About Us
History

About Us

Colorado Art Ranch is a nomadic arts organization, founded on the belief that the arts are catalysts for change. In support of that belief we offer residencies for literary and visual artists, and Artposia for the public.

We travel to Colorado towns each year to sponsor one-month residencies for artists from around the world. Colorado Art Ranch also hosts a public forum, called an Artposium, to promote conversations on how the arts intersect with land and social issues.

A Unique Arts Organization

Nomadic. Colorado Art Ranch owns neither land nor buildings. We bring the residencies and Artposia to Colorado towns where housing, studio space, and conference facilities are rented or donated.

Interdisciplinary. Every residency mixes literary and visual artists to promote the exchange of ideas. Each Artposium explores how the arts intersect with life and the land from myriad viewpoints.

Boundary-crossing. Because Colorado Art Ranch is nomadic, it connects artists, writers, and supporters from many communities across the state. Because it is interdisciplinary, the Artposium fosters collaboration among artists, writers, scientists, and policy makers.

Community-building. Colorado Art Ranch serves communities across the state, requires artists-in-residence to donate time to the towns that host them, recruits local ambassadors to serve as “Art Buddies” for the visiting artists and draws on local experts for some of the presentations at the Artposia.

Mission
Many of us are looking for ways to understand and address previously unimagined challenges in the world. Colorado Art Ranch believes that the arts, in collaboration with the sciences, can help solve contemporary land and social issues. Our organization strives to nurture the development of literary, visual and performing artists who ask difficult questions through their work; stimulate interdisciplinary collaborations that help envision solution; and build the creative capital in towns throughout Colorado.

Vision
Colorado Art Ranch envisions a world where creative interdisciplinary thinking is cultivated, valued, and used to solve land and social issues.

Values
Colorado Art Ranch is built on the values of community giving, land stewardship, collaboration, respect for our country’s rura lheritage, creativity, openness of heart, and laughter.

Colorado Art Ranch does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.

Board of Directors

Kim Brown
VP/Secretary

Jim Durr
VP/Treasurer

Cathi Schwalbe
President

Michael Mowry
Board Member Emeritus

Carol Ozaki
Board Member Emerita

Grant Pound
Creative Director

Co-Founder
Peggy Lawless

Donors

Colorado Art Ranch enjoys the support of a number of individuals. We are grateful for our partners in our mission. Donate

Collaborations

As we travel to various towns throughout Colorado we have benefited from collaborations with other organizations. This is a great boon to our mission.

The Nature Conservancy, Steamboat Springs
Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver
Maribou Ranch, Steamboat Springs
Metro State College of Denver
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Epilogue Book Company, Steamboat Springs
ArtWorks for the Heart of the Rockies, Salida
Durango Arts Center, Durango
Book Haven, Salida