Governor John Hickenlooper today joined Colorado artists and economic developers to announce the first state-driven initiative in the U.S. for affordable housing for artists: Space to Create, Colorado. The new program will develop affordable housing and work space for artists and arts organizations, as well as position Colorado as the nation’s leader in artist-led community transformation in rural creative placemaking. The effort is led by the Colorado Office of Economic Development’s Colorado Creative Industries, DOLA, History Colorado, Boettcher Foundation and Artspace.
“Housing and economic development are vital needs in rural Colorado, and the Space to Create initiative advances both of these issues by harnessing the power of the public, private and philanthropic sectors, as well as the creative community, to activate historic spaces and elevate rural economies,” said Gov. Hickenlooper.
Space to Create, Colorado will advance mixed-use projects that blend affordable live/work space for artists and their families with non-residential space for creative enterprises and organizations that serve a critical community need. A total of nine projects will be launched in eight regions in Colorado’s rural, small town and mountain communities over the next eight years. Each project will be customized to meet community needs for workforce housing and commercial space for artists and creative entrepreneurs. The first demonstration project will launch this year in Trinidad. After that, regions of the state will be prioritized based on readiness, public will, commitment of local resources and housing demands.
“The Space to Create initiative will unite affordable housing with creative workspaces and community-use facilities to create an important catalyst for economic development in Colorado’s rural communities,” said Boettcher Foundation president Tim Schultz.
Artspace, America’s leader in artist-led community transformation, will act as lead consultant with Colorado Creative Industries.
“Artspace has an incredible track record for successful community-driven projects across the United States, and we are excited to partner with them on Space to Create, Colorado,” said Colorado Creative Industries director Margaret Hunt.
“Artspace is honored to be involved in this first-of-its-kind creative workforce and economic development initiative in the U.S.,” said president of Artspace Kelley Lindquist. “We’re excited to be working with the visionary leaders of the State of Colorado and the philanthropic community on Space to Create.”
Today’s announcement was held at Artspace Loveland, which has 30 occupied units of housing for artists and their families. Artspace Loveland has a waiting list of over 100 individuals waiting for vacant units.
For more information, please visit www.coloradocreativeindustries.org.
About Colorado Creative Industries
Colorado Creative Industries is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to enhance economic growth in Colorado, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado’s economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life. www.coloradocreativeindustries.org
About Artspace
Artspace is the nation’s leader in artist-led community transformation, with more than 35 projects in operation across the country and another dozen in development, representing a unique, $600 million investment in America’s arts infrastructure. With headquarters in Minneapolis and offices in Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Washington D.C., Artspace is America’s leading developer of arts facilities and has served as a consultant to hundreds of communities and arts organizations nationwide. To date Artspace has completed nearly 2,000 affordable live/work units for artists and their families as well as more than a million square feet of non-residential space for artists and arts organizations. www.artspace.org.