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Advocacy
Bringing Creatives Together!
Formerly Community Arts Partners (CAP), we bring together organizations and interested parties to advocate for the arts around the Grand Valley.
Year-round we advocate for arts & culture and the creative economy. News items at the state and national level are on our News page. Local events, such as Candidate Forums, are posted here on this page and on our Events page.
Tools for advocates are offered below and on our Resources and Glossary page.
During election cycles, we hold Arts and Culture Forums with Grand Junction City Council candidates and D51 School Board candidates. Through moderated questions, we learn how each candidate plans to include arts and culture in their platforms. The next Candidate Forum is Sept. 23, 2025 with District 51 Candidates for School Board - more info below and on our Events page.
Long-range: We are working with GJ City Council in support of a full-time director or coordinator for Arts and Culture. The Case Study is available for download at the bottom of this page. A full-time position would have a positive impact on the creative economy of Grand Junction and the region.
Send an email to info@gvcreates.org or use our Contact form and let us know your interests.
We look forward to collaborating with you!
We work at the individual level, too!
Join us for Outreach events such as Art After Hours
Candidate Forum - Tues. Sept. 23, 2025
Fall 2025 - District 51 School Board
What: Arts and Culture Forum - A question and answer session specifically addressing arts and culture; presented by Grand Valley Creative Alliance (GVCA), moderated by Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, Director of Mesa County Libraries and GVCA Board Member.
Who: Candidates for D51 Board of Education Directors
https://www.d51schools.org/board-of-education
Why: This forum began with City Council candidates in 2021 and has continued with D51 Board of Education candidates each election cycle.
When: September 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Art Center, 7th & Orchard (Studio Colorado).
Admission Free Thanks to our Sponsors and Members!
Thank you to The Art Center for hosting this event.
Join GVCA as a member!
Why Local Arts & Culture Matter
Local Economic Impact from Arts and Culture
Arts and culture are not just expressions of creativity—they are essential pillars of community well-being and economic vitality. In Mesa County, from May 2022 to June 2023, arts and culture events generated an impressive $13.2 million in event-related spending, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and driving tourism*. This economic impact highlights how deeply integrated the arts are into the fabric of our community’s financial health. Arts & Culture impacts Colorado's economy as much as the Outdoor Industry, more than Agriculture, and more than Mining.
The importance of arts and culture goes beyond numbers. A recent survey reveals that 80.6% of Mesa County residents would feel a profound loss if local cultural activities or venues were no longer available*. This reflects how strongly the arts are woven into the community's identity. Furthermore, 84.2% of respondents say these events and venues inspire a sense of pride in their neighborhood or community, while 83.3% view their attendance as a way to preserve these vital cultural assets for future generations*.
The arts foster connection, civic pride, and collective heritage, while simultaneously contributing to economic growth. By supporting arts and culture, we’re not only enhancing our quality of life today but also investing in the future of the Grand Valley.
*Americans Speak Out About the Arts in 2023
