North Fork Valley Creative Coalition

Background Statement

In a series of conversations called North Fork Vision 2020, citizens identified opportunities for five sectors of the community (arts, agriculture, energy, health, tourism + recreation) to come together to use their collective strengths to build a balanced and diverse economy. Following the Vision 2020 convenings in 2010, the arts sector continued to meet