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Colorado as a Creative Hub
Colorado Companies to Watch
Do you think Colorado is a creative place to live and work? One of the best ways to showcase our state's creativity is to highlight a creative company with a traditional award such as Colorado Companies to Watch. Think about creative companies you know and consider nominating one of your favorites, or your own!
Colorado Companies to Watch recognizes second-stage companies that are developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and creating new industries throughout the state. Second-stage companies fuel the economic fire of Colorado by accounting for much of the economic growth and economic independence of individuals throughout the state. These companies possess attributes such as:
- Growth focused
- Privately-held, headquartered in Colorado
- 6 to 99 full-time equivalent employees
- $750,000 to $50 million in sales or a similar range of working capital
This unique awards program, developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, produces a multitude of benefits for all stakeholders. Participating companies have the opportunity to gain increased visibility in local and state communities as well as to improve stakeholder relationships and contribute to a dynamic business environment. Citizens will have increased access to rewarding income opportunities and be able to build pride in innovative and valuable entrepreneurial companies. The state of Colorado will be able to showcase trend-setting leaders in diverse entrepreneurial fields that strengthen the state's economy. Do you know of a company that's worth watching? Nominate that company. If yours is such a company, apply directly. More information.
Creative Industries Day - Save the Date: March 1
Arts Advocacy Day has a new name this year, along with an expanded agenda. Join us for Creative Industries Day, sponsored by Arts for Colorado, on March 1st from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be speakers from Colorado's creative industries, and you will have the opportunity to learn about advocacy and speak with your legislator. The Governor's Arts Awards will follow the event. More information coming soon.
Design by Colorado Exhibition Application Deadline January 14
Denver Office of Cultural Affairs, Denver International Airport and Colorado Creative Industries are accepting submissions for the Design by Colorado exhibition at DIA, opening September 2011. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, January 14.
The exhibition will feature some of the City and State's leading designers and creative businesses with an emphasis on creative design. From furniture to housewares to fashion, Denver and Colorado boast unique and interesting creative enterprises that foster innovation, support our quality of life and provide jobs for talented and highly skilled workers. This exhibition seeks to highlight Denver and Colorado as a place of creativity, talent and innovation to tourists, business travelers and residents. In addition, the exhibition will focus on celebrating Colorado's strong design community by showcasing the stories behind the designers and their connection to their communities. The exhibition will appear in the Charles Ansbacher Hall (walkway to A Gates).
We are looking for fresh, innovative and modern design in a variety of design fields including, but not limited to, furniture, industrial, graphic, fashion, theater and game or web design. All entries need to be postmarked or hand delivered by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 14. More information.
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Professional Development and Networking
Digital Media "DiMe" Symposium February 18
Legions of filmmakers, media-makers, game developers and entertainment lovers will come together at the 2nd Annual Digital Media ("DiMe") Symposium. DiMe takes place on February 18 from 1-6:30 p.m. at the St. Julien Hotel in Boulder.
DiMe is a dynamic forum to stimulate, inspire and solidify the creative industries in Colorado, and features panels of leaders in the film, media and gaming industries who will discuss potential for Colorado as well as the evolution and application of new technology, and how to engage and collaborate in this profitable arena.
Two panels of digital media visionaries will discuss key issues of the dynamic environment of this burgeoning industry. Confirmed panelists include: Andrew Steele, Funny or Die; Shira Lazar, The Partner Project; Peter Roberts, Starz! Digital; Don Hahn, Disney; Joshua Greer, RealD; Richard Buchanon, Comcast Media Center; David Slayden, Boulder Digital Works; Ann Van Orsdel, The1stMovement; and Kurt Hall, National Cinemedia.
For more information on sponsoring DiMe 2011, visit the website or email marcia.morgan@state.co.us.
Seeking Public Artists for Denver Project
The Art in Public Places Program is seeking public artists for the Colorado Judicial Center located in Denver. A variety of opportunities are available including 2 and 3-dimensional artwork. Apply through CAFE by January 20, 2011. To review the call to artists visit www.coloarts.org
MockSides Ultimate Filmmaker Challenge 
The MockSides Ultimate Filmmaker Challenge is a short-film contest series providing a fun, and interactive experience for Colorado filmmakers, actors and their friends. This contest has a $1000 Grand Prize for Colorado filmmakers. Registered filmmakers (contestants) will have 72 hours in which to make a short film between 6 and 8 minutes in length. The contestants must have their film shot, edited and handed in by the end of the designated time period. Participants must register in person at The MockSides Ultimate Filmmaker Registration & Meet-Up on Friday January 21 from 5 - 10 p.m. at The LOT at RiNo-DS StudioWorks, 3435 Wynkoop St. in Denver. More information.
Colorado Book Awards
Attention Authors, Illustrators, Photographers, Editors & Publishers. The Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book is accepting entries for the 2011, 20th Annual Colorado Bo ok Awards. We invite you to enter your qualified book(s) for a 2011 Colorado Book Award.
