67th Otero Arts Festival Online Registrations Open

The 67th annual Otero Arts Festival invites all students grades 7-12 to participate in a juried visual arts festival, theatrical and music competitions. Entries are free and open to all area students’ grades 7-12.

The online registration is now open for the Visual Arts Senior Portfolios, Music Instrumental Solos and Small Ensemble, Music Vocal Solo contest, and Theatrical Monologues and Group Short Scene competitions at https://otero.edu/OteroArtsFestival.aspx

The Visual Arts Senior Portfolios compete for both Otero College Scholarships, display place ribbons and several other awards. Senior Portfolios must have at least 3 different media, a maximum of 12 works of art, minimum 8. Seniors entering a portfolio must arrange their own exhibit without assistance from friends, parents, or teachers during the hours of 1 – 5 p.m., Friday, March 31. Seniors may request to setup on Thursday March 30, 3 – 5 p.m. via email if they have a school event on Friday to Debbie.Phillips@otero.edu . All senior artists are encouraged to enter. Students do not have to be currently participating in art at their school. Visual Arts Senior Portfolio registration deadline is Friday, March 17, 2023.

The Theatrical competitions will be held on Friday, April 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ed Stafford Theatre, Otero College’s Humanities Center. The purpose of the competition is to provide an opportunity for young thespians to demonstrate his/her acting talent and love for theater. Ribbons will be awarded at level of the competition with an Otero College Scholarship being awarded to the top senior actor (grade 12 graduating high school senior).

Categories include: Monologues – Works performed by one person only. No other actors will be permitted on stage, even if they are silent in the performance. Monologues will be limited to a maximum of 5 minutes. Group Short Scenes – Selections can be from any genre. Group teams must have at least 2 and no more than 6 performers, and a maximum of 8 minutes in duration. Each member of a Group Short Scene must register separately with the same Title of Selection.

Students may register through their school or independently, you do not have to be a current drama student to enter. Theatrical competition online registration deadline is Monday, March 27.

The Music Contests for this year’s festival includes both Instrumental and Vocal competitions. Open to all Middle School students grades 7 & 8 (Junior Division) and High School students grades 9-12 (Senior Division). Students can compete in two Instrumental categories: Solo and Small Ensembles, 3-5 members with performance time between 3 and 8 minutes. Each member of a Small Ensemble must register separately with the same Title of Selection. Vocal Solo competition students will perform a solo between 3-5 minutes in length.

Contestant is responsible for an accompanist if needed, piano will be provided. Pre-recorded track are allowed with proof of purchase and signed release. See website for full details. Participants must provide 3 copies of music and purchase proof for judges. The music contest will be held on Friday, April 7 at 9 a.m. in Ed Stafford Theatre, warm-ups 8 – 8:45 a.m. Music was part of the original festivals until the 1970s. This will be our fifth year to bring back music. The competition provides an opportunity for young musicians to demonstrate their musical talent and love for music. Ribbons will be awarded at each level of the competition with an Otero College Scholarship being awarded to the top music (instrumental and vocal combined) senior (grade 12 graduating high school senior) competitor.

Students may register through their school or independently, you do not have to be a current band or choir student to enter. Music competition online registration deadline is Monday, March 27.

Online Registration for the Visual Arts Senior Portfolios, Theatrical and Music Contests along with forms and detailed information about the 67th Otero Arts Festival are available on the Otero College website at: Otero Arts Festival (otero.edu)

Community members are invited to attend both the Theatrical Competitions and Music Contests in the Ed Stafford Theatre on their respective dates.

Public viewing of the visual art and creative writing show to begin on Tuesday April 4 at 8 a.m. in the Student Center Rizzuto Banquet Room. The exhibit will remain open to the public through April 6 from 8 am to 4 pm and then again at 6 pm to 8 p.m. There is no cost for admission to all Otero Arts Festival events. The public is invited to visit the exhibit and view the outstanding work the students. Parents, teachers, and friends are invited and encouraged to attend the competitions.

For more information contact Debbie Phillips at Debbie.Phillips@otero.edu.