Cultural Events Fund

Supporting Cultural Events in Taos – For Locals and Visitors Alike

Taos MainStreet is excited to launch the Cultural Events Fund as part of our ongoing Destination Stewardship efforts in Taos! This pilot program provides financial and technical support for cultural events that invite both locals and visitors to engage in the rich cultural traditions of Northern New Mexico. The Fund welcomes applications from legacy events ready to be revived or strengthened as well as new ideas for cultural events that celebrate our communities.

Application Process

Applications reviewed by an independent committee using a scoring matrix.

Application deadline December 21st

Awards announced End of 2025

Funds distributed in January 2026

Program Goals

Pilot Program Goals: Born from community voices, the Cultural Events Fund reinvests tourism dollars to celebrate what makes Taos extraordinary: its people, stories, and living traditions. The program uplifts local organizers and creative visionaries who bring culture to life in our shared spaces, inspiring connection, pride, and a sense of belonging for both locals and visitors alike.

Funding & Eligibility

- Celebrates, preserves, or showcases traditions, beliefs, arts, history, and customs of a specific community.
- Fosters understanding, appreciation, and pride in shared cultural heritage.
- Encourages cultural exchange between diverse audiences.
Individuals, nonprofits, businesses, or informal community groups. Applicants do not need to be a nonprofit, but must demonstrate capacity to manage the event responsibly.
- Take place in Taos County
- Occur between December 2025 and May 2026
- Be open to public participation (not private or members-only)
- Celebrate or showcase Taos traditions, arts, history, or customs
- Align with the Taos Destination Stewardship Plan goals, values and principles
- Serve or benefit the Taos community while also welcoming visitors
- Event-related expenses (coordinators, materials, venue, marketing, etc.)
- Award Range: $1,500-$5,000, although more or less will be considered based on demonstrated need and impact.

POST-EVENT REPORTING

Recipients will be required to submit a short report including:

Attendance data (estimates and visitor origins if possible)
A summary of how funds were used
Photos, stories, or other materials that capture the event’s impact

WHY IT MATTERS

The Cultural Events Fund and workshop will strengthen Taos’s cultural landscape by supporting organizers at every stage of event planning, ensuring cultural integrity through stewardship values, expanding access for community members and visitors, and building capacity for sustainable, meaningful cultural events.