DAAC is committed to providing free programs at the Rio Grande Theatre for the residents of Doña Ana County. The Rio Grande was envisioned as a community gathering place in downtown Las Cruces for the promotion of the visual, literary and performing arts.
RGT Galleries (call for artists and guidelines for acceptance)
Call For Submissions!
The El Paso Electric Gallery & Carolene de Mesilla Information Center & Gallery
Located in the Rio Grande Theatre are now accepting proposals by artists wishing to exhibit their work during the coming year.
Eligibility:
Artists living and working in New Mexico and El Paso, TX (within a 20 mile radius of El Paso) are eligible to submit to show in these two galleries. Artists must exhibit during the period of June 2008 to June 2009 on dates assigned by the Doña Ana Arts Council. Exhibits will run approximately four weeks. Proposed exhibits should suit the scale/size of the galleries – approximately 45 linear feet in each room. Please note, the rooms have only adobe walls – paintings, prints, etc. must be able to be hung from a chain & hook system. Artists are required to exhibit works similar in nature to what is presented in the proposal packet. Group proposals are encouraged.
Proposal Package Must Include:
A brief (1-2 paragraph) statement on the proposed exhibit, including the media of works to be exhibited, theme or general content of the show, and proposed use of the space if applicable. Please detail any installation that may be required. Indicate whether you are applying for one of the two gallery spaces or to use both concurrently.
A CD-R containing 10-20 images (jpg or tiff format, minimum resolution 300 dpi) of the works intended for exhibition. The 300dpi resolution is required for promotional printing. Images at this resolution, however, can be sized at a small dimension (10 inches max in height and width) so that they may be opened or downloaded quickly. Please contact the DAAC office if you are unable to provide digital images.
A single page of thumbnail images which are the same images as submitted on disk. Low resolution jpegs on office paper are suitable.
Please note that the works placed on exhibit may be for sale with the following commission rate: 20% and 20 hours of volunteer time during the exhibit or a straight 25% commission to DAAC on all sales. Commission rate are to be determined by DAAC and the artist prior to the exhibit.
Submit Packages To:
Doña Ana Arts Council
ATTN: Gallery Submissions
P.O. Box 1721
Las Cruces, NM 88004
or deliver to the DAAC Offices in the Rio Grande Theatre
211 N. Downtown Mall
Las Cruces, NM
Submission to the Rio Grande Theatre Galleries will be construed as acceptance of all terms and conditions listed above. A contract with additional terms will be required of all exhibitors upon acceptance. While every effort will be made to ensure a secure environment for the exhibits, please know that there will be times when the art work is not directly monitored. All artists exhibit at their own risk.
Each exhibit will have an opening reception hosted by DAAC in conjunction with the Downtown Ramble on the first Friday evening of each month. The artist(s) exhibiting that month will be asked to attend.
A jury will select all works to be displayed in the Rio Grande Theatre galleries. Please call DAAC at 523-6403 for more information.
Hours
The Carolene de Mesilla Information and Gallery and the El Paso Electric Gallery are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9 am – 12 noon. Would you like to volunteer? (link to volunteer section)
Magic Carpet Storytime
Magic Carpet StoryTime is held in the Rio Grande Theatre Lobby Saturday morning at 11:30 am. Each participant has their own section of “magic carpet” (provided by local architects) on which to sit during their storytelling journey. Sometimes the storytellers or readers are local “celebrities” and participants receive coupons for free or discounted books at local bookstores. They also receive information about using the local library.
Free Tuesdays
“Every Other Tuesday” is a program presented by DAAC that not only presents free entertainment for local audiences but gives performing groups the opportunity to promote themselves and upcoming shows at other venues. Time is 5:30 to 6:30 pm on the Rio Grande Theatre stage and a wide variety of entertainments are offered – music, dance, theatre, and film. Interested in performing? (link to program coordinator or application)
Mini-grants
Deserving arts organizations with very limited budgets can apply for a “mini” grant that covers the cost of renting the Rio Grande Theatre and basic technical and custodial fees. Organizations must be able to show financial need. Only four grants per fiscal year are awarded. Want to apply? (link to application)
For use of the Rio Grande Theatre contact
Dave Edwards
Theatre Manager
(575)523-6403