FolkWest receives Colorado Creative Industries grant

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Special to The SUN

Colorado Creative Industries has announced recipients for the 2013-2014 Colorado Creates grant program, with FolkWest included among the recipients.

A total of 150 grants were awarded in 26 counties across the state totaling $1,125,000, with over 50 percent of grant funds awarded in towns and cities located outside the Denver metro area.

FolkWest Inc., which produces Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass, the Four Corners Folk Festival and Pagosa Bluegrass Camps, was the sole grant recipient for Archuleta County, receiving $8,500 to support its activities in 2014.

The notification came just weeks after state Sen. Ellen Roberts was on hand at the 18th annual Four Corners Folk Festival to publicly acknowledge the importance of arts activities to economic development and cultural tourism in Colorado. The award is the maximum amount FolkWest could have received, based on the size of its 2014 budget.

Colorado Creates is Colorado Creative Industries’ largest grant program, providing critical financial support that helps nonprofit cultural organizations and government agencies produce and present arts and cultural activities, bringing jobs to their communities and enhancing their quality of life. Grants are awarded annually on a competitive basis and provide a seal of excellence that helps organizations leverage local and national funds.

“These grants support the artists and creative entrepreneurs who are critical to Colorado’s economy,” said Margaret Hunt, director of Colorado Creative Industries. “There are over 186,000 jobs in our state’s creative sector, making it the fifth largest employment cluster. By investing in this sector’s vitality, the state builds its reputation as a premier creative hub and reaps significant economic returns.”

The grant awards are for activities that take place between Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2014.