrar más detalles y formularios de solicitud en el sitio web de Arquetopia Foundation. 

Tenga en cuenta que, por razones de salud, seguridad y privacidad de los residentes y el personal, los espacios de Arquetopia están cerrados a los visitantes y no se ofrecen recorridos guiados. 

Immigration

Migrante Emprende (State Program)

Managed by the Instituto Poblano de Asistencia al Migrante (IPAM), this program provides non-repayable grants to help repatriated individuals start small businesses. 

• Grant Amount: Up to $20,000 MXN for individual projects.
• Collective Projects: Up to $25,000 MXN for groups of 5–7 people.
• Follow-up Support: A second grant of up to $20,000 MXN can be requested if the initial project shows significant progress.
• Eligibility: Must be a returned migrant from Puebla who was undocumented abroad and has been back for no more than five years.
• Usage: Funds are used for equipment or services for businesses like bakeries, carpentry, cafes, or agricultural projects. 

Semilla Migrante (Municipal Program)

The Puebla City Council (Ayuntamiento) recently completed a 2025 cycle and announced that for 2026, the rules will be modified to include family members of migrants as beneficiaries. 

• Amount: $20,000 MXN per person in a project group (often totaling $100,000 MXN per 5-person project).
• Status: While the 2025 call is closed, the 2026 call is expected soon under new "Open Government" guidelines. 

Where to Apply

Interested individuals can apply at the Centro Integral de Servicios (CIS) in Puebla or via the IPAM website. 

• Address: Vía Atlixcáyotl 1101, Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl, 2nd floor.
• Phone: +52 222 303 4600 (Ext. 3311/3322

https://ojp.puebla.gob.mx/media/k2/attachments/Lineamientos_para_la_Operaci%C3%B3n_del_Programa_de_Migrante_Emprende_T5_31052024.pdf

About the Program

The provided PDF outlines the rules of operation for the "Programa Migrante Emprende" (Migrant Entrepreneur Program), a financial aid initiative in the Mexican state of Puebla aimed at helping repatriated Mexican nationals start businesses (pp. 1, 5). This program provides non-repayable economic support and is administered by the Instituto Poblano de Asistencia al Migrante (IPAM) (p. 5).

Summary of the Program

The program's objective is to support Poblano migrants who were undocumented while abroad and have returned to the State of Puebla within the last five years (p. 5). The goal is to foster self-employment and reactivate the local economy through productive and service-based entrepreneurship projects (p. 7).

• Eligibility: Applicants must be original residents of Puebla, have returned from abroad within the last five years, and prove they were undocumented while in the foreign country (pp. 5, 8-9).
• Funding Amount: Individual projects can receive up to $20,000.00 MXN (p. 13). Collective projects (groups of 5 to 7 people) can receive up to $25,000.00 MXN per person (pp. 8, 14).
• Support Type: The aid is a one-time, non-repayable economic benefit (grant) provided via check or bank transfer, specifically for investing in the approved business project (pp. 5, 12). Follow-up support is also possible for successful projects (p. 14).
• Selection Process: Selection prioritizes vulnerable groups like women and the elderly, projects in high-migration regions, and those that promote gender equity or address local socioeconomic problems (pp. 8, 11, 13).
• Requirements: Beneficiaries must attend mandatory, free training courses on developing business plans and provide evidence of how the funds were used (pp. 10, 15). 

Analysis & Interpretation

The program is a key policy instrument for the Puebla government to support reintegration and economic stability for its returned citizens. It targets a specific demographic—undocumented returnees—and provides a structured path from training to funding to encourage sustainable self-employment (pp. 5, 7). 

The inclusion of specific project types, such as agro-industrial, services (carpentry, mechanics, aesthetics), and food processing, demonstrates an understanding of typical community needs and local economic opportunities (pp. 7-8). The emphasis on collective projects encourages community collaboration and potentially increases the project's impact and sustainability (p. 11). The program is overseen by the IPAM, which is responsible for publishing calls, managing applications, and ensuring accountability for the funds (pp. 6, 9).

About the Editor

Carlos Alfredo Maldonado Romero is an art director and the founder of Skyland Universe, a creative studio, and the publisher of Skyland Magazine. Based in Puebla, Mexico, and with previous operations in Nashville, Tennessee, he is known for his work in post-capitalist cultural renaissance, focusing on honoring land, dignity, and Indigenous memory through art, technology, and sustainability.

Summary of Carlos Alfredo Maldonado Romero and Skyland Magazine

• Role & Philosophy: Maldonado Romero is a "sovereign art director" who merges psychology and technology with cultural tradition to facilitate digital transformation. His work emphasizes user experience (UX), sustainability, and functionality across various industries, from pop culture to hospitality and energy solutions.
• Experience: He has been the Art Director for Skyland since March 2022 and the Publisher for Skyland Magazine since 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
• Accolades: His designs have garnered numerous awards, including the "Best Marketing Campaign" for Ekos in 2021.
• Skyland Magazine: The magazine is part of the broader Skyland Universe. General art direction for magazines involves overseeing layouts and visual elements to align with messaging, although specific details on Skyland Magazine's internal processes were not specified in search results.

General Art Director Checklist for the Magazine

This general checklist covers the typical duties and responsibilities an art director performs to maintain a magazine's visual style.

Pre-Production & Planning

• Review editorial calendar and determine visual requirements for each issue.
• Develop a strong visual concept for the cover and key feature articles that aligns with the magazine's brand and tone.
• Assign photographers, illustrators, and designers for specific articles.
• Approve sketches, mockups, and drafts from the creative team.
• Collaborate with the editor-in-chief and writers to ensure the visual narrative complements the text.

Design & Execution

• Design the magazine layout, including article spreads, typography, and image placement.
• Select final images and ensure high quality and appropriate resolution for print/digital publication.
• Oversee color correction and image retouching.
• Manage the design process within the budget and timeline constraints.

Review & Finalization

• Review all pages with the editorial team to check for errors and consistency (proofreading/fact-checking).
• Approve final proofs before sending to print or publishing online.
• Ensure all design elements are legally compliant (copyrights, usage rights).

Post-Production

• Archive all design files and assets appropriately.
• Conduct post-publication review to gather feedback and plan for future issues.