Colorado Creative Industries

Governor Polis Announces Colorado Author as New Poet Laureate

Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Andrea Gibson has been selected as the new Colorado Poet Laureate, succeeding Bobby LeFebre. Gibson, a Boulder-based queer activist, author, and slam poet will serve in the role for two years. 

Former Summit County Commissioner and Executive Director of Theatre SilCo Named Head of Colorado Creative Industries Division

DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has named Joshua Blanchard Director of Colorado Creative Industries. Blanchard brings a rich amount of arts experience to his new role as CCI Director, including serving as Executive Director of Theatre SilCo. He will oversee the state’s arts agency leading efforts to position Colorado as a hub of innovative thinking, practice and business, expanding creative economies and supporting placemaking across the state.

Colorado Creates Grant Provides Vital Support to Small Organizations

97 Grants Awarded Across 24 Colorado Counties

DENVER — The Colorado Creative Industries Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade announced today that 97 arts organizations across 24 Colorado counties have been awarded $632,000 in Colorado Creates Grants. From Delta to El Paso County, these grants will help organizations and communities create art and cultural activities by providing general operating support.

Governor’s Creative Leadership Awards Recognize Excellence in Creative Industries

Today, Gov. Polis and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) are pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Governor’s Creative Leadership Awards. Each year, the Creative Leadership Awards recognize Coloradans who have demonstrated a significant commitment to the state’s creative landscape through civic leadership and volunteerism. 

Media Alert: “It’s Words by Heart: Poetry Out Loud 2023” program to air on PBS12 on April 29

The Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT), and Lighthouse Writers Workshop announced today that PBS12 will air a documentary featuring Colorado’s state finals for Poetry Out Loud. This annual event was held on March 1, 2023 at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Thirteen students from 12 schools and organizations across Colorado performed poems live on stage to celebrate poetry.

Community Revitalization Grants Foster Equitable Economic Recovery and Development

The Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today that the Latino Cultural Art Center (LCAC) in Denver and Clear Creek Center for Arts and Education (CCCAE) in Idaho Springs have been selected to receive Community Revitalization Grants (CRG).

Colorado Teen Hana Kebede Wins State Poetry Out Loud Competition

Headed to National Competition in Washington DC in May

The Colorado Creative Industries division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and Lighthouse Writers Workshop are pleased to announce that Hana Kebede of Overland High School has been named the 2023 Colorado Poetry Out Loud State Champion. Kebede will advance to the national competition in May.

Colorado Creates grants to further the arts in 28 Colorado counties

Today, Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), announced the FY2023 recipients of the Colorado Creates Grant Program. A total of 121 grants will distribute $834,500 to arts organizations and communities across 28 Colorado counties, including Routt, La Plata, Weld and Pueblo counties.   

Colorado Creative Industries Director Margaret Hunt Receives NASAA 2022 Luminary Award for Transformative Executive Leadership

Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), is pleased to announce that the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) has named Margaret Hunt, director of Colorado Creative Industries, the recipient of its 2022 Luminary Award for Transformative Executive Leadership. The award recognizes an executive director who has exhibited exemplary leadership and made a significant contribution to public support for the arts at the state, regional and national levels. Hunt has served as CCI director since 2013 under Govs.

Six New Community Revitalization Awards Provide Community Arts Spaces Across Colorado

Today, the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced six new recipients of the Community Revitalization Grant, including projects in Ignacio, Mancos, and Steamboat Springs. This program is intended to help creative districts, historic districts, main streets and neighborhood commercial centers across Colorado revitalize community spaces.