Imagine…
a creative community brimming with: music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, folk art, literature; thoughtful invention, scientific exploration and innovative engineering; enticing architecture and engaging ideas; people using their creativity and people applauding the creativity of others.Now, open your eyes, read through these pages, watch this image come to life!
Help this image come to life!
Why?
Because there is more to life than tests, work and video games. As a not-for-profit organization, our mission is to connect people of all ages to the brain-stimulating, life-enriching power of creativity.
We vigorously pursue:
• Inspiring artistic and intellectual curiosity in children, teens and adults;
• Engaging our community in collaborative experiences;
• Showcasing the creative achievements of young people;
• Invigorating life-long learning;
• Igniting creativity;
And, of course…Celebrating!
How?
By playing well with others! During the past 23 years, Imagination Celebration has forged partnerships with outstanding arts and cultural organizations (local, regional and national), schools, businesses, and government agencies. Our region is rich with imaginative organizations and individuals providing excellent artful and creative experiences. See a complete list of Imagination Celebration Leadership Council members on page 13 – a stellar group significantly enriching the Pikes Peak region. This guide provides a mere glimpse of the richness. Dig in!
When? …All year long!
Imagination Celebration and our creative partners are busy year-round organizing, producing and presenting, enriching and creative experiences.
Come play with us!
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The IC (I see!) is a not-for-profit,
mission-driven, community-connecting organization.
Visit Imagination Celebration on Facebook!
Our Mission
Imagination Celebration (IC) connects people to the brain-stimulating, community-building, life-enhancing power of creativity by inspiring artistic and intellectual curiosity; instigating community collaborations and promoting life-long experiential learning that helps us thrive in a changing world.
We do this by
• stimulating partnerships that encourage life-long learning and broad participation in cultural life;
• developing support for arts as an integral component of year-round in-school and out-of-school programs and services for young people and their families;
• stimulating imagination and creativity while fostering new collaborations; celebrating achievements in the arts for and by youth;
• and maximizing educational benefits by using arts experiences to help students learn important skills while engendering excitement for a variety of subjects.
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Awards & Recognition
Imagination Celebration has been honored for excellence with such awards as the Kennedy Center Award for Excellence and multiple El Pomar Awards. Highly competitive reviews around the state and nation have resulted in the following:2007 “Diversity Award” by the joint Chambers of Commerce (Black Chamber, Hispanic Chamber and Greater Colorado Springs Chamber)
2007 National Endowment for the Arts award for Conexion del Mariachi
Received top ranking in state for ArtWorx! proposal for Youth Reach Initiative serving at-risk high school students through after-school programs.
Received top ranking in state by Colorado Council on the Arts for Arts Learning Network (8 organizations identified as outstanding arts education models).
Selected as model by Colorado Council on the Arts to showcase as a Best Practice in the state for reaching underserved families (“Colorado Connections” southern Colorado Tour Program provided over 400 programs in over 70 rural towns in southern Colorado).
Awarded two National Endowment for the Arts grants for our Outposts Outreach program serving children in Guffey, Cripple Creek, Lake George, Divide, Ellicott, Edison, Yoder, Peyton, Calhan, and Hanover - this highly competitive review requires highest artistic excellence, organizational capacity and demonstrable results.
Selected as national model by Crayola for their national publication on Strategies for Success: Bridges Toward Creative Collaboration in Your Community (see enclosed copy).
Annual high ranking (usually within top 5 ranking for past 10 years) by Colorado Council on the Arts peer review panel assessing service to the community, artistic excellence, organizational capacity and measurable outcomes.
WHAT IF - 3pg pdf
WHAT IC DOES - 1pg pdf