Community of Practice
The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region strives to connect Arts Educators of all levels and disciplines. We are strategizing the best methods to build a community of practice amongst Arts Educators in the Pikes Peak Region.
Upcoming Convenings
Arts Together Workshops Season Kick-off! FREE
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
5:30-8:30pm
Presented by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region at the Ent Center for the Arts
Tour of GOCA “We Are the Sky” exhibit, dinner reception and The Butterfly Effect performance
Calling all Arts Educators in schools and in the community! Let us celebrate you through this kick-off event for the 2024-2025 season of Arts Together Workshops. We will start the evening off with a private tour of the ENT Center’s Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA) by Joy Armstrong, the Director and Curator of GOCA. Then enjoy a dinner reception with special announcements including the Arts Together Workshop season, professional development and other resources available to you. We will finish off our drinks and at 7:00 watch the performance of The Butterfly Effect, a piece that combines music composition, physics, storytelling, poetry, dance, and painting, in the Chapman Foundation recital Hall, created by Karen Mosbacher and featuring Ormao Dance performers.
What are Arts Together Workshops? For arts educators of all kids, Arts Together Workshops are field trips to various arts organizations in the community. They are intended for you to enjoy exploring the work other arts organizations are doing, engage in the art form itself and learn how they can be a resource for you and your students. All FREE! The full season will be announced on September 12th.
*Please RSVP through Eventbrite link provided and not through the ENT Center*
Photo credit Lynne Bowman Cravens
Past Convenings
Arts Together! Workshop - FREE
April 29th, 2024
5-7pm
Presented by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region at Concrete Coyote, Colorado Springs, CO
Put a spring in your step with a walking tour of Concrete’s Couch‘s 7-acre adventure park, Concrete Coyote. Concrete Couch’s mission is to work with kids and community groups to create public art, build community, and create environments and experiences that humanize our world. We will learn about the amazing work they are doing in our community and how you can get involved in their programming. Then we will take part in a collaborative art-making piece together that will either be used on the land or for their outreach programs.
Speed-Networking
March 18th, 2024
5-7pm
Presented by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region at the Ivywild School, Colorado Springs, CO
This lively event will be blooming with thoughtful conversation through a “speed dating” format. Meet arts educators from around the region. Come prepared to talk about what you do (or would like to do) in the communities you serve. Connect with peers who have similar goals to yours, find a collaborative partner, and experience the breadth of the arts education work in our community.
Speed-networking will start at 5:30PM, followed by resource-sharing, mixing, and refreshments! Registration is $5, which includes a drink token and delicious snacks from Lazo Empanadas. Space is limited, so registration is required!
Arts Educator Meetup
September 25th, 2023
5-7pm
Presented by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region at Millibo Art Theatre, Colorado Springs, CO
Are you an arts educator in the Pikes Peak region? Join COPPeR in fostering networking between arts educators across districts, grade levels, and disciplines at our Arts Educators Meetup on the Millibo’s beautiful garden patio! Whether you work in the community or are school-affiliated, we want to connect with you. Please join us in connecting arts educators across the Pikes Peak region and building a sustainable community of practice.
Cash bar, light refreshments, and live music!
Arts Educators Contact List
We are working diligently to connect arts educators of all disciples to each other and the greater Pikes Peak Region.
Whether you are looking for arts educators who are school affiliated or have a community practice, this contact list serves as a valuable resource to make those connections.
The contact list is working document and ever-evolving. If you are an Arts Educator in El Paso or Teller county and would like to be added, please sign up using the form below.
If you would like to be added to the Arts Educators Contact List, please complete this form.
You will also receive up-to-date information regarding the arts education network including e-mails about meet-ups, resources and more!
GROW KIT
This Grow Kit includes up-to-date resources to help you flourish in your arts education field.
Funding Resources
https://oedit.colorado.gov/arts-in-society-grant
Deadlines: July 1-September 1
The Arts in Society Grant funds projects that help arts organizations and artists find solutions to civic and social challenges facing Colorado communities. You can apply for $5,000 to $35,000. The grant provides both financial and organizational support.
https://www.beevradenburgfoundation.org/
Deadlines: January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, October 15th
We aim to advance the relevance, resilience, and greatness of the arts in the Pikes Peak Region, and you are a critical part of that mission. Per the Foundation’s Grant Applicant FAQ, BVF does not accept funding proposals from schools, but will accept funding proposals from 501c3 arts organizations working with schools or K-12 students.
Deadline: On-going
Founded in 1965 by the Kay family, the Donnell-Kay Foundation (DK Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit foundation based in downtown Denver. We are committed to prioritizing low-income and historically marginalized children and families in our work. Our focus is broad and includes efforts to increase the opportunities for children and youth to learn, thrive, and be healthy in their community. Our current work focuses on early childhood policies, healthy food access, and affordable housing, in addition to a variety of exploratory ideas and projects. We invite collaborative conversations and partnerships that drive impactful changes and foster enriched educational environments across Colorado
https://www.elpomar.org/grant-making/
Deadline: On-going
We have a broad, general grant making scope with greatest emphasis on arts & culture, civic/community initiatives, education, health, and human services – which started with our founders. Our Trustees look to support organizations and initiatives that demonstrate (among other considerations) not only that they’re making a positive and significant difference in peoples’ lives and/or solving issues important to their communities, but also that they have solid plans to activate the mission, program, or project for which they’re seeking funding; financial sustainability; and strong community support and organizational leadership.
El Pomar also manages a handful of specialized funds including the Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund which focuses on suppoorting nonprofit organizations serving the Pikes Peak region, with a specific focus on organizations working in arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, health, and human services.
https://think360arts.org/grant-opportunities/
Deadlines: February 2025 for the following year
Equity in Arts Learning for Colorado Youth (EAL) seeks to increase access to arts education for historically marginalized youth. Grants of $10,000-$25,000 are available to support projects that bring professional artists and culture bearers into educational settings to lead programming with youth ages 4-21. Projects supported by EAL will exemplify the value of arts education, encouraging ongoing community support.
https://oedit.colorado.gov/folk-and-traditional-arts-project-grant
Deadline: January-February 2025
The Folk and Traditional Arts Program Grant is dedicated to celebrating, documenting, and preserving Colorado’s cultural heritage through folk and traditional arts. It aims to enhance community well-being, encompassing belonging, cultural identity, economic vitality, and sense of place. This initiative includes two funding opportunities:
Funding for the creation, presentation, or teaching of folk and traditional arts.
And or funding for documenting folk or traditional arts and cultural heritage through the creation of community archiving, oral histories, or photojournalism, video or other creative and or documentary works.
https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/hughes-charitable-trust/
Deadlines: March 1, July 1 or November 1
Mabel Y. Hughes Charitable Trust mission is to benefit charitable, educational, religious, and hospital institutions in the state of Colorado.
https://avhuntertrust.org/what-we-fund/grants-to-organizations-overview/
Deadline: On-going
The A.V. Hunter Trust awards general operating grants, which provide organizations with the flexibility to meet the specific needs of those they serve. We support qualifying 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit organizations that offer direct services to individuals living in Colorado. The current focus of the Trust is to help small organizations – with annual operating budgets of less than $1 million – in communities that are rural or underserved.
https://www.jhedmondson.org/foundation
Deadlines: December 1, March 1, June 1, and September 1
The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation exists to serve the Colorado Springs Community. In keeping with the intent of the founders, the Foundation’s focus areas include: The Arts & Education; Community Development; Conservation & the Environment; and Health & Human Services.
Deadlines: Spring into Summer
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is proud to support the nation’s arts sector with grant opportunities so that together we can help everyone live more artful lives.
https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/parker-charitable-trust/
Deadline: April 30th
To carry out the donor’s stated preferences to support cancer research, the care and education of children with intellectual disabilities, and sporting programs for youth, particularly underprivileged children.
https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html?src=ft
Deadlines: Varies
Apply for grants for a variety of projects and initiatives.
Professional Development
Dates: May 1-2, 2025
Location: Grand Junction
https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-creative-industries-summit
The Creative Industries Summit is the annual event for Colorado creatives to connect, learn, and be inspired. More than 300 creative stakeholders from over 60 Colorado cities and towns attend the summit.
The two-day event offers exhibits, performances, networking opportunities, speakers, classes, and workshops.
The event is ideal for both early to late-career creative leaders including artists, board members, community leaders, creative entrepreneurs, creative industries advocates from all sectors, elected officials, emerging creatives, executive directors, municipal and nonprofit cultural workers, and program staff.
Dates and locations: Various
https://www.cde.state.co.us/standardsandinstruction/artsprofessionaldevelopment
Professional Development in the arts for standards and instructional support including dance, drama and theatre arts, visual art and music.
Dates: September 26th-29th, 2024
Location: Minneapolis, MN
https://tec.schooltheatre.org/2024/
EdTA’s Theatre Education Conference is held each year to provide educators with the opportunity to meet and network with their peers during an event featuring a wide range of professional development opportunities, keynote speakers, and exhibits on the latest in theatrical technology and educational resources.
Dates: September 28th-October 1st, 2024
Location: Bellevue, WA
https://www.ndeo.org/Learn/Conferences/Upcoming-NDEO-Conferences
NDEO invites dance educators to join together in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in the Fall of 2024 to share stories of revitalization. Inspired by the growth and greenery of our setting, we will gather in Bellevue, WA to reignite our shared passion for dance education. As we shift from acute reaction and response to the disruptions of the pandemic and into a new engagement with dance education, we will convene to share how we are revitalizing our dance programs and renewing our personal and professional dance practices.
Dates: March 20-22, 2025
Location: Louisville, KY
https://artseducators.org/event/national-convention
Secure your spot now for the 2025 NAEA National Convention. Yearly, NAEA brings thousands of visual arts, design and media arts education professionals together for this epic event offering hundreds of opportunities for all levels of educators, administrators, teaching artist, and more! Engage in premier professional learning and make meaningful connections at NAEA25. Join us in Louisville and be inspired!
Dates: September 25th-28th, 2024
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
https://nafme.org/professional-learning-events/
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2024 Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference will take place September 25-28, 2024, at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dates and location: Varies locally
https://www.peakradar.com/blog/blog/classes-workshops/
Always wanted to try something new, but never known where to start? Our Classes & Workshops page is the perfect place to find your next hobby – whether it’s art classes, textile workshops, or a cooking get-together.
Dates: June 11th-13th, 2024
Location: University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
https://think360arts.org/program/professional-development/
Immerse yourself in a 3-day professional learning odyssey where the themes of storytelling and world-building are at the forefront. This unique annual experience empowers you to weave narrative and imaginative elements into your teaching practice, transforming the way you approach trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive teaching, and engagement with learners of different abilities.
General Arts Education Resources
https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/arts-education
https://www.aep-arts.org/
.https://caeaco.org/
https://www.aep-arts.org/
https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-creative-industries
https://www.cde.state.co.us/coarts/artguidebook
https://schooltheatre.org/
https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/.
.https://www.ndeo.org/
https://www.arteducators.org/
