Current Exhibit

The Colorado Creative Industries uses funds appropriated by the Governor and the legislature, combined with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, to invest in communities across the state. Here we share a few stories that highlight the important cultural, educational and economic benefits from this investment of public funds. Click here for our archived stories.

Articipate: The New Art Education

The rapid decline of school administered art programs is a misfortune felt nationwide. However, one organization in Salida County has stepped up to fill this void in the education system. learn more.

Lake City DIRT: A Working Relationship Between Business and Art

Lake City DIRT is an organization committed to making the commercial district of downtown Lake City a vibrant asset to the community. learn more.

Bent County Health Care Center: Bringing Together Their Day Care, Nursing Home, and the Community

The evolution of the Intergenerational Program at the Bent County Health Care Center is a testament to the potential of Small Step Award grantees. learn more.

Art in Public Places: Steel Splat

Steel Splat, a colorful metal sculpture by Doris Laughton-Smith was installed on the Colorado State University in November, 2007. learn more.

Overland Trail Museum: Learning Through Entertainment

“The Overland Trail Museum’s mission is preservation with education,” says Kay Brigham Rich, Curator of the museum, which is located in Sterling, Colorado. “When a group watches a blacksmith or a spinner create a usable good from raw materials, it makes so much more sense to them.” learn more.

Partners of Delta, Montrose, Ouray: Keeping In-Step with Kids through Art

Kids don’t want to be called ‘junior’,” said Gayle Davidson, executive director of Partners of Delta, Montrose and Ouray. “We call them ‘artist interns.” learn more.

PHAMALY: Overcoming Physical Challenges through Live Theater

Regan Linton has a very personal commitment to PHAMALy. “After I sustained a spinal cord injury in 2002,  I doubted that I would ever be the same person again, or be able to do the activities I had always loved, including acting and singing.” learn more.

Peer Assistance Network

Kiowa, Bent, Baca and Crowley Counties are in southeast Colorado, where it's often said that there are “more antelope than people.” But folks there have the same big aspirations as people anywhere. learn more.

Trinity Housing Corporation

The Kaleidoscope Youth Program (KYP) is a six-week, all-volunteer-taught, laugh-a-minute summer program for kids at Island Grove Village Apartments (IGV) and the surrounding community. learn more.

Heart of the Cowboy

Durango exhibit features paintings, poetry. learn more.

Art in Public Places

“Opening Doors” by Christopher Weed, was dedicated in the summer of 2005 at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Fitzsimons, and Education Facility1-A. The Colorado Creative Industries will be managing several art in public projects for the 2007 budget year. learn more.

Colorado’s Regional folklorists

If a month-long gourmet alumni tour to Umbria is out of reach this summer, could we interest you in a one-day bus ride to the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials? learn more.

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts

The simplest way to think of Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA) is as an art academy and exhibition space for middle-school students (almost all of them from nearby West Middle School), with sculpture, painting and computer art on offer. “But this is not a place where you’re going to see easels lined up in a row. learn more.

A Mexican Dance Troupe Brings Togetherness to an American Town

It isn’t easy having a boy who likes to dance. Ruby Jimenez stood up to preconceptions, did the right thing for her son, and along the way made Greeley, Colorado, a powerhouse in Mexican folklorico dance. learn more.

Short Films Go a Long Way in Promoting Aspen

There are hundreds of competitive festivals for feature films around the world, so when the Aspen Filmfest asked how it could distinguish itself, the short answer was -- shorts.
In 1992 Aspen Filmfest gave birth to Aspen Shortsfest, a world-renowned event that brings visibility to a genre that, too often, goes unnoticed. learn more.

Trinidad - The Next Santa Fe?

Commerce used to drive culture in Las Animas County. Now, culture is returning the favor. For the first time since the mining industry started packing up in the 1950s, the arts have a true home in Trinidad. It’s the third floor of the massive A.R. Mitchell Museum, and the Trinidad Area Arts Council is using it as a launching pad for jobs, education and
recreation, says executive director Joe Reorda II. learn more.

In San Luis Valley, Cowboy Culture Comes Alive on Camera

If you own 12 head of cattle and six of them die, you have six head of cattle. Duh, you say? Well, that’s just the sort of thing non-ranchers are liable to get wrong, says Peggy Godfrey, whose jobs include sheep rancher, cattle rancher, cowboy poet/storyteller, and, most recently, consultant to Don’t Fence Me In, a three-year documentary project on
ranching culture in the San Luis Valley. learn more.

Creede Theatre, Preserving History, Paving the Way for the Future

Creede, Colorado. Population 377. With a per capita income 70% less than that of the average Colorado town, and a history steeped in mining and gunslingers, you wouldn't expect to find a world-renowned cultural organization here. learn more.