ICD

Ignacio Creative District history

In April of 2019, a group of concerned Ignacio business owners and community leaders, led by Kasey Correia, began meeting to discuss the possibility of helping Ignacio become a designated Creative District within the state. In May, members of the steering committee visited numerous near-by creative districts to better understand their value. The visit showed how a creative district designation can have a positive impact and effect on the economic outlook of a town and region.

Today, we are a collaborative of dedicated artists, creatives, and engaged community members who have come together to support and foster artistic expression to help the community create, learn, and grow. We believe this will ultimately lead to a more engaged community.

Like many, ICD was forced to push several projects slated for completion in 2020 - ‘21 due to COVID, which has not only impacted our fundraising efforts, but also impacted our ability to produce more community based events.

Despite the challenges, the board members and community volunteers have accomplished a great deal:

• Master planning and refining administrative processes

• Resolution of support from the Town of Ignacio

• Engaging State, County, Experts, and other local stakeholders

• Established a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

• Launched our website to facilitate further community connection

• Locking grant funding - ICD is a proud Ballentine Foundation grant recipient, which is being used to land more funding 

Our goal for the future…

Funding remains our top priority to ensure we have the capital required to fund and scale our BOLD and exciting initiatives over the next five to ten years. However, our future remains fluid, shaped by the extraordinary community engagement and new ideas that continue.

Over the next several months

• Continue with the dozen must do’s to become an official Creative District

• Build an artist and studio roster to promote via our website

• Support relevant community ideas to the best of our ability

• Facilitate support and partnership with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, currently on Tribal Council’s agenda requesting a resolution of support. 

• Plan to create full-time leadership position(s), internship opportunities, engage consultants

• Continue to submit for further grants and identify other fundraising initiatives

The next five years

The Board believes economic growth through artistic expression is a top priority for the area. Over the next five years we seek to learn more and engage in some of the following areas:

• Community-based art projects 

• Solidify funding through various relief packages available due to COVID

• Beautification art projects aimed to improve downtown 

• Planning for projects that provide economic vitality for local businesses, generate employment opportunities, civic engagement, and pride