Gov. John Hickenlooper on Monday kicked off Space to Create, a statewide initiative — using Artspace Loveland as its guide — to develop affordable housing, galleries, workspace and community gathering areas in nine rural Colorado communities.
Led by the state Office of Economic Development’s Colorado Creative Industries, Department of Local Affairs, History Colorado, the Boettcher Foundation and Minneapolis-based nonprofit Artspace, the initiative hopes to replicate the $10 million Loveland project in towns such as Trinidad.
Artspace Loveland includes 30 affordable loft-style apartments above gallery space that is across the street from the historic Feed & Grain Building, being redeveloped into art studio and business space.
Boettcher Foundation president Tim Schultz said a common lament of rural communities is how to spark main-street revitalization and develop affordable housing. “When Artspace came to the Boettcher Foundation, all of a sudden we were sitting around saying, ‘Couldn’t we do this in rural Colorado?’ “
Each Space to Create project will be chosen through a competitive process. The projects will cost roughly $5 million each, Hickenlooper said, which will come from state, community and philanthropic organizations.
Hickenlooper said national research has demonstrated that art hubs foster economic development. “They’re linked to innovation and entrepreneurship.”
