National Arts & Humanities Month 2025
Shining a Light on the Arts
October is National Arts & Humanities Month (NAHM)—also known as Artober.
The purpose of this month-long celebration of the arts is to focus on equitable access to the arts, to encourage participation in the arts, to invite governments and businesses to show their support for the arts and to raise awareness about the positive impact of the arts in our communities.
Since these goals are at the core of the Greeley Creative District’s mission, we want to celebrate Artober this year by sharing our story.
The Greeley Creative District’s Story
We want to reflect on why we first formed, who we are today and what we hope to build in the community moving forward so that you might feel inspired to join us!
Why Was The Greeley Creative District Formed?
The Greeley Creative District (GCD) was first founded by a group of community members who were:
Passionate about the arts
Committed to seeing Greeley businesses thrive
Seeking ways to celebrate the unique cultural identity of Greeley
“It [the GCD] is a cause I believe in. Communities have been revitalized by artists for centuries. Areas get run down. Artists move into affordable territory. They beautify and make the area ‘cool’ with visual art, concerts and other attractions.”
— Colette Pitcher, GCD Cofounder/Former Board Member & Owner of Showcase Art Center
The Arts, Creativity & Connection
The GCD founders believed that the arts draw out the inherent creativity in all people enabling us to express ourselves more fully and empathize more deeply, forging a more compassionate and rich community.
What Is the Greeley Creative District?
What is a District?
A district is an area of a country or city, typically established or recognized by a government entity or by voters. Some have formal statutory and even taxing powers or a financial purpose. Others are set up for geographic or marketplace promotion or identification. All have a specific focus and purpose. Some examples include: Library District, Downtown District, Water District, School District or Ambulance District.
What is a Creative District?
Colorado is recognized as a premier creative hub. It ranks number 1 in the percentage of residents who perform or create artworks (National Endowment for the Arts' Participation Study). To reinforce this creative identity, the state initiated the Colorado Creative Districts program to certify communities that contribute to our state’s economy through creativity, culture and the arts. The program’s goal is to help communities increase jobs, incomes and investments in creative places.
Colorado Creative Districts attract artists and creative entrepreneurs to a community, infusing new energy and innovation, which in turn enhances the economic and civic capital of the community. Districts also serve as a focal point for celebrating and strengthening a community’s unique identity. They become a space to showcase cultural and artistic organizations and events, contributing to the development of healthy communities.
Creative Districts must go through a rigorous application and process in order to become certified and must continue to meet certain requirements to maintain certification. Once certified, Creative Districts are then eligible for grants, opportunities and other support from the state.
This map shows the physical boundaries of the Greeley Creative District which is a composite of the Downtown Development Authority and the University of Northern Colorado District boundaries.
Greeley’s Creative District
In 2012, the GCD was first recognized by City Council as a geographic area characterized by its concentration of creative entities, activities and individuals.
In 2013, the GCD became a nonprofit organization led by a volunteer board focused on fostering creativity, culture and the arts within the City Council’s recognized District.
In 2014, the GCD became one of 12 communities originally designated by the state as a Colorado Creative District. Our district encompasses the Downtown Development Authority (DDA or Downtown Greeley) and the University of Northern Colorado District.
It contains numerous creative businesses, organizations and works, including but not limited to: Union Colony Civic Center, Tointon Gallery, Uptown Trees and many public art pieces owned by the City, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Greeley Stampede Troupe, LINC Library Innovation Center, Wonderhand Studios, Moxi Theater, Greeley History Museum, Makers Mercantile & Studio, The Ambry, Showcase Art Center, The Ginger Cat and Madison & Main Gallery.
Today, the GCD is one of 30 certified districts in Colorado. We are currently developing a physical Creative Center that will open in 2026 in order to expand our programming and services for creatives in Greeley.
Who is The Greeley Creative District?
Pam Bricker, Greeley CreativeDistrict Cofounder & Board Member
A Distinct Nonprofit In Greeley
The GCD is often confused or conflated with the City of Greeley and the Downtown Development Authority (Downtown Greeley or DDA), partially because we collaborate closely with these organizations and partially because our founders have ties to them.
“I met Becky Safarik when she was with the City of Greeley and I was the Director of the Downtown Development Authority in Greeley. We just clicked. We were always talking about the ‘creatives’ in our community and what they were doing. Becky and I attended many meetings in a variety of communities in Colorado over the years, some also had Creative Districts, and it made us want to establish one in Greeley.”
— Pam Bricker, GCD Cofounder & Board Member
As a separate nonprofit organization, the GCD has a unique mission. Likewise our resources and staff are not supplied by the City or the DDA. We rely on grants and donations to sustain our operation and to fulfill the mission set forth by our volunteer led board.
Greeley Creative District Board MEMBERS
GCD board members are carefully selected to represent the Creative District and the Greeley community with the following stated goals:
Balanced representation from GCD Charter Partners (City, UNC & DDA)
Continuity of leadership
Representative of Greeley demographics and the community
Representative of the diversity of the Greeley Creative Community
Currently we have writers, dancers, painters, designers, directors, entrepreneurs, City leaders, UNC faculty and High Plains Library staff among our ranks guiding the work of the GCD.
“Being in Greeley at such an interesting time in its evolution, I wanted to be a part of both ushering in new growth while making sure the soul of the city shines brighter, too. The creatives, the artists, the dreamers, the crafters, the storytellers—the people who bring something of the human spirit to life for us—are such a vital component among any group of people. They have a way of connecting the intangible to the tangible, and that will always be worth preserving, supporting and activating. Creative energy will always seem like a nice-to-have until you don’t have it anymore.”
