<\/p>\n
Nearby towns and cities like Mancos, Telluride and Grand Junction recently established art districts to cultivate rich, vibrant communities. It begs the question why Durango \u2013 home to an active arts center, talented local actors and galleries \u2013 hasn\u2019t done the same.<\/p>\n
Local First, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local businesses, with the help of artists and other Durango businesses (the city of Durango, Chamber of Commerce, the tourism office, Durango Arts Center and many others) are in the beginning stages of establishing one.<\/p>\n
\u201c(The idea) is to quite literally be put on the map as a destination for arts and creativity and be known as a community of makers,\u201d said Hayley Kirkman, Local First\u2019s creative arts and special projects coordinator. \u201cIt would be really great marketing for Durango.\u201d<\/p>\n
Creative districts are established by a certificate from Colorado Created Industries through invitation only. If certified, CCI provides seed money, resources and marketing tools to help make the district a success. Invitations will go out in fall 2019, which gives the members involved time to plan. (Kirkman said that in 2008, the city tried to establish a creative district but wasn\u2019t able to do so because of lack of staff.)<\/p>\n
\u201cThey want to see that your town is ready; you have your goals in line and your narrative,\u201d Kirkman said.<\/p>\n
Those goals include: determining the city\u2019s cultural, historical and creative assets; proposing boundary lines; figuring out how to provide a self-sustaining entity; and recommending the best legal framework to support the plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes time to cook the pot,\u201d said local artist Cheryl Roberts, who has been helping with creative district planning. \u201cPeople come with all their individual ideas, and the stew has got to be collaborative. It takes time.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a way to help the cause, Roberts and other artists are hosting their third annual art show through the month of January. Opening night for their \u201cLocal Artists Supporting Local First\u201d will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Smiley Caf\u00e9. in the Smiley Building. Twenty-five percent of each sale will go to Local First to help its efforts to establish the creative district.<\/p>\n
The exhibit will show the work of artists from a plein air group and critique group, Looking Glass Collective. The women in the show understand the benefits of working together, which can be applied to the creative district.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all been working individually, so hard for so long. \u2026 If we have some semblance of organization, we can then use that as an economic driver,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cThis entity could be that platform for us so we can spend more time on creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are currently 21 established districts in the state. Crested Butte, Carbondale, Ridgway, Salida and others make up the Colorado Creative Corridor. Durango could be on there, too. And along with drawing more artists to the area, it could diversify the economy so Durango is not just a ski resort, hospital or train, Roberts said.<\/p>\n
Roberts envisions places like Ashland, Oregon, where each storefront along the river is a busy gallery. Other ideas that were floated around the first two meetings include using the trolley to transport people from art space to art space; developing more workshops and work spaces; and increasing efforts for more art walks, among others.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do have a interest in replicating what Mancos did and stepping up to that larger role,\u201d Kirkman said.<\/p>\n
The Mancos District was established in 2016 with the goals of driving economic development, beautifying the streets with public art and opening more galleries.<\/p>\n
The Mancos Creative District recently helped the Mancos Opera House obtain money for critical restoration. It has helped revitalization in pocket parks and is bringing public murals to bland walls. It has also helped launch art workshops and classes. While there hasn\u2019t been any official data collected, Mancos Creative District\u2019s board President Carol Mehesy said the changes the district brought to the community are noticeable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really seeing synergy in the downtown revitalization,\u201d she said. \u201cThe opening of the cidery and brewery speaks to the maker movement in the district.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mehesy said a creative district in Durango will continue to add to that synergy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all seems really nebulous right now, and nobody knows what to expect \u2013 not even the facilitators of this,\u201d Kirkman said. \u201cAnd that is going to be the interesting part \u2013 unearthing what this means for our community.\u201d<\/p>\n