FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2011

ARTSPACE SEES CREATIVE Possibilities for Pueblo

PUEBLO‐ The feasibility report from Artspace consultants that visited Pueblo in February has been completed and indicates that, indeed, Pueblo has the potential and collective community support to proceed with a mixed-use arts facility project.  National arts consultant, Roy Close states in the recent report, “Pueblo impresses us as a viable candidate for a mixed-use project that includes affordable live/work space for individual artists and their families, a rehearsal/performance facility, and space for arts organizations as well as for creative businesses.”  The funding for the first planning phase of the multi-use arts facility was awarded to the Pueblo Performing Arts Guild (PPAG) by the National Endowment for the Arts with matching funds from the Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo and Legacy Bank.

A priority for the project is to identify the correct mix of activities to complement artistic, civic, and organizational needs for sustainability with a corresponding goal of achieving an anchor for an arts district.  Therefore, an added portion of the first phase was to study existing creative industry multi-use facilities in Colorado. The study team includes: Susan Fries, PPAG Executive Director, Deborah Espinosa, John Carleo, Scott Whited, and Heather Thompson (all of whom are ; PPAG Board Members), John Batey, Director Urban Renewal Authority of Pueblo, and Wade Broadhead, Pueblo City Planner. The study group visited sites in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Westminster, Denver, and Fort Collins.  At these locations, the study group examined multi-use arts facilities including: the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Business of Arts Center, South Westminster Arts Group (SWAG), 621 Battery, TAXI Project, Lincoln Center Theatre, Beat Street, ARTLab Fort Collins, and Poudre River Art Center.

With the first phase of feasibility complete, the study team will continue on the advice of the Artspace consultants to commission an Arts Market Survey of Pueblo to establish demand needs for the proposed multi-use space in Pueblo.  The consulting firm of ArtsMarket, from Bozeman, Montana, will conduct the survey for PPAG.  Louise Stevens, Lead Consultant and President of ArtsMarket, has 29 years of experience with similar projects across the country.  ArtsMarket  is the only arts/culture related research and consulting firm to be awarded “best research” honors (2003, 2005) by the International Economic Development Council, ArtsMarket is trusted by economic developers, municipal planners, real estate developers and financial institutions for the quality and depth of their analysis.

Link to Pueblo Artspace Feasibility Report

Link to ArtsMarket

 

The Pueblo Performing Arts Guild promotes the production, enjoyment, and collaboration of the arts for

the purposes of economic development and an enriched quality of life in Pueblo.

‐Pueblo Performing Arts Guild-

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