The mission of Creede Center for the Arts is to offer art, perspectives on nature, and communal experiences that enhance the lives of residents, attract new visitors, and drive economic growth in the historic city of Creede, Colorado.
The vision for the Center, inspired by that of its founder, local artist Stephen Quiller, is to carry out this mission in a place that melds art, nature, and community; where work of regional artists is exhibited alongside artists of international renown; where people can gather to experience a sense of place, togetherness, and community; where arts education from elementary school through adult life can spark creativity; and where the breadth of cultural life in Creede can find a home, driving growth and local economic development.
What the stakeholders are saying
“The future of mountain towns is outdoor recreation, quality restaurants, and the arts!”
~ John Hickenlooper, US Senator & former Governor of Colorado
In early 2025, Creede Center for the Arts acquired the former school property in Creede. Preserving the history of the building, adding modern features, creating unique exhibition spaces, and adapting classrooms — Creede Center for the Arts will offer artistic experiences to be enjoyed by locals and visitors.
When complete, Creede Center for the Arts will be home to a collection of watercolor works unlike any other, displaying a significant portion of Quiller’s many decades of work, as well as that of local and renowned artists across the globe – the first of its kind in our nation. The 16,000 sq ft Center space will also support artists in residence and staff for the nonprofit.
- The new Creede Center for the Arts will:
- Build upon Creede’s long tradition of adaptation, growth, and innovation, and most importantly — assist in developing arts institutions as an economic engine.
- Be more than a museum but a communal space with arts opportunities for all ages.
- Assist in moving Creede and Mineral County towards a year-round economy by promoting regional and international tourism, including a new subset of tourists: watercolor enthusiasts for whom the new Center is the primary reason for visiting the area.
- Assist in increasing the quality of life and economic opportunity for local residents and business owners.
- Inside and out, the building will be anchored to local history, geology, and nature.
- A conceptual estimate, which remains subject to revision, estimates the capital project at 5.1 million, an amount that includes construction costs plus material and labor escalation and a location cost factor of 15%-20%
- Operating the facility will require a budget of $244,950 for start-up that gradually increases from opening in Year 1 through Year 5. A five-year operating budget (revenue and expense) is provided in the financial section.
- A Feasibility Study was executed by CCS Fundraising (Community Counselling Service Co.) in 2022 that tested the ability to fundraise for the estimated project total.
- In 2023, the Center executed an Economic Impact Study with Pioneer Development, which quantitatively estimated the Center's economic benefits to the community and region.