Taos is Art Banner Project

“Taos is Art” banner project background and history

The purpose of the “Taos is Art” banner project is  to highlight Taos as an arts destination; celebrate and support the rich diversity of our community and the abundant creativity of our artists; give visibility to those who may not normally receive representation; and delineate and beautify the downtown Taos  Historic District.

This popular Taos project began as a creative project between then Town of Taos Marketing Director and graphic designer Gina Azzari in the summer of 2018. It was immediately well received and each year since, the Taos Arts Council has coordinated with the Town of Taos Marketing Department and Town Facilities to repeat the event, based on the original banner layout and design, and placement around Taos.  The banner project has proven to be very popular with the local artists and photographers who participate, as well as visitors and residents alike. 

In the summer of 2023, The Arts Council and Town of Taos agreed to expand the banner project to include a “Fall/Winter Series” in addition to the ongoing “Spring/Summer Series” The Spring/Summer series hangs from approximately April 1st to September 30th, and the Fall/Winter series hangs from October 1st to March 31st.  The typical number of banners hung around Taos is 66 banners, 41 large (30″ x 60″) and 25 small banners (18″ x 30″). In a few past years, there have also been small banners put on the Town plaza square to enhance the banners on the streets and historic district downtown. 

Each banner represents a local Taos artist, selected from a Call for Entry application pool. The selection is made by a rotating “blind jury”, meaning the jurors change each cycle and are not informed of who the applicant is.  While not perfect, this helps to make the selection process more impartial, and based as much as possible on the juror’s opinion regarding aesthetics and suitability for converting the image into a banner.  Typically for each series, there are more than 150 artists’ submissions from which the jurors must choose – no easy task!

Representative Artist Profiles

A selection of artists that have participated in the “Taos is Art” banner project representing our desire for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Spring/Summer 2024 Banners

The Town of Taos Marketing Department and the Taos Arts Council  once again selected Taos County artists’ work for the Spring/Summer  lamppost banner campaign. The current series of banners were installed in April and will be on view through early fall.  It is our goal to feature a diverse and inclusive set of artists currently living and working within Taos County.  Annually since its beginning, the banners have added vitality to the streetscape in Taos and are enjoyed by visitors and residents.

Information on applying for the Fall/Winter 2024 banner series

In late summer, the Town of Taos and the Taos Arts Council will seek Taos County artists’ work for a lamppost banner campaign that will be on view within the Town of Taos from approximately October 2024 through end of winter 2025 (exact dates determined in conjunction with the Town of Taos).As always, itt is our goal to feature a diverse and inclusive set of artists currently living and working within Taos County, while welcoming visitors to Taos and the historic district.

The Call for Artists’ requires that you submit only one image that represents and depicts the natural beauty, outdoor activities and arts happenings during the Fall/Winter months here in Taos. This banner series, unlike the Spring?Summer series has a very specific theme.  Only entries that appropriately reflect the theme of “Winter in Taos” will be considered by the jury.  Details on when and how to apply will be sent via email and on our website.  Please sign up for the Arts Council newsletter to be sure to receive the latest update: https://www.taosartscouncil.org

Who is the Taos Art Council?

The Taos Arts Council (TAC) is proud to promote our region’s most creative assets — its artists and artisans of all  disciplines — as well as its many supporting organizations and  venues for performance and exhibitions. The TAC also serves as a common conduit for the numerous independent art voices in the area, and is committed to sustaining an active, vibrant, and vital environment for the arts to flourish.

Established in 2012, the Taos Arts Council is a non-profit organization advocating to further creative expression and appreciation throughout Taos County and Northern New Mexico.  Its primary mission is to enhance the quality of life in our communities.  To learn more about all we do to support the arts in Taos County, please visit our website at https://www.taosartscouncil.org or call 575.224.2720.