“I look forward to an America which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft. I look forward to an America which will steadily raise the standards of artistic accomplishment, and which will steadily enlarge cultural opportunities for all of our citizens.” 

Shortly before his death, President John F. Kennedy made this declaration as he laid out a vision for the arts in America at Amherst College on October 26, 1963. In his remarks at the groundbreaking of the Robert Frost Library, he described the role of the arts and the artist in society. Even today, it stands as a bold and idealistic statement about the importance of the creative spirit in a democratic society and the essential role of the artist as citizen. 

Although I firmly believe we are each creative in our own unique ways, all of us are not destined to be artists. Still, we can each choose to be participants in our society. To that end, there is a very exciting development happening in Alamosa that we each can take part in.   

For the past year and a half, a group of Alamosa residents, including myself, have been meeting monthly to make plans for “Alamosa Creates: A Colorado Creative District.” Appointed by our City Council, our committee of volunteers has been preparing plans for Alamosa to apply to the Colorado Creative Districts program. CCD is a state-wide initiative of the Colorado Creative Industries, our state’s art agency housed in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. 

Being awarded the title of a Creative District certifies that a community contributes to our local and state’s economy through creativity, culture, and the arts. The program’s goal is to help communities increase jobs, incomes, and investments in locales that hold space for the arts and culture. 

There are currently 30 certified Creative Districts including Breckenridge, Durango, Gunnison, La Veta, and Trinidad. It is our hope that Alamosa joins this list of notable communities across Colorado. 

To accomplish that goal, we need your help.  Over the next few months, we are hosting four community outreach gatherings called “Alamosa Creates: Show Us How!” Please join us on any the following dates: April 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Adams State University’s Xperimental Theatre, April 29 from 5-7 p.m. at the SLV Boys and Girls Club, May 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the SLV Museum, and June 10 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at City Hall. 

At these meetings, you will learn more about what a Creative District is and what it can do for our community. Artist, businessperson, educator, healthcare worker, farmer, rancher, and more, whoever you are in our community, you will also have the opportunity to share with us your ideas and vision for Alamosa Creates. 

As my theatre hero, Luis Valdez of El Teatro Campesino, once told me “The future belongs to those who can imagine it.” Join with us and let’s imagine together the future of the arts in Alamosa.

John H. Taylor is a faculty member at Adams State University. These views are his own and do not reflect those of the university.