Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Black.
Hi Liz, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
40 West Arts was founded over a decade ago as a response to the scarcity of economic, creative, and civic activation in Lakewood’s West Colfax corridor. During that period, the corridor had not seen a single new business in over a decade. Additionally, these neighborhoods, which are among the most economically diverse in metro Denver, have been traditionally underserved by community spaces, amenities, and programming.
40 West Arts has been pivotal in growing economic activity, placemaking, neighborhood pride, civic participation, community, and more. In fact, the district is directly responsible for the opening or relocation of over 50 local creative organizations including Pirate: Contemporary Art (metro Denver’s longest continuously operating gallery), Lakewood Arts (Lakewood’s longest operating arts organization), and the Chicano Humanities Arts Council (CHAC).
In July of 2021, 40 West Arts celebrated its 10-year anniversary, a milestone for any organization, but particularly a small 501(c)3 non-profit. In the past decade, 40 West Arts has grown exponentially, becoming one of Jefferson County’s greatest creative assets, while simultaneously retaining its commitment to serve local neighborhoods and residents.
40 West Arts is a nod to the iconic stretch of road, Colfax Avenue or Route 40, that serves as both a physical home for the district and a component of the mission for a healthy and robust local community that welcomes residents and visitors. Key milestones include state certification from Colorado Creative Industries in 2014, the opening of 40 West Studios, a low-cost workspace for artists in 2015, and the launch of the 40 West ArtLine, a four-mile free outdoor arts route in 2018.
More recent accomplishments include the purchase and renovation of a historic building in the district which now houses seven local creative businesses, including 40 West Gallery. Almost 100% of our programming is free of charge, open to all, and multigenerational-friendly.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The rise of 40 West Arts from its beginning as just a vision in community meetings, to where we are today has been incredible. Overall, the trajectory has been strong and sustained but there have definitely been struggles along the way. As with so many arts organizations, the global pandemic was an incredible challenge for the district. We’d worked to grow our attendance, number of creative spaces, and standing in the community for many years.
And then suddenly that all came to a grinding halt, we had to shutter the gallery doors for something like seven, eight months straight, and even when we re-opened we couldn’t hold any events or festivals for many more months, we had to limit traffic to our spaces and other logistical challenges. It was really difficult to see our visitor numbers plummet and to see so many local creative businesses close.
I think another long-term challenge for the arts district, and for many arts districts across Colorado and nationwide, is the ups and downs of trying to create sustainability and permanence when so much about the area changes so rapidly, from commercial real estate rental and purchase rates to new developments, to changing neighborhood landscapes that play into how the arts district can operate and function.
Most arts districts are small businesses and/or tiny 501c-3 non-profit organizations. In that sense, we don’t have as much power as people think to drive specific kinds of developments to ensure that local creative businesses aren’t priced out of their locations, or have control over the types of developments that come into an area.
We are subject to market forces and often don’t have completely secure sources of funding, in addition to operating on very small budgets. Arts districts are incredible local neighborhood drivers and encourage local economy, activation, participation, and neighborhood pride but they can be lost if they aren’t protected.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As the executive director and an arts administrator for 40 West Arts, I think some of the things I am most proud of are when I have advocated for a project to be selected knowing that it pushes boundaries a bit, or is visionary or new. Sometimes it can be a bit more challenging to get projects like that approved by community groups and/or private businesses, but I am always so excited to see projects approved that invite more exploration, play, and curiosity.
Another thing I am proud of is working at 40 West Arts to create more pathways to bring historically marginalized voices to the table. As someone with a lot of inherent privilege, I try my best to reduce barriers and create pathways for diverse voices to come to the table in all aspects of the district from sitting on our Boards and committees to selecting public art to being the artists chosen for major projects.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Two things come to mind, one is that individuals want to engage with art, not just look at it or listen to it. Immersive concepts will continue to be bigger and more impactful going forward. What kinds of art can you touch play with or walk through? These projects will continue to be front and center and in fact, the metro Denver region is really making a name for itself in the immersive art category.
This is very exciting. Two, I think local neighborhoods are coming back into play in the metro Denver region, versus needing to go into downtown Denver to find theater, art installations, etc. I am seeing a lot of smaller local movements pop up and I think residents and local visitors are really excited to connect with what’s right in their backyard. This is creating more opportunities for creatives to really play and engage in these hyper-local environments and speak to the people who are already living and working there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.40westarts.org
- Instagram: @40westarts
- Facebook: @40westarts
