Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area was Congressionally delegated in 2006 to serve Rio Arriba, Taos, and Santa Fe counties by preserving, promoting, and protecting the cultures and traditions that the area values. Cultures and Creators was established in 2023 to highlight the importance of arts in our three counties and to bring opportunity to communities in more rural areas. 

Application Requirements

Artist Requirements for the Show:

We invite artists residing within the vibrant cultural landscape of Taos, Rio Arriba, or Santa Fe County to showcase their original artwork in our upcoming exhibition, Cultures and Creators: Our Ancestors. Our Future. This call is a celebration of the rich artistic heritage and contemporary creativity that thrives within our region.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Artists must be residents of Taos, Rio Arriba, or Santa Fe County to participate.
• Only original artwork created solely by the submitting artist will be considered for inclusion.

Submission Guidelines:

• Each artist may submit up to three pieces of artwork for consideration.
• Submissions must be made digitally through our designated submission platform.
• Please ensure that each artwork is accompanied by a title, dimensions, medium, and a brief artist statement reflecting your creative process and inspiration (max. 150 words).

Artwork Specifications:

• We welcome artwork in any medium, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, digital art, and mixed media.
• The submitted artwork should reflect the unique perspective, culture, and spirit of our region.

Jury Process:

• A panel of esteemed jurors, with a deep appreciation for the local arts scene, will carefully review all submissions.
• Selections will be based on originality, artistic merit, technical skill, and relevance to the cultural landscape of Taos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe County.

Notification of Acceptance:

• Artists whose work is selected for the exhibition will be notified via email by the designated date.
• Please be prepared to provide high-resolution images of your artwork for promotional purposes upon acceptance.

Delivery and Return of Artwork:

• Accepted artworks must be securely packed and delivered ready for installation.
• Artists are responsible for both the delivery and pickup of their artwork to and from the exhibition venue.

Sales and Commission:

• Artworks will be available for sale during the exhibition, a commission percentage may be retained by the exhibition organizers to support future artistic endeavors in our community.

Agreement to Terms:

• Submission to this call for entry constitutes acceptance of all the artist requirements and terms outlined above.

We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to showcase the diverse talent and creative vision of artists within Taos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe County. Your participation will contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our local arts community.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria:

We welcome artists residing in the culturally rich and diverse communities of Taos, Rio Arriba, or Santa Fe County to participate in this exhibition. As Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area aims to celebrate and amplify the artistic voices within our region, please review the following eligibility criteria before submitting your artwork:

Residency Requirement:

• Artists must currently reside within the geographical boundaries of Taos, Rio Arriba, or Santa Fe County to be eligible for participation.
• Proof of residency, such as a valid driver's license or utility bill, may be requested during the submission process.

Artwork Origin:

• Only original artwork created by the submitting artist will be considered for inclusion in the exhibition.
• Artwork produced collaboratively or by multiple artists will not be accepted unless all contributors meet the residency requirement.

Jurisdiction Verification:

• The exhibition organizers reserve the right to verify the residency status of participating artists through official documentation or other means as necessary.
• Artists found to be ineligible due to residency requirements will be disqualified from consideration.

Agreement to Terms:

• By submitting artwork for consideration, artists acknowledge and agree to abide by all eligibility criteria and terms outlined above.
• We thank you for your interest in contributing to our celebration of artistic talent within Taos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe County, and look forward to receiving your submissions.

Should you have any questions or require clarification regarding the eligibility criteria, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive artistic community that reflects the vibrant cultural heritage of our region.