National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM) is a coast-to-coast collective recognition of the importance of culture in America. It is designed to encourage all Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts. See the White House Proclaimation for National Arts and Humanities Month 2014!

Want to join in the celebration? You can find a 2014 National Arts & Humanities Month event in your local area, or you can create an event and invite others to attend. Learn more.

SAVE THE DATE

Joe Hutchison reflects on laureateship

 

My first reaction to being named Poet Laureate of Colorado was speechlessness. The honor was overwhelming on a personal level, of course, but more so was the idea that I would have the opportunity to do something to advance the awareness and appreciation of poetry.

 

When I was coming up through Denver Public Schools, I was lucky to have great teachers who drove home the truth that poetry contains the best, deepest "critical thinking" we have about the human experience on this planet. The fact is that poetry illuminates history, politics, science, religion, psychology, philosophy, ethics and more. I hope to serve as the proverbial "ambassador" for poetry, but with the full scope of poetry in mind, I also hope to help teachers across the state integrate poetry into their classrooms, no matter what they're teaching.

 

Toward that end, I aim to help in the creation of an online repository of work by Colorado poets that teachers can access and easily search to find poems that speak to the particular subject they teach. Poetry, that is, viewed not just from a formal literary point of view-this is a sonnet, this is blank verse, etc.-but as a kind of concentrated insight into the full range of human concerns. Imagine how much more vivid the study of biology might be, for example, if students could read some of Pattiann Rogers' fine poems on creatures ranging from one-celled Archaeans to the humble Hermit Crab. Imagine how the fierce and often funny gold rush poems of Robert Cooperman could enliven the study of Colorado history.

 

It seems to me that poetry puts in touch with our essential humanity. It can help us be more than human: it can help us become humane. And isn't that the profoundest goal of education?

We're delighted to announce that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud! The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation partner with Colorado Creative Industries to sponsor POL: a national poetry memorization and recitation competition. High school students gain important speaking and listening skills, acquire an appreciation for aesthetics, and learn about the value of creative expression. Rachael Deagman, our new State Coordinator, brings to the position a deep love of poetry and drama and looks forward to discovering the places we'll go. Learn more. 

These have been exciting times in Ridgway, CO, especially for a town of 925 people!  Governor Hickenlooper stopped in for lunch on August 30 during a rural economic development tour and visited four creative enterprises:  Bennett Forgeworks (custom ironwork and brewing equipment), Billings Artworks (makers of the Grammy award), Kiitella (unique custom awards), and TheraTogs (manufacturer of orthotic garment systems).  A couple of weeks later, the Boettcher Foundation brought its trustees and spouses for a board retreat and toured Bluecorn Naturals (pure beeswax candles), Firehouse Sculpture and Lucy Boody Art (bronze sculpture, fiber sculpting, motorcycle accessories), and some of the previously mentioned enterprises. Finally, Ridgway hosted a group of creative placemaking stakeholders from across the country, including Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of Artplace America.

 

Friday, October 10, will be the Ridgway MoonWalk, an opening reception for a regional art exhibit, with 23 Western Slope artists from 8 different communities showing 39 new works!  Friday, November 7, the historic Sherbino Theater hosts the MoonWalk and Independent Film Fest. Learn more!

November deadline approaching

COLORADO ON TAP: THE STATE OF BREW CULTURE 

Presented by DIA, Colorado Creative Industries and the Colorado Brewer's Guild

The exhibit Colorado on Tap: The State of Brew Culture will be on display at the pre-security area near the A gates at the Denver International Airport through December. It's a collaboration between DIA,

COLORADO ART TANK

New grant program for arts-based ventures

The annual Colorado Governor's Tourism Conference offers an ideal environment for tourism experts and industry leaders to explore avenues to build upon past successes and discuss future directions. The conference will be held Oct. 29-31 at The Westin in Broomfield. Learn more.

 

Heritage and Agritourism

In November the Heritage and Agritourism program we will be holding the second series of regional meetings at a farm near you! By filling out the survey you are able to weigh in on the kinds of assistance at the state level that would be most helpful. Take the survey! 

ARTPLACE ACCEPTING GRANTS

 

Fifth round of national grants program open

ArtPlace National Grants Program Informational Video

 

Are you struggling with your creative business?  Marketing, sales, accounting, pricing, merchandising?  CREATE MSU Denver provides"Customized Virtual Business Advising to Creatives" to help them move their business forward.

  

The Adopt the Creative program was born through generous donors who see the value in creatives who can be self-sustaining.  We are granting four (4) fellowships in the amount of $450 each to become CREATE clients (a program savings of 50%). The qualified adoptee will be responsible for the remaining costs of the program. To qualify, you need to be a creative entrepreneur in the arts (fine art, sculpture, photography, jewelry, etc.), music and/or fashion industries.  Adoptees will receive one year or 12 meetings of mentorship with an expert in their field. Meetings are conducted one-on-one virtually between the advisor and the client. Learn more and apply.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS & CREATIVE BUSINESSES

River North Affordable & Creative Live/Work Space Visioning Session 

 

Calling all artists and creative businesses to bring your energy, enthusiasm and ideas for this one-time visioning session as we continue to explore the potential to create new affordable live/work spaces in North Denver. What would it look like? Where would it be? What amenities would help you live, work and create?

Wednesday, October 22nd from 3-5:30pm
Taxi's Drive 2 Building, 3461 Ringsby Court, Denver
Reception to follow

 

Space is limited, be sure to RSVP to lisa.gedgaudas@denvergov.org if you plan to attend. 

Congratulations to the Colorado finalists!

TOP 50 MOST POWERFUL & INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN THE NONPROFIT ARTS 

Expo and tour