To be eligible for a 2011 Colorado Book Award, the primary contributor to the book must be a Colorado writer, editor, illustrator or photographer, and the entry must have a 2010 publication date. Current Colorado residents are eligible, as are individuals e ngaged in ongoing literary work in the state and contributors whose personal history, identity, or literary work reflect a strong Colorado influence. A contributor not currently a Colorado resident who feels his or her work is inspired by or connected to Colorado should submit a letter with his/her entry describing the connection. Final eligibility determinations will be made by the Colorado Book Awards Advisory Committee. www.coloradohumanities.org
Artist Opportunity to Go Abroad with smARTpower
smARTpower sends U.S. artists abroad to collaborate with youth and local artists in the creation of community-based projects in China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India , Kosovo, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Venezuela. Focusing on community engagement that encourages dialogue, experimentation and creativity, this program is designed to stimulate discourse around social issues, including the environment, education, health, girls or women's issues and freedom of expression. In addition to leaving a tangible legacy of their project in the community, artists will conduct workshops, teach master classes, and perform other outreach activities while abroad. Interested artists can apply online. The deadline is February 28, 2011. |
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Financial Support and Incentives
Colorado Creates Grant Application Available
The purpose of Colorado Creates, CCI's largest grant program, is to provide critical financial support that helps nonprofit cultural organizations and communities produce and present arts and cultural activities, bringing jobs to their communities and enhancing the quality of life.
NEW THIS YEAR
- The Deadline for electronic submission of the Colorado Creates Application is during the business day at 4:00 p.m. on March 10, 2011.
- ALL support materials will be uploaded electronically through the Culture Grants Online (CGO) system; no hard copies of application materials will be accepted.
- The customized version of the Colorado Common Grant Application form introduced last year has two added questions in which applicants can address the arti
 stic excellence or merit of the project or the organizational services and explain financial statements. - This is the first year that applicants must "sit out" one year if they have received funding through Grants to Artists and Organizations or Colorado Creates for three consecutive years. You may check your eligibility with CCI staff before you start your application.
Be sure to check out the application tools including step by step video tutorials which will help you upload all of your materials.
Fund Raise Better with the 2011 Colorado Grants Guide
Developed by the Community Resource Center, a nonprofit with 30 years of experience connecting grant-seekers and grant-makers, the Colorado Grants Guide is Colorado's essential online tool for funding research.
The NEWLY researched and revised Colorado Grants Guide is THE premier fundraising tool specifically created for nonprofit and community-based organizations in Colorado. The Online Grants Guide will provide you with:
- Continuously updated funder profiles
- Access via an Internet connection with login ID and password
- An easy-to-use "search screen"
- A quick way to target funders who are interested in your funding needs
- Searches that take minutes rather than hours or days
- Immediate access to a foundation's website (when available)
- Favorite funders tool to quickly return to the funders that best fit your organization
- Notes field that allows you to conveniently record your own comments. Other functional enhancements make this guide even more user-friendly!
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Arts Education and Workforce Development
SCC Collaborative Program Open to Metro Middle Schools
 The Scientific and Cultural Collaborative (SCC) is a non-profit, member partnership serving arts, culture and science organizations across the 7-county Metro-Denver area who are funded by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. The SCC's Alliance Project is a one-year grant providing planning and financial assistance to a team of teachers, including electives, who receive curriculum support from 18 major cultural organizations through field trips, admissions, on-campus workshops, presentations, assemblies and long-term projects.
Teachers request a program related to their content area and the SCC Coordinator works with the team to make them happen! The grant pays for program costs and financially assists for buses, subs, and supplies. Last year, our Alliance Schools received with 25+ programs, bus assistance, substitute teachers, library materials and general support worth $9,500. Deadline for application is April 21, 2011.
Public schools with middle school grades 6, 7, 8 in Adams County, Boulder County, Denver County and Jefferson County. K-8's or K-12's may apply this year. See the website for more information and sample programs. www.sccollaborative.org
National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards
The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards (formerly "Coming Up Taller" awards) are sponsored by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services). The purpose of the grant is to "support arts and humanities programs that open new pathways to learning, self-discovery, and achievement, particularly those programs implemented in underserved communities." Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on underserved communities that have not previously received the award and have been operational for at least five years are eligible to apply.
Grants of $10,000 and the opportunity to visit the White House and accept the award from First Lady Michelle Obama will be given to 12 recipients. For further information contact: http://www.nahyp.org/how-to-apply Application Deadline is January 31, 2011.
Interested in Creative Careers?
Creative Industries' Partners at the Department of Higher Education's CollegeInColorado program host informal bi-monthly networking meetings designed to promote collaborations among creative educators, training programs and employers, both non-profit and for-profit. Over 250 entities are now represented in the group. Meetings are on the 4th Friday of alternating months, and rotate to various creative venues. The next gathering is on Friday January 28, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. at RAFT at 2875 Blake Street in Denver. For information or to be added to the list for updates, contact Gully Stanford at CollegeInColorado: gully.stanford@cic.state.co.us or 720-264-8563.