— Winna Ironkwe, GCD Board Co-Vice President & Director of Communications & Engagement for the City of Greeley speaking on why she wanted to serve on the board“I've learned so much about the creative businesses and other artists that practice outside my own area of expertise [while serving on the GCD Board]. Not only has that been really interesting on a personal level, but it's helped educate me on the needs of the broad spectrum of creative industries so that I know more about how to support the growth of those industries in our city—both within the physical footprint of the the Greeley Creative District and beyond.”
— Shelly Gaza, GCD Board Co-Vice President & Professor of Acting School of Theatre Arts and Dance College of Performing and Visual Arts UNC
GH Phipps Contractors stand with GCD Executive Director, Becca Vaclavik, GCD Board President Becky Safarik & GCD Programs & Events Manager, Jason Evenson in front of the GCD’s new Creative Center.
Greeley Creative District Staff
Wearing many hats, the work of the GCD is carried out by three staff members:
Full-time Executive Director, Becca Vaclavik was hired earlier this year as the GCD’s first full-time employee. With a background in theatre and an MS in organizational leadership, she is eager to guide the organization through this season of growth toward financial sustainability as we establish a Creative Center in Greeley.
Part-time Programs & Events Manager, Jason Evenson brings his experience as a former GCD Board Member and GCD Executive Director, along with his background leading the City’s Culture Department, as he works to build a new Creative Membership Program and plan the occupancy for our emerging Creative Center.
Part-time Marketing Manager, Dana Buckingham was hired in 2022 as the organization’s first employee. With a background in fine art, arts education, design and project management, she has worked to bolster the GCD’s communications (on social media, in our newsletter and on our website) to shine a light on the many artists, creatives, businesses and organizations that make the GCD so vibrant.
What Does the Greeley Creative District Do as An Organization?
The GCD shines a light on the arts in Greeley by:
Highlighting arts-centered news, events and opportunities
Hosting events that showcase local talent and offer opportunities for creatives
Fostering meaningful connections for creatives and community members through the arts
Celebrating the unique cultural identity of our community
Greeley Creative District Events
Día de Los Muertos
We host a free community celebration to honor this important holiday. The event includes live entertainment, food and an art show featuring local artists.
Youth Arts Month
We facilitate this spectacular event which showcases artwork throughout downtown Greeley created by hundreds of K-12 students attending local schools.
Do Tell!
We coach speakers and empower them to share their stories at our live storytelling event, spotlighting the diversity and unique experiences of local community members.
Cacophony of Creatives
We host networking events for creatives to connect and learn from the expertise and experiences of practitioners working in the arts.
Winterfest
In collaboration with the DDA and the City of Greeley, we help promote holiday fun in Downtown Greeley!
A Few Collaborative Initiatives Over The Years
2015 Chalk-A-Lot
The GCD spearheaded this community art initiative that successfully broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chalk pavement art in 2015. The event, held at the University of Northern Colorado, involved over 3,500 community members who created a 3.55-mile-long chalk drawing themed "Celebrating Nature". It took volunteers more than nine months to plan.
2020 Time Capsule Project
The GCD decided to enlist the imagination and perspectives of the Greeley creative community to help reflect upon the COVID pandemic, offer perspective or interpretation of this period and offer a message to the future. This treasure of experiences, artwork, essays and materials has been bundled into a time capsule at the LINC Library Innovation Center to be opened in 2070.
2023 Party For The Poudre
This partnership with the Poudre River Trail reflected the unique relationship between art and open space. The event brought together artists, musicians and performers to raise funds for both nonprofit organizations.
Hip Hop Madness
In partnership with the High Plains Library District (who launched the event), the GCD helped this dynamic community dance project grow into an annual event by providing sponsorship and a micro-grant. Now, Hip Hop Madness is proudly hosted by the Colorado Dance Collective.
Bears in The BackYard
Local authors and researchers penned this book about how Greeley and the University grew up together in the area that now encompasses the GCD. It is a blend of historic records, research, interviews, oral histories and photos.
Space to Create
The Historic Macy-Allnut Building & soon-to-be Greeley Creative Arts Center (GCAC)
Greeley Creative Arts Center
As you may have seen in local press, the Greeley Creative District recently acquired the historic Macy-Allnut building in downtown Greeley. Empowered by the generous support of founding donors, we plan to transform the space into the Greeley Creative Arts Center (GCAC). It will be both a physical base of operations for the GCD organization and a hub for creatives to gather, access resources and enrich the broader community.
“We’ve long imagined establishing a place where everyone in our community can engage their creative interests, expand their talents and success and explore new ways to problem solve and interpret our world imaginatively.” — Becky Safarik, GCD Cofounder & Current Board President
Situated in the middle of the Greeley Creative District, the GCAC will strengthen the emerging creative corridor between UNC and Downtown Greeley and will catalyze new growth in the area. We have begun phase one of the renovation process to enable a partial opening of the building in February of 2026.
Membership & Programming
With input from the community (please weigh through our survey if you haven’t already), we are working on setting up a membership program for local creatives to utilize the space. Though the program is still under development, we are excited to share a few features that have been determined.
Membership with the Greeley Creative Arts Center will grant:
Access to shared workspace, equipment and our resource library
Admittance to exclusive members only events and opportunities
Visibility and promotion through the GCD’s communication channels
The opportunity to apply for retail space or exhibitions at the GCAC
There will be several membership tiers to support organizations, entrepreneurs/professionals, hobbyists, students and youth. We want the space to be versatile, inviting and inclusive with features suited to a range of disciplines, skill-levels and pursuits.
If you would like become a member or receive more information about membership as we finalize the program, please sign up for a free account through our Wild Apricot member portal.
Follow us on:
Facebook (@GreeleyCreativeDistrict) &
Instagram (@GreeleyCreativeDistrict)
and check back here for updates throughout October!
Enjoy Past Features
Artober 2024
Artober 2023
Artober 2022