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History

In 1982, a group of citizens formed the Glenwood Springs Arts Council (GSAC) with the aim of developing the human, artistic and cultural potential of Glenwood Springs. Initial funding was provided by Mobile Oil Corporation and a community fundraiser. Ten major events were then spawned: Strawberry Days Arts & Crafts Fair, Summer of Jazz Concerts, Aspen Ballet Matinee Sponsor, Serendipity Children's Art Festival, School/Community Residency Programs, Co-Sponsorships of CMC Script Writing Conests, a beer-tasting fundraiser, and several library programs.

The Arts Council received 501(c)(3) non-profit and tax exempt status in 1985. In 1988, a progressive board expanded from five members to ten, and committees were formed to comprehensively grow the organization. A 102-year old abandoned electric warehouse was leased from the City of Glenwood Springs for $10 per year, and plans for the Carriage House Cultural Center began to take shape. The name was changed to the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts shortly thereafter.

The Arts Council was awarded the Colorado Rural Arts Initiative Grant which enabled the organization to hire a part time executive director. It also gave them the momentum to complete the fundraising efforts to renovate the building. Classes, activities, and events commenced for the first time in the building in the summer of 1989. By 1990, classes and activities were in full swing with 500 students participating in 3 sessions. In 2001, the Colorado Historical Society awarded a renovation grant to the Arts Council and the City of Glenwood Springs, enabling further renovations to the building. The GSAC launched a capital campaign to raise additional funds to renovate the historical part of the building and west end, which the historical grant did not cover. The final phase of renovation was completed in 2006. To date, there are only a few things needing to be updated:

• An improved lighting system
• A modernized sound system
• An oven for the kitchen
• Refitting the west studio for an art/music room
• A cooling system for the exhibits
• Landscaping for the backyard area

Today, the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts presents year-round programming, with an average of 65 to 75 classes, in the arts, per session. There are 3 sessions per year, with 250 to 350 students and 8 to 12 instructors participating at any given time. Nearly 90% of the students who take classes are under the age of 12. However, there are a number of adults who are involved in classes like modern dance, ballroom dancing, belly dancing, pottery, oil painting and silversmithing. Most classes are offered for all ages and levels including dance, fine arts, crafts, pottery, silversmithing, piano, guitar, percussion, voice, and theater.

The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts annually installs an average of eight to ten art exhibits in the exhibits. The Arts Center also installs exhibits at US Bank, Valley View Hospital and the Glenwood Springs Community Center. Nearly 2,000 visitors stop in every year for the exhibits and the Art Shop. exhibits and administrative office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The exhibits is open from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on weekends.

Our special events include:

• Dancers Dancing
• Cabaret Night
• Culinary Arts Festival
• Artist Receptions (for every exhibition)
• 4 to 6 concerts per year
• Several recitals per year
• A booth at Strawberry Days
• Dance students perform at various community events

The Arts Center has collaborated with the University of Colorado Outreach Program to reach local Latino populations; offered free dance classes for Youth Zone; given free pottery and dance classes to students from Mountain Valley Development and the Family Resource Center. Ideas for new partnerships and collaborations are always welcome! Please call 970.945.2414 to discuss the possibilities.