Poetry Out Loud
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2010 Colorado State Champion, Ben Reily
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There is still time for high school aged students to participate in Poetry Out Loud, a CCI partnership program with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. Poetry Out Loud is a program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. Schools are invited to participate in classroom and school-wide contests, advancing to a state competition on February 28, 2011. The state champion will advance to the National Finals on April 27-29, 2011 in Washington, DC.
The program offers free, standards-based curriculum materials including print and online poetry anthologies, a teacher's guide with sample lesson plans to help instructors teach recitation and performance, a Learning Recitation DVD, and an audio CD featuring well-known actors such as James Earl Jones. There are also opportunities for professional poets to visit classrooms. Deadline for participation if January 31, 2011. More information.
Teacher Resources for Inclusive Arts Education
 VSA Colorado invites teachers working with students in 5th through 10th grade to participate in a unique opportunity that supports inclusive arts integrated education.
Participating classrooms will receive:
- $200 to be used in the classroom for whatever is needed.
- A professional VSA Teaching Artist who will work with students in the classroom, providing up to five hours of instruction, implementation and support of the learning experience
- A free resource kit that includes materials, classroom posters, and website information which addresses national education standards in the visual arts and math or science.
- A culminating show in the VSA Access Gallery featuring student work.
VSA Colorado's mission is to provide inclusive arts programming in public schools, and contribute to arts-integrated teaching and learning in middle schools. VSA Colorado works to promote the creative power in people with disabilities. Established in 1978, VSA Colorado annually serves nearly 10,000 people with disabilities, their families, and those who work with them. To learn more, contact Cris at 303/777-0797 or email at cris@accessgalley.org
Second Annual Colorado Creative Careers Festival
This one-day festival for high school students and teachers is sponsored by the Colorado Community College System and will be held on Friday, February 25, 2011, at the Kenneth King Academic and Performing Arts Center on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend an optional performance at the King Center on Thursday, February 24th.
The festival will feature hands-on workshops taught by working professionals, informational sessions about creative careers, and an interactive critique of submitted projects. In addition, teachers, administrators, and counselors will receive professional development to help them assist students in exploring creative careers.
The hands-on workshops presented at the festival include: Set Design/Stagecraft, Lighting Technology, Costume Design, Sound Technology/Audio Production, Film/Video Production, Graphic Design, Web Design, Computer Animation, and Photography. More information and registration.
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Creative Communities
Gunnison Arts Center Thinks In New Ways to Survive
 The Gunnison Arts Center is taking some big new steps towards sustainability. As with so many nonprofits, the year 2009 looked bad - very bad. The "old way" of doing business was simply no longer viable. GAC knew that if it didn't start thinking in new ways, it wouldn't be there in five years. Among the steps it has taken in the last two years are:
- Collaboration with the Crested Butte Center for the Arts, 30 miles away. It has been a classic "up valley/down valley" split. Not a rivalry - it was just that the constituents of one center didn't have much to do with the other center...and the Centers have different missions, so they weren't competing for the same audiences. A new membership structure now means that any member of GAC at the $250+ level automatically gets a 20% discount to any event at the Crested Butte Center, which sponsors nationally-known performers. So that the GAC member can avoid driving home on slippery, snowy deer-y roads, they get a very deep discount to a Crested Butte motel, as well as a free glass of wine before the show if they go to dinner at a certain restaurant. Similarly, any donor at a certain level to the Crested Butte center gets a 25% discount for their family to take classes at the GAC, as well as a discounted motel room and free glass of wine with dinner at a restaurant in Gunnison.
- The G
 AC's bank showed the GAC how to be an "ACH" provider, meaning that it's possible for people who would like to give money automatically each month - no matter where they bank - to do so. This has increased donation level. - Gunnison County participated in the Americans for the Arts' economic impact study in 2005, and will do so again. The information was invaluable in demonstrating to local elected officials how the GAC makes a big difference - serving locals and visitors, and returning a demonstrable amount of money to the tax base of the County.
- The GAC spent a year designing and adopting a comprehensive policy manual, so that things are done in a systematic way, and information on "how things are done" can pass from board to board, staff to staff, without wasting time reinventing the wheel. The policy manual is considered impressive by prospective funders.
- GAC applied for, and
 received "Enterprise Zone Project" status. This means that cash donors to GAC get a 25% tax credit on their Colorado tax for their donations, and in-kind donors get a 12.5% tax credit. This only happened in November but GAC is confident that it will see the number and size of donations increase. - GAC is working to diversify its participants from the "usual subjects." One approach: each board member was asked to consider what they love to do, and see whether they could turn it into a fundraiser. As a result, fundraising hula-hoopathons, hockey games, a New Year's Eve country dance, and historic home tours have raised considerable money and attracted new people to the GAC's events.
- Finally, inspired by the Rotary, GAC adopted a "four way test" - four evaluation questions that the board and staff ask themselves before they decide to proceed with a new idea. This helps GAC be more systematic in its thinking.
- GAC is shifting its self-image from being an arts center, to a place that serves the community through the arts. This is a dramatically different way of thinking.
It's too early to tell what the long-term impact of all of these approaches will be but - GAC is out of debt and is approaching its long-term future in new ways, with new ideas. http://www.gunnisonartscenter.org
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