Weehawken Creative Arts

A nonprofit organization
Fundraise

54% complete

$12,000 Goal

Weehawken has five major areas of interest with regard to funding right now:
1) Funding scholarships for youth for all youth program areas (from after school art to dance)

2) Funding for the acquisition of costumes for the dance program

3) Funding for the development of a tuition-free youth theater program

4) Funding for our Montrose Classroom Improvements:  Fixed Mirrors on Apex and Omni Room walls (appx $12,000)

5) Funding to help us complete our purchase of 145 N. Cora Street Classroom Space.  Total Cost $300K.  $100k achieved.  $200k to go.

Testimonials

It is with sincere hearts that we express our support for Weehawken Creative Arts.

We have three children participating in Weehawken Creative Arts classes and productions. Our eight-year-old daughter is studying ballet with Weehawken Dance and has enthusiastically done so for the past three years. Our two boys, aged eleven and ten, have advanced to green belts in the mixed-age karate classes available through Weehawken. They have also participated in several theater productions over the past year, which have proven to be the highlight of their Weehawken experience.

The theater productions encompassed works of classic literature (several Shakespeare plays, The Hobbit, and The Jungle Book), which required memorization of hundreds of lines of the authors' original language. In only four weeks, meeting for eight to ten hours a week, the children became enthralled with these classic works of literature and memorized their lines with gusto. The immediate results of these theater classes were energetic, creative, and entertaining productions enjoyed by community members, families, and folks from far-flung distances. The lasting results for our children were new friendships, strengthened character, familiarity with classic works of literature, a heightened desire to study theater, and a realization of support and excitement for the youth in our community. The theater program at Weehawken Creative Arts is a true gift and one that we wholeheartedly support the expansion of.

We have witnessed our children blossom in unforeseen ways because of the experiences they have had through Weehawken Creative Arts. They've gained self confidence; self-awareness; a burgeoning love for classic works of literature; an ever-expanding knowledge of theater, dance, and functional movement; and have developed friendships with children with whom they'd otherwise not have had the opportunity to do so. Bridging the distance between rural communities is a particular strength of Weehawken Creative Arts. The instructors are skilled and genuine in their love for art and for their communities. Folks will happily drive long distances, in oftentimes-dangerous road conditions, to ensure their children (or they themselves) can participate in the many dynamic offerings of this structured, inclusive, and creative organization.

The continued sustainment and/or expansion of Weehawken Creative Arts would be an undeniable asset to our community and surrounding communities. In an age of ever-increasing isolation among our nation's youth, Weehawken stands as a beacon of light to bring children and families closer to one another. Stretching across several counties and rural communities, they give children and adults a first class fine arts experience encompassing theater, art, dance, poetry, music, and more. One of the aspects we most appreciate about this organization is their inclusive mission, welcoming folks from all socioeconomic statuses, genders, races, and skill levels. Rural communities are formed by a colorful patchwork of personalities and skillsets. We have seen Weehawken consistently celebrate that fact through their course offerings and productions, making sure everyone who has a desire to participate is given the opportunity to do so. This is an organization that deeply richens the lives of not only those who participate, but also those of entire communities.

In closing, we cannot speak highly enough of Weehawken Creative Arts. Their contribution to our world is invaluable and ever so worthy of contemplation for this grant. Thank you for your time and consideration and please feel free to contact us should you have further questions.

Very truly yours:
Patrick and Ashley Unverferth

Mission

The Mission of Weehawken Creative Arts is to provide high-quality arts education, personal growth programs, and cultural events for our communities year round.

Background Statement

Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) was established in 2004 with an original goal of economic development for Ouray County through the arts. We gathered strong initial community support which has been consistently demonstrated (and grown) by locals and visitors alike each year.

Unique to WCA, is the fact that the organization has never put an emphasis on location. Classrooms have historically been rented, not owned, which has allowed for the organization to shift and evolve with time. Weehawken has moved multiple times and the community has learned to arrive to the program wherever we tell them to go.

Initially, Weehawken used facilities and spaces that already existed in the community and offered programs in buildings throughout Ouray County (including vacant office spaces, community centers, member's homes, churches, schools, and libraries). Today, due to the volume of programming, Weehawken leases a large classroom (mostly for dance) in Ridgway full-time. Weehawken operates a retail gallery that features local artists in Ridgway called The 610 Arts Collective in partnership with The Sherbino. Weehawken also has three classroom spaces in partnership with MRD for programs in Montrose. In Ouray, Weehawken has a partnership with the school and rents classroom spaces by the hour in a number of locations. In Silverton, our programs take place through a school partnership.

This facility philosophy has allowed the organization to focus on the development of programming rather than the bricks and mortar. Further, this has allowed the facilities and programs to be fluid, based on demand. The public knows: Weehawken is an arts program, not a place.

In 2022, our organization became increasingly alarmed at the dramatically rising cost of real estate in the county and began exploring purchase options in Ridgway and Ouray. In early 2023, WCA acquired a classroom (with adjacent long-term square footage and land) in a 50/50 partnership with The Sherbino. The building at 145 N. Cora is secure in the hands of the nonprofits, but the debt does need to be paid-down in the near future.

Through our nearly 20 years, the communities and program options have evolved. Ridgway is now a thriving Creative District with a public art program and Space to Create project in the heart of downtown. The Wright Opera House (which was originally leased privately by WCA) has been purchased and refurbished by a commnity nonprofit. The Sherbino was rescued by a group of citizens and not only preserved as an arts space for our communities, but is activating over 100 programs annually. There are now ten regional arts organizations in the area. Weehawken's significant expansion of services, especially to youth and families in Montrose has shifted the original intent of the economic development for Ouray County goal to some degree. In WCA's early days, we focused on bringing adult students from out of the area to Ouray County for a class with a nationally well-known instructor. These days, we target our programs to a regional audience with mostly-regional (or at least 4-Corners Region) instructors.

Rather than acting as a lure for tourists, Weehawken is actively engaged in acting as an anchor for citizen retention and a sense of value and pride for each community. Further, Weehawken serves as bridge between communities, tying the region together. Because they value the quality of our programs, families and individuals will travel to participate whether the class is in Ouray, Ridgway, Montrose, or even Silverton!

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Weehawken Creative Arts

other names

WCA

Year Established

2004

Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Organization Size

Medium Organization

Address

610 Arts Collective, 610 Clinton Street PO Box 734
Ridgway, CO 81432

Headquarters

PO Box 734 610 Clinton Street
Ridgway, CO 81432

Mailing

PO Box 734 Ridgway
Ridgway, CO 81432

Colorado Location

25 Colorado Avenue
Montrose, CO 80401

Colorado Location

421 Main Street Ouray
Ouray, CO 81427

Colorado Location

1160 Snowden Silverton
Silverton, CO 81433

Colorado Location

1075 Sherman St 201
Ridgway, CO 81432

Colorado Location

145 N. Cora Street
Ridgway, CO 81432

Colorado Location

1309 Mayfly Drive
Montrose, CO 81401

Colorado Location

400 7th Ave
Ouray , CO 81427

Colorado Location

HYPOXIA: 1900 Hwy 550 Uncompahgre National
Ouray, CO 81427

Service areas

Ouray County, CO, US

Jefferson County, CO, US

San Juan County, CO, US

Phone

970-318-0150

other

970-318-0308

Email

questions@weehawkenarts.org

Website

https://weehawkenarts.org/

Social Media