Mission
In a world where budget pressures make the arts the province of the privileged, PlatteForum gives underserved youth a chance to work side-by-side with master artists to create and present new work, fostering personal and community growth.

"This is real: a real show, a real place, real artists. This is what education is all about...not sitting in the classroom but in experiencing real life experiences."
Neil, father

History

PlatteForum is an innovative art center in downtown Denver that introduces underserved youth to the world of art. The program gives small groups of underserved youth a chance to participate in intensive workshops Learning Labs led by master artists Creative Residents. Each creative endeavor culminates in the completion of a finished work that is presented to the public in exhibitions and performances, complete with an opening reception at PlatteForum. Throughout the process, the public is invited to drop in and watch the work take form. The PlatteForum approach, pairing youth learning labs with a creative residency program, makes a unique and valuable contribution to the city's cultural discourse while fostering personal growth. PlatteForum was founded in the autumn of 2002 as a response to the critical need for education in the arts for public schools and at-risk youth. In three short years, PlatteForum has created a unique learning environment that has been recognized and supported by the Riverfront Park Community Foundation, SCFD, the Denver Foundation, NEA, Colorado Council on the Arts, Community Bankshares, Inc, Pinkard Construction, Denver Public School Foundation, Xcel Energy Foundation, Colorado Council on the Arts, HealthONE, Ronald McDonald House Charities and hundreds of individuals and companies that comprise our Friends of PlatteForum. We also were named "Best Gallery for Kids" in Westword's "Best of Denver 2004", and received the 2006 Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. PlatteForum has collaborated with over 6o non-profit and educational organizations whose mission is arts and education. Each year PlatteForum brings more than 5,000 underserved children, their families, and the general public to our studios - to work in small groups with professional, practicing artists, to experience the arts process, and to exhibit their works in our Lower Downtown, eclectic setting. Children and teens at PlatteForum build relationships with their mentors - while they create and implement a tangible project from beginning to end. This project culminates in a performance or exhibition to the public, bringing an incredible sense of accomplishment to youth. PlatteForum is a member of the Alliance of Artist Communities. www.artistcommunities.org

The Vision/The Need

When children engage in the process of creating, they learn to identify needs, to work collaboratively, to explore and appreciate solutions, to weigh alternatives, and to communicate their ideas verbally, graphically, through materials and forms and movement. These are important life skills.The arts are one of the primary vehicles with which we can develop a community of healthy, compassionate and innovative individuals. We believe that arts education is critical to the development of all youth at all stages in their lives. Learning in the arts builds strong self-awareness and self esteem. In 2002, Colorado plummeted to 50th in per capita state arts support.

Our vision is to supplement the curriculum offered through public education, to raise a generation of children who learn how to tap into their own creativity, resourcefulness and power through art. By creating a lively center where artists work side-by-side with kids, we will support the healthy development of young people, and enrich the creative lives and work of professional artists.

How We Are Funded

PlatteForum maintains a diversified base of funding through corporate sponsorships, individual memberships and in-kind donations. The Riverfront Park Community Foundation and Central Platte Valley LLC helped to launch PlatteForum by providing its initial financial foundation. Operations will be sustained in the long-term through a diversified funding strategy that includes foundation, public sector, corporate and individual support.

PlatteForum is a 501 (c) (3) corporation that maintains a diversified base of funding through grants, sponsorships, individual memberships and in-kind donations. To find out how you can be involved, please follow this link to Get Involved.

Location

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The facility features two distinct indoor spaces, the Spotlight Gallery and the Forum, as well as a dedicated outdoor sculpture area. The facility has a kitchen, private office, storage and restrooms, making it an ideal facility for events and meetings as well as art exhibits.