The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPR) is proud to launch PeakArtsEd, a new arts education search tool within the PeakRadar.com website. This is the region’s first centralized tool where school educators and community members can explore and book local creative classes, educational programs, field trips, camps and more from a variety of local arts organizations.
“Frequently people don’t know where to look for arts education programs for themselves or their children,” says Melissa O’Rear, COPPR’s Program Manager of Education. “Schools often struggle to develop diverse partnerships with arts organizations—meanwhile, artists tell us, ‘We can’t get in the door!’ PeakArtsEd bridges that gap, breaking down barriers and creating more access to arts education offerings for everyone.”
To kick off this new resource for the community, the Cultural Office will host a “Coffee with COPPR” on Wednesday, August 14th from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the home of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony at 3113 Primrose Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. Melissa O’Rear, along with COPPR’s Executive Director, Angela Seals, will showcase the new tool that is already filling with many arts organization programs. The launch event is free and open to the public and press.
PeakArtsEd achieves a goal called for in the Arts Vision 2030 ten-year cultural plan. It was developed based on community feedback to make arts education offerings from local artists and organizations more accessible. Marcia Hendricks, Executive Director of The Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, says, “PeakArtsEd is a game changer for our community, providing arts programs in an accessible one-stop shop. This tool will benefit arts educators and arts organizations alike, broadening program access for students throughout the Pikes Peak region.”
Educators in schools can search for programs like field trips, in-school arts-integrated workshops (often aligned with state education standards) and professional development for teachers. “When a school makes a purposeful effort to educate using the arts, content is learned on a much deeper level,” says Ian Schimmel, Assistant Principal at Widefield Elementary School of the Arts. “Risks are taken, laughter is heard, and the whole child is educated.”
Community members can use PeakArtsEd to find arts classes in theatre, music, dance, visual arts, film and more. Classes cater to a variety of demographics, from youth to age 55+, including special programs for military families and community members needing accessibility or therapy options. Drop-down menus help users to explore by date, art form, population served and even cultural origin.
Arts organizations in the Pikes Peak region can promote their classes and programs at PeakArtsEd year-round, for free, by logging in to PeakRadar.com, where many already post event listings.
“This our largest expansion of PeakRadar.com, our flagship program, in years,” says Angela Seals. “This powerful website continues to connect our community to arts, culture and entertainment, increasing access, stimulating our creative economy, and boosting participation in the arts – now in new ways.”
