Who We Are & What We Do


Imagine…
Squeeze your eyes shut and imagine a community brimming with the arts in its schools, in neighborhood centers, in shopping malls and parks. Music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, folk art, literature. People using their imaginations and people applauding the imaginations of others.

Now, open your eyes and watch the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration (KCIC) at Colorado Springs bring this image to life! Since 1986, the Imagination Celebration has produced, presented and promoted programs that have nourished, educated, and entertained thousands and thousands of children, teens and adults. Come join us!

Why?
Because there is more to life than tests, work and video games. The arts help us to discover new worlds, understand each other and explore our own creativity. The arts encourage children to love learning, to develop a strong sense of self, and to "think outside the box." The arts are for everybody! That's why we send artists into schools, make year-round programs free or low cost, and stretch beyond the usual to serve the community with diverse programming for a variety of audiences and age levels.

How?
During the past 17 years, the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration has forged partnerships with arts and cultural organizations (local, regional, and national), schools, businesses, and government agencies with a common cause to ensure that every child grows up rich in the creative experiences of the arts. Our region has a wealth of talent - sometimes it just needs a showcase or an opportunity to bloom.

When? All Year Long!

In addition to the Spring Festival of the Arts - a calendar-cramming festival of performing arts events, art exhibits, workshops, competitions and school activities - the Imagination Celebration is busy year round organizing, producing and presenting enriching content: a family theater season, workshops for educators, creative and educational activities in schools, libraries and at our new creativity space, "Celebration Place" at The Citadel.

Who makes it possible?
Imagination Celebration would not be possible without the help of generous businesses, foundations and individuals. The following have provided major support to Imagination Celebration during 2004-2005.

  • Seven Underwriters: ABC Bank, The Citadel, Colorado Council on the Arts, Gazette Charities, Lockheed Martin, Pikes Peak Library District, and Wendy’s of Colorado Springs Inc.,

  • Media Sponsors: KRDO News 13/The Peak 95.1, The Gazette/ColoradoSprings.com.

  • Additional Major Funders: Anna Keesling Ackerman Trust, Bee Vradenburg Foundation, Guy Bennett/Agents for the Arts, Binney & Smith, Inc., Colorado Council on the Arts, Current USA Inc., Edmondson Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Francis, Gay and Lesbian Fund, John Grossman and Kathleen O’Neil, John F. Kennedy Center, The Marson Foundation, Myron Stratton Home Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Nutrition Camp Foundation, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Performance Company, Ruby’s Diner, Target Stores, T. Rowe Price, US Bank, Wal-Mart and Wells Fargo.

  • A 75-member Steering Committee of arts organizations, cultural institutions and com-munity leaders that meets year round.


  • A128-member Working Committee of school Mini-Sites, Crayola® Dream-Makers, Outpost Sites, and Alumni-Sites. This group brings together teachers, principals and parents with community volunteers and organi-zations to focus on the arts and education.

  • Rick Holland, owner of Wendy’s of Colorado Springs, who has donated free office space to Imagination Celebration for the sixth year.

  • The Macerich Company, who continues to donate free space in The Citadel for "Celebration Place."

  • Current USA Inc., who underwrote and produced another Michael Hague Imagination Celebration dragon poster (the 16th in the series)

  • Thousands of volunteers who help in schools and at public events, including volunteers from Bank of America and Colorado Springs Utilities.

 

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