Orchestra performances, plays, lectures, art museums, movies, comedy shows, concerts in the park, powwows, dances and sculptures; the arts are essential to our way of life and mental health. They make us happy, aware and grateful. They offer social connection, time for reflection, and space to laugh and cry.

Art opportunities in our region are thriving, and the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is proud to support this growth.

The Foundation will address arts and culture needs across five counties and two sovereign nations with our third quarter SPUR funding. This will help drive revenue for local businesses and strengthen our local economy. In doing so, we are supporting locals with an artistic bent while also addressing positive mental health and well-being.

According to a national public opinion survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, 80% of Americans visited or watched an arts or culture event in person within the last year. And more than 75% of them said they consider arts and culture personally important, contributing to their joy, sense of well-being and creativity.

According to the same survey, about 73% of Americans believe arts and culture provide shared experiences with people of different races, ethnicities, ages, beliefs and backgrounds. Thus, making the arts a beneficial aspect of society, branching well beyond individual benefits.

An overwhelming 92% of Americans believe every student should have access to a quality arts education. By contrast, only 52% believe those opportunities are sufficient in our schools. This emphasizes the need for community-based arts events that provide space for local creativity and connection.

Across political lines, Americans strongly support government funding for the arts, with bipartisan majorities approving of local (70%), state (66%) and federal (66%) investments in nonprofit arts organizations and community-based arts programs.

The Community Foundation is helping to fill in some of those gaps with quarter three funding from the SPUR Fund. Here are some highlights of how this funding will benefit our community.

Regionally, funding will support:

Colorado 250/150 Project in recognition of the 250th birthday of the United States and the 150th birthday of Colorado.KSUT Tribal Radio to enhance Indigenous-specific reporting.

In LaPlata County, funding will support:

The Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts in Ignacio to match funds for youth programming in collaboration with the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy.Merely Players to help cultivate local talent for costume design and creation.Bayfield High School Theatre to assist with production costs for its fall show.

In Montezuma County, funding will support:

The Mancos Creative District Opera House to help enhance the theater’s lighting.The Cortez Cultural Center to purchase items to better display historical artifacts and local artists’ creations.City of Dolores School District Music Department to support music students’ travel expenses for competitions.

In Dolores County, funding will support:

“Main Street beautification” to display local artists’ works at local businesses in both Dove Creek and Rico.Artists of Rico to help elevate the area’s talented artists and craftspeople.Dolores County Schools’ Art Program to enhance the supply budget so students can explore more mediums in class.

In San Juan County, funding will support:

Silverton Creative District to enhance opportunities for local artists at the Powerhouse as well as the Summer Sounds concert series.

In Archuleta County, funding will support:

Thingamajig Theater to provide professional theater productions for the community as well as educational opportunities for local children for the fall/winter season.

I am proud to be on a working board that does so much for so many. You can support this effort by donating to the Community Foundation’s SPUR Fund at swcommunityfoundation.org. We can do so much good when we all work together.

Barbara McLachlan is a board member of the Community Foundation serving SW Colorado.