Immersive Programming
Observation, Experimentation and Reflection
The CVA's immersive programming reflects the unique dual assets of a university gallery as well as those of an urban contemporary arts center. We aim to engage students of all ages and demographics through observation, experimentation and reflection in response to the work in the gallery. University faculty, staff and students architect experiences that allow contemporary art to be relevant to the learner. Our highly qualified teaching apprentices lead experiential programs for adults and children and offer customized school visits. We recognize and embrace experiential learning and to that end offer an engaged space for people to develop a more rich relationship with contemporary art.
Ongoing Exhibition Programs
Each of our exhibitions extend free opportunities for adults and youth including visiting artist, faculty and student lectures and interactive gallery experiences. For additional information please visit our website.
Custom Fieldtrips and Studio Immersions
The CVA customizes visits to bridge between the objectives of a school or organization and the work exhibited in the gallery. Length, content, method and frequency of visits can be customized to suite a school or organizations interests and availability. Studio immersions in a variety of media supplement tours during longer visits.
Theory Loves Practice
A Metropolitan State University sponsored research group, Theory Loves Practice brings art educators together monthly to cultivate contemporary arts practice in our classrooms. This winter we are designing individual research questions, documenting, reflecting and illuminating our findings through beautiful installations. We aim to offer superior arts eduction to our students and to contribute to academic theory in the field of arts education.
Teaching Apprenticeships
The CVA is a proud host of teaching apprentices who have or will be graduating from MSUDenver’s Art Education program. These apprentices engage in a reflective teaching practice in a variety of programs at the CVA. Graduates from the apprentice program go on to successful careers in arts education locally as well as internationally.
Art Builds Communities (ABC)
ABC is built on the recognition that communities thrive when they share common spaces for creativity. These afterschool studio-based programs for teens, adolescents and children extend a bridge between MSUDenver and the La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood. Participants delve into 6-week explorations of contemporary art through art making in the gallery studio. Participants benefit from ABC provides disadvantaged youth with art workshops that offer access to memorable, interactive art experiences that expand life views and provide productive, after-school alternatives for children who would otherwise have little or no exposure to the arts.
In Situ – An exploration in altered landscapes and mixed media sculpture
HS Lab - Tuesdays January 15 - February 19
MS Lab - Wednesdays January 16 - February 20
Grades 3-5 - Thursdays January 17 - February - 21
Semblance - An exploration in imagined moments and printmaking
HS Lab - Tuesdays March 5 - April 9
MS Lab - Wednesdays March 6 - April 10
Grades 3-5 - Thursdays February 7 - April 11
BFA - An exploration of the path of the determined art student through a large variety of media
HS Lab - Tuesdays April 23 - May 28
MS Lab - Wednesdays April 24 - May 29
Grades 3 - 5 Thursdays April 25 - May 30
Community Partnerships
The CVA shares common goals and intitatives with diverse constituents, foremost being Metropolitan State University and community groups in the La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood that encompases the Arts District on Santa Fe.
- ACE Community Challenge Charter school
- Arts Street
- Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver
- The Bridge Project
- TRIO: Upward Bound
- VSA Colorado/Access Gallery
- West Generation Academy
- West Leadership Academy
“Arts Street is a non-profit youth program in Denver that creates opportunities for the young people of Colorado. The opportunities provided are designed to foster the inspiration and education of these youth to become tomorrow's professionals and supporting the workforce needs.” For additional information, http://www.arts-street.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is a non-profit organization that provides young people ages 6-18 with a safe and positive place to spend their time after school and in the summer. Nine neighborhood Clubs and an 80-acre residential camp provide programs that help more than 10,000 youth achieve academic success, live healthy lifestyles, and develop good character and leadership skills. Clubs are strategically located in low-income neighborhoods and are accessible to all youth for an annual membership fee of just $2. Since 1961, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has been helping kids from tough neighborhoods in the metro Denver area stay out of trouble, stay in school and succeed in life. www.bgcmd.org
The Bridge Project offers “educational opportunities for children living in Denver's public housing neighborhoods so they graduate from high school and attend college or learn a trade.” www.du.edu/bridgeproject
To Learn more, http://accessgallery.org
