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The project, history and purpose:
History
In 2001, City Park West Neighborhood Association organized
an arts and music festival, the City Park West Festival of the Arts. Our primary
focus was to build awareness of CPWNA, initiate communication and cooperation
throughout our neighborhood.
In 2002 we expanded the festival by extending the boundaries
of those neighborhoods involved. It was renamed the City Park Festival of the
Arts, inviting participation from the Registered Neighborhood Organizations
that surround City Park.
In 2003 an increasing number of Neighborhood Organizations
had presence in planning, operation and outreach. The City Park Festival of
the Arts was proud to have hosted a successful Mayoral Run-off Forum while increased
participation to include almost 100 exhibitors. Our two stages featured 28 sets
of music, dance, martial arts, youth groups, and spoken word. From In-Kind donations
we provided free Coke and sandwiches while 7 neighborhood Restaurants offered
meals for $5 and under.
For the young we featured a wide array of walk-around performers, the bicycle
Extreme Team and a student art show of over 200 pieces. We again had a well-attended
children's area with interactive classes - drum circles, painting, juggling
and balloon tying. The Museum of Nature and Science and Children’s Hospital
also provided interactive exhibits
In 2004 we defined our catchments area as all of North East
Denver and encouraged participation from all quarters. We remained a community
directed and neighborhood-organized event, focusing on building neighborhood
participation, increasing the cooperation and respect that brings neighborhoods
together, developing leadership, supporting the Arts, positively impacting local
businesses, and developing and sustaining our North East Denver Community’s
sense of identity and pride.
2005 welcome artists from the Sante Fe district and increased
our catchments area westerly. Offering 2 full time stages and an inaugural 'open
mic' stage, we enjoyed the participation of 120 artists and craftspeople and
18 non-profits. Our Interactive Children's Area featured additions by
The Department of Wildlife and the U. S. Forest Service.
In 2006, our traditional date was compromised by the the inaugural
year of the Colorado Colfax Marathon. We were forced to cancel but continued
to research possible dates and venues. The response and support from our participants
and guests was overwhelming and on June 12th we committed to September 9th at
East High School. For the first time in our history, we are encouraging and
accepting artists from the entire Metro-Denver area. Our focus on stimulating
a market for locally produced art has become a clearly defined responsibility.
2007. We continued to look for an available day in City Park
to no avail. We tried the Esplanade at East High School in August. We got hit
with an unseasonable 98 degree day that kept our guests running for the shade.
We had a great showing of artists and entertainment, perhaps the best yet with
participation from Sankofa, Chac, the Arts Students League and Abend and a lineup
on three stages that took my breath away, but because of the heat and lack of
shade our attendance was significantly impacted.
Why is there a need for the project?
The participation, attendance and support of the last five years have shown
the value of a community-focused event. We are a neighborhood-responsible event
large enough for a family to spend the day and have plenty of activities for
everyone while building leadership and cooperation among neighborhoods. We stimulate
participation by all levels of talent and have promoted many first time performers
and exhibitors as well as recognized and aspiring talents. Denver need a venue
to show off the talent that springs from within this area. Larger festivals
with artists from all over the city, state and country do not fill this need.
Nor do small block festivals that only have the space for a few selected artists.
Significant efforts are taken to stimulate education and motivate young people
toward development of artistic and creative skills. We hope that more than just
entertainment, we may provide a positive inspiration that will excite imaginations
and instigate community cooperation.
Benefits
The Festival’s planning meetings initiated and sustains interaction between
the neighborhood groups surrounding the park. Interaction and involvement between
these groups that share many of the same issues and concerns has increased dramatically.
Neighborhood artists of all disciplines, professional and amateur alike are
given an opportunity to showcase their talents and sell their work. Performers
have the opportunity to broaden their audience and refine their craft. The Children's
Area will provide educational interactive fun for developing minds, while the
spoken word stage will provide stimulating perspectives. Of course, those that
attend will hopefully be inspired in a myriad of dimensions.
We feel that in uniting our neighborhood to produce this event, perhaps our
greatest benefit will be the attendance and cooperation of our neighbors, and
the Denver community at large.
Success
Attendance and participation are measures of a successful Festival. We endeavor
to raise the numbers of artists/performers, volunteers and guests, and strengthen
local business community involvement. One indicator of our success will be our
ability to increase these numbers. A high percentage of return participants
will indicate lasting relationships have been established.
The final and most important determination of success is that we, the participants
and guests alike, all have a good time and look forward to participating again
next year.
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