Artists Amongst Us Inc

Something extraordinary is taking shape in Colorado.

Artists Amongst Us is a women led Denver nonprofit organization that brings artists together, across cultures, to create, develop, and share original performing arts experiences in Colorado. We cultivate artistic excellence by providing opportunities for artists to collaborate, amplify diverse voices, and deepen human connection.  

Since 2022, Founder and Artistic Director Cynthia Giannini and Creative Director Noa Shapira have hosted 20 salons in Denver's RiNo Arts District. They have brought together close to 100 dancers, musicians, choreographers, composers, filmmakers, visual artists and storytellers, and paid them for their work. Our flagship production in the works,  presented a concept show of Sol y Luna at the Ellie Caulkins in winter 2024. 

Artists Amongst Us Programming

Artists Amongst Us has been creating a new home for bold, intimate and exceptional live performance, bringing extraordinary artists together across cultures, generations and artistic disciplines. We believe that some of the most exciting new work begins not on a large stage, but in a room where artists and audiences can experience the creative process together.

1. Salons: Big work starts in a small room. Our salons give artists the time and space to experiment and collaborate across cultures, generations and disciplines. They give audiences something rare: a seat inside the creative process, not just the finished show. 

Through our intimate salon model, we change the way in which audiences engage with live performance. We invite the community to take an active role by arriving early, get to know the artists, and staying for a Q&A after the show. 

2. Original productions: Artists Amongst Us has been a home for the development of multiple original full-length productions. First is Sol y Luna: A Tango Love Story, now being developed between Denver and Buenos Aires. It brings original music, dance, theatre and contemporary storytelling together in a new full-length tango production. 

Second is “Themis the Goddess of Justice” an original musical, being developed through our salons. This bold production reimagines Themis, goddess of divine justice in today’s world - where questions of equity, gender, and power still demand urgent attention.

3. Spaghetti Night: Artists Amongst Us’ low-stakes, high-creativity gathering for artists, makers, performers, and curious creative humans. Ones a month, Artists gather and bring something they're working on, test out new material, get feedback, meet potential collaborators, or simply come see what other Colorado artists are cooking up.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to artistic excellence, human connection and the power of artists to tell stories that cross borders.

What your gift does
Our goal this season is $85,000, and it funds:

• 65% Artist fees: paid work for Colorado and international artists, including film and media

• 19% Rehearsal and performance space

• 16% Organizational and Administration 

These works are part of a larger vision.

We are building an artistic ecosystem in Colorado.

One where international artists collaborate with Colorado artists.
Where emerging voices are given meaningful opportunities.
Where immigrant and multicultural perspectives are heard and celebrated.
Where artists are paid for their work.
Where audiences experience extraordinary performance up close.
And where ambitious new productions can be born in Denver and ultimately travel far beyond it.

This is only the beginning.

When you give to Artists Amongst Us, you’re not simply supporting another performance.

You’re helping build the place where the next one is born.