Comments on: Arts sector rich in diversity, lacking in opportunities

By: Jennifer Malenky

Jennifer Malenky — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:27:51 +0000

I can definitely attest to the sentiments herein – it’s one thing though to have these kinds of opportunities and quite another for them to pay a living wage. As one advances into one’s 30s and family becomes a priority, finding decent paying nonprofit jobs – in any “industry”, arts or otherwise, exclusive of the big religious organizations – is next to impossible.

and Noel’s right too about the lack of post-grad arts education. My husband is a practicing professional artist who teaches in programs that do not require an MFA. But what a pity and waste of his talents that this credential, which could open so many doors to him and others, is totally lacking anywhere in this part of the state. The closest you can obtain one is Boulder.

By: Noel Black

Noel Black — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:28:26 +0000

While we may have the population and organizations, we’re missing the most basic ingredient: an MFA program and the artists and art students it would attract. It’s too bad that between UCCS, The FAC and CC there isn’t a great post-grad arts and or writing program with excellent, national-caliber artists/writers to teach and start drawing the kinds of young people who will open galleries and make the kind of art that the Broadmoor Academy/FAC crowd did pre-MFA programs. Maybe one day.

By: Bettina Swigger

Bettina Swigger — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:29:22 +0000

John, you flatter me. Thank you so much for your kind words. And yes, you may have a point regarding the dearth of full-time nonprofit arts jobs in the region, though that did not contribute to my decision to leave. I believe that the founders of COPPeR (and, for the record, that credit goes to the wise and visionary Susan Edmondson, Kimberley Sherwood and Michael Coumatos – I’ve served as first ED but did not found the organization) are very proud of the fact that they created an organization whose mission could be moved forward by not one but TWO full-time professionals – talk about exponential growth in a sector!

Incidentally, COPPeR has signed on to participate in the Creative Vitality Index, which is a sophisticated tool of measuring the creative economy, to include commercial arts industry, volume of retail sales and non-profit economic impact. Stay tuned!

By: Dick Burns

Dick Burns — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:55:14 +0000

John, John, John, you are such a dreamer…