The Longmont Council for the Arts is fiscal agent for the Colorado Center for the Arts (COCA). The goal of COCA is to create an art center in Longmont in the old High School at 9th & Main St. The Arts Center would provide much needed studio and gallery space, classroom space, a small performance venue, art organization offices and possible the future sight of a culinary school.
Mission Statement
The mission of the COCA is to develop, maintain and seek funding for the erection of a non-profit multidisciplinary cultural and performing arts facility to serve Longmont and surrounding communities; provide a broad range of creative experiences through quality arts education, exhibitions, and culturally diverse programs in performing and visual arts; unify existing art interest groups; serve as an open cultural forum to nurture cultural and artistic engagement, initiatives, and interaction; improve and diversify the quality of life for people of all ages.
Historical Background
The Committee for Cultural and Performing Arts (CCPA) was founded June 27, 2006 as a cooperative effort of a diverse group of Longmont community members. The primary goal of the CCPA is to advance and promote the cultural and performing arts in Longmont. The committee members recognized the need for more diverse opportunities for artists, arts organizations, and community members as well as an environment to unify the existing arts under one roof and create a stimulating atmosphere for interaction, performance and arts education. The committee agreed that a structured multidisciplinary arts complex could prove a viable solution.
The Vision
1. Multidisciplinary cultural arts complex: music, theatre, dance, comedy, film, entertainment, and the visual arts.
2. Site for development, exhibition, and promotion of the arts in Longmont.
3. Auditorium with state of art acoustics.
4. Central community gathering site and anchor for interaction, education, and performance.
5. Creative art entity: brand Longmont as a cultural arts community.
6. Educational teaching facility for performing and visual arts: exposure and personal growth through programming, classes, internal and outreach teaching opportunities.
7. Stimulate and promote economic revitalization to downtown historic Longmont.
8. Headquarters for diverse community art organizations and create a catalyst for partnerships.
9. Artist working, teaching and tenant space.
10. Environment for production, programming and rehearsal.
11. Central resource for art research and development.
12. Community conference and meeting center.
13. Art exhibition and gallery space.
14. Environment for diverse social and cultural gatherings.
Future Art Complex Expansion
Facility would allow for future promotion of diverse local, national and international performance troupes, off Broadway productions, music concerts (jazz, rock, classical, instrumental, world, etc.), opera, film series and festivals, photography, language, poetry, literature, art exhibitions and cultural demonstrations, visual and graphic art teaching and training, public speaking, gatherings, seminars and conventions, local and national educational programs, etc.
