Dandelion Arts Collective

Dandelion Arts Collective is an arts-in-public-health nonprofit that partners with social service organizations, libraries, government agencies, schools, and community centers across Colorado to increase health equity through performing arts education and practices. We provide arts residencies, creative workshops, interactive presentation and performances, and arts and health education for communities across the Front Range of Colorado. Our goal is to reduce health injustices and increase protective factors against them, particularly for communities targeted by structural inequities. We believe in the power of arts in public health to improve social connections, well-being, and advance health data and public health awareness.

We are a collective of artists, activists, and creatives serving Colorado families, children, young people, and adults across Northern Colorado and the North Denver Metro area through 100% mobile programming. 

We believe that the arts have the power to inspire positive change and to bring people together across differences. We partner with over forty local organizations to create arts and health events specific to the self-determined objectives of a community. Our partners include Imagine! Colorado, City of Longmont, City of Loveland, St Vrain Valley School District, Wild Plum Head Start, WOW Children’s Museum, Havenridge, FRIENDS of Broomfield, regional libraries, environmental organizations, and more! Through these partnerships, we are collectively envisioning a future where the arts are at the center of a more just and equitable society. 

Your Donation Supports:

• Over 600 annual programs that support the social, emotional, and physical well-being of communities impacted by structural inequities

• Public health and arts programs focused on early childhood development, youth mental health, and environmental stewardship

• Inclusive, holistic, shame-free health and sexuality education for individuals of all ages

• Year round theatre, music, and movement programs for disabled youth and adults

• Support and expansion of our team of qualified and caring arts & health practitioners

In Their Words:

"I liked how it made me feel big!" 

"My son is generalizing what he learns [about body safety and boundaries] to everyday moments with peers, our family, and others.”

“I like how we moved, it made me feel happy."

“Each performance is, from the outside, funny and one for the books. But behind the performance is a loving, sensory friendly, and giving group of individuals. You can’t measure talent by how someone communicates or by how complete someone’s sentences are. Imagine! Off Script reminds me that anyone can be an actor or actress.”

"The creative movement sessions provided our family a unique opportunity to bond outside the home."

Our Impact:

Since our founding in 2023 we have reached
9000+ community members
23000+ participant engagements
1600+ programs focused on:
- Youth mental health
- Early childhood development
- Environmental stewardship
- Performing arts and disability
- Comprehensive, shame-free sexuality education
- Artistic activism for civic engagement, social justice, and advocacy

Our Reach:

-70% of our programs and events have been free to participants. Both sliding scale and scholarship funding are offered for tuition-based programs

- Over 78% of our programming serves children and/or people living with (dis)ability/ physical/neurological diversity

- Over 46% of our programming serves communities receiving social service supports

- Over 64% of our programming serves multilingual communities

- We reach infants to elders across Boulder, Broomfield, Weld, Larimer, Adams, and Jefferson County

- Program feedback has shown consistent increase in participants’ joy, self confidence, social emotional learning, and health knowledge and skills.

Examples of Ongoing Projects Include:

- Off Script: A multi-week collaborative performing arts and theatre project with Imagine of Lafayette's Adult and School Age Service Disability programs to create and perform originally devised theater works while supporting life skill development and amplifying disabled voices of our community.

-  Spark! Discovery Preschool Performing Arts Programs: A year round public preschool program in Weld County offering multi-week drama/theater, dance/fitness, and intergenerational family arts programs to over 250 children to support early childhood development, social emotional learning, self-efficacy, and community level health.

- Longmont Water Fair: An annual arts and science festival bringing together scientists, government agencies, artists, cultural ambassadors and youth to increase education on our local watershed through hands-on science activities, art projects, live performances, and engagement with local water leaders.