Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000CHAPTER 3: ARTS AND CULTURE
Mesa County will improve and enhance awareness of the whole person — spiritual, physical and emotional — and consider all of these dimensions when planning.
Value
- Mesa County will provide a variety of artistic and cultural programs and events, designed to develop, enhance and showcase local talent, in addition to bringing in national talent for inspiration and enjoyment.
Goals
- A. Mesa County will provide for the future by ensuring that children experience artistic and cultural growth.
- B. Mesa County will continue to recognize the importance of the arts in its community, and its impact in creating a rich cultural environment.
- C. Mesa County will strive to ensure that a variety of programs and events are offered to appeal to a diverse audience.
Introduction
In addition to the cultural, recreational, and educational value the arts contribute to our quality of life. The importance of the arts as a tool for economic development is also significant.
The arts are a clean industry which enhance the community's economy. They can be a major factor in industrial recruitment and retention. The arts effectively energize urban growth, downtown development and the social life of the community.
Leisure activities include recreation as well as arts and culture. For this report, recreational activities are covered under Physical Health and Well-Being, and parks are included in Natural Environment.
"When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses — for art established the basic human truths which must serve as the touchstone of our judgment." — John F. KennedyThe Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture
The Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture is a nine-member volunteer board appointed by the Grand Junction City Council. It is dedicated to developing and improving the quality, quantity, accessibility and affordability of arts and culture for the citizens of Grand Junction.
While its immediate jurisdiction is the City of Grand Junction, the Commission also tracks arts and cultural activities throughout the valley.
The information highlighted here is taken directly from the Economic Impact of the Arts in the Grand Valley report written by Allison Sarmo, Cultural Arts Coordinator of the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture.
The report was the result of a 1996 survey conducted by the Commission. Of the 66 groups surveyed, 42 (64%) responded.
Survey respondents represented the major organizations (those with paid staff) within the Grand Valley, from Fruita to Palisade. Information gathered in the survey includes activities and expenditures in 1996 or the last completed fiscal year.
1. Number of Arts and Cultural Organizations
There are 66 arts and cultural organizations in the Grand Valley, up from about 50 five years ago. Eleven new organizations have begun in the last two and a half years.
There are nine local organizations which are at least 25 years old. The newest organizations include the Celtic Society, the Italian Cultural Society, Teatro Salsa, and the City of Fruita Historic Preservation Board.
Of the 66 arts and cultural organizations and institutions, eight were founded for the purpose of education. About half were formed as associations to provide opportunities for members to share an artistic talent or cultural interest.
The other half were established to bring art, culture, dance, music, history, literature, or theater to the general public.
2. Number of Organizations Celebrating Specific Cultures
There are numerous cultural events celebrated throughout the year, including Cinco de Mayo and Oktoberfest.
The fifteen organizations listed here celebrate specific cultures: Bavarian Band / Thunder Mountain Band, Celtic Society, Friends of Turkey, Friendship Force, German American Club of Western Colorado, Italian Cultural Society, Kehalani Polynesian Dancers, Khuhsurat Ruh Dance Troupe, La Mexicana Ballet Folklorico, Latin Anglo Alliance, Sons of Norway, Swedes of the Grand Valley, Sultan's Pride Middle Eastern Dance, Teatro Salsa, Western Slope Bluegrass Association, and a group from the Philippines.
May link to . . .
- Economy
- Education
- Sense of Belonging
- Family Support
- Mental Health/Stress
The ten largest institutions providing arts and/or cultural opportunities, events and activities are:
- Mesa County Public Library District
- Museum of Western Colorado
- Mesa State College's art, dance, music and theater departments and lecture series
- Dinamation Dinosaur Discovery Museum
- Grand Junction Musical Arts Association (Grand Junction Symphony, Grand Junction Centennial Band, Western Colorado Chorale, Grand Valley Children's Choir)
- Western Colorado Center for the Arts
- Colorado West Performing Arts Center (Colorado West Dance)
- Avalon Theatre
- Western Colorado Botanical Society
- Doo Zoo Children's Museum
3. Number of and Attendance at Arts and Cultural Events
Figure 3-1: Arts and Cultural Programs of All Types and Attendance
Source: Economic Impact of the Arts in the Grand Valley; Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture, 1997. Number of exhibits does not include permanent exhibits such as those at the Museum of Western Colorado.
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