The PASEO is a festival dedicated to bringing the art of installation, performance and projection to the streets of Taos, New Mexico. This two-day outdoor event, set in the high desert of Taos, New Mexico, is in its tenth year, and is scheduled for Friday and Saturday evening, September 15th and 16th, 2023.

The PASEO is seeking work that is immersive, participatory, and/or will make a dynamic impact within the Taos Historic District of Taos during this evening festival, scheduled to start at sunset and run to 11pm. PASEO 2022 brought thousands of people to the streets of Taos to experience this annual celebration. 

Additionally, Artists are encouraged to share their process of art -making with the Taos community. As part of the application process artists are invited to submit proposals for adult and youth workshops, lectures and forums.  

Eligibility:

The PASEO seeks works that are immersive, site-responsive, participatory, and/or will make a dynamic impact within the Taos Historic District. 

The Festival features installations, projection, and performance art that can be installed, shown, projected, or performed outdoors for this two-day outdoor art festival. Installations must be designed for nighttime viewing. Artists must be on site sunset - 11pm daily, September 15th and 16th. Artwork must be able to withstand the outdoor environment of the high desert of Northern New Mexico. Overnight security is provided. Please check out our website for examples of past work.

Applicants are encouraged to respond to our 2023 theme, The Terrestrial: Referred to by French philosopher Bruno Latour as “a space we will discover and invent as we come to terms with other species and our fellow humans,” we are seeking works that help inspire and awaken our deep human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings. The age of Anthropocene forces us to consider the actions we take and our relationships we have with the world around us. This year we’re excited to learn about work that explores human-to-nature relationships that may be occurring within ourselves, our community, and our globe.

Submissions must be of fully executed projects. No concept proposals. All work must be original and created by or under the direction of the artist(s). Collaborations are welcome. Artwork must match type & quality submitted for jurying.

The PASEO is seeking 20 installations for 2023. We provide stipends ranging from $500 - $3,000 (with larger projects funded at $5,000-$15,000). Stipend is contingent on size, complexity, and anticipated festival impact. PASEO provides funds for the shipping of artwork, but artists are responsible for the installation of their work. The festival will provide staff and volunteers to assist. Please see our website for what we do and do not pay for.

NOTE: The PASEO does not feature artist booths or sales. The PASEO does not hire live bands or musical performances. The PASEO hosts Performance Art (not performing arts). SPECIFICALLY: "Performance Art may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned .... The performance can be live or via media. It can be any situation that involves four basic elements: time, space, the performer's body, or presence in a medium, and a relationship between performer and audience."

About:

The PASEO started in 2014 as an outdoor arts festival connecting the 40th annual Taos Fall Arts Festival in the Downtown Historic District of Taos, New Mexico. In its tenth year, The PASEO has become the anticipated art event of the year, bringing out thousands of locals and visitors alike to fill the streets. Taos is a centuries-old Art's Community and home to Taos Pueblo, UNESCO protected and the oldest continually inhabited community in North America. Home to artists for centuries, The PASEO holds to the tradition of bringing artists from around the world to both inspire and be inspired.  

PASEO Education Program

The PASEO engages the entire community through educational programs that happen before and during the annual event. The PASEO regularly partners with local arts organizations, local artists, Museums, and galleries in hosting these events. Events include lectures and talks, workshops, demos, local collaborations, and trainings. Applicants are invited to submit proposals for pre-teen, teen, and adults activities. Stipends available. 

PASEO STEAM WEEK: As part of the application process artists are invited to submit proposals for PASEO STEAM WEEK: Artists who are engaged in the creative hybridization of cutting-edge technologies, art and science are encouraged to apply. If selected, artists are partnered with schools in Taos, encouraging art and science teachers to collaborate to enhance the STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, math + arts) component. Students work with their artist(s) up to one week prior (or in the summer) with possibilities of sharing their work live at The PASEO event. This program engages middle and secondary educational institutions in the art-making process. Additional stipends are available for eligible artists.

Application Requirements

Application Requirements:

1. Project Statement
2. Project Proposal uploaded document
   1. Includes title, statement, installation requirements, budget
   2. Optional education program
3. Artist Bio/CV upload
4. Minimum of three images
5. $15 Application fee (free for Taos County Residents - enter coupon code FREETAOS)

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility:

The PASEO Festival call for proposals is open to emerging, mid-career and professional artists, over the age of 18, and from anywhere in the world.