Community Engagement
The Art Students League of Denver connects art lovers with the joy of creativity through a broad network of community engagement programs.
Community is one of our core values at the Art Students League of Denver, which is why we've spent more than a decade working with partners across the metro area to create opportunities for artmaking beyond our studios. Since 2012, ASLD has partnered with numerous artists, organizations, and neighborhoods to design and implement community engagement programs that make creative self-expression available and accessible all throughout the region. Below we've highlighted just a few of these programs and partners—the full list is too long to share here!
Some highlights of our community engagement efforts:
Increasing access
We offer free, all-ages artmaking workshops for youth, adults, and multi-generational audiences at community hubs like Westwood Community Center and Anythink Libraries. These programs build a bridge to the arts for community members with limited access to artmaking opportunities.
We also know that anybody with any body can be an artist, which is why we prioritize artmaking for artists of all ages and physical abilities through our partnerships with local senior centers and organizations such as River Deep Foundation and Craig Hospital.
Making new possibilities
At ASLD, we believe that practicing creativity can both improve mental wellbeing and build life skills. Workshops like those we offer at The Gathering Place and through our Art in Prison program encourage the use of creativity in processing life's challenges, and help participants prepare for a future that integrates the arts.
Creative learning and development
We reach both art teachers and students through a variety of programs with public schools in Denver & Jefferson counties.
Nurturing creative young leaders
We provide administrative and leadership support to the Diversity in the Arts (DITA) internship program. DITA creates a pipeline to leadership for creative young people who represent the variety of Colorado's arts community. College students with an interest in the arts are matched with paid, 10-week internships at cultural nonprofits along the Front Range, where they can gain experience and build connections to forge a more vibrant creative community.
Create with us
We're always looking to expand our community through new collaborations. Interested in partnering with us? Contact Aubrey Ryan, Director of Programming & Community Engagement, at a.ryan@asld.org.
