On Wednesday, Gov. Jared Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade announced the 125 art organizations that have received Colorado Creates Grants, including three from Montezuma County.
The winning organizations came from 33 Colorado counties and will receive funding for two years, totaling $1,818,000 total over the course of the funding period.
In Montezuma County, the winning organizations are the Cortez Cultural Center, Inc., Southwest Farm to Yarn Collective and the Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center.
“Colorado’s arts and culture scene are an important part of who we are and a major contributor to our thriving economy. As someone who grew up around artists in my family, I know firsthand the impact art can have. We are thrilled to support the great work Coloradans are doing to support art and culture,” Polis said in the announcement.
The Cortez Cultural Center was listed as an organization “making an important impact in their community.”
“The center’s mission is to provide programs that enrich the lives of community members and visitors by increasing cultural awareness, promoting the arts, and educating about the area's history, diversity and natural environment,” OEDIT said.
Southwest Yarn to Farm Collective is a “grassroots” not for profit organization that serves Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and other areas of the Four Corners as the only yarn shop.
It also offers classes, social knitting and crochet and works with local farms and businesses to create yarn and sell other items.
Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center, which sits on 60 acres in Mancos, has been supporting residencies in the arts since 2012. Through these programs, Willowtail Springs presents lectures, classes, presentations and more which “encourages curiosity and the intensity of learning in the arts and nature.”
According to organizers, a key focus of the Colorado Creates Grant program is providing support and funding to organizations in rural counties. This year, 40% of the receiving organizations are from rural counties, and 24% operate in organizations that have annual operating budgets of less than $100,000 per year.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, rural counties that have organizations dedicated to the arts “have experienced increased population growth and higher household incomes than rural counties without performing arts organizations.”
They added that two out of three rural businesses reported that arts and entertainment are two important facets that help attract and retain workers in their area.
Director of Colorado Creative Industries Josh Blanchard added that arts and “cultural production accounts” contribute to 104,163 jobs in the state.
“This year’s Colorado Creates grant cycle was the most competitive in recent years,” Blanchard said. “We applaud the talented organizations that contribute to Colorado’s vibrant economy, enhancing the quality of life for residents throughout the state.”
Funding amounts are given out based on the chosen organizations’ operating incomes, and the awards are to help provide operating support to the organization.
Though announced today, the chosen organizations were approved to receive the grants on Aug. 1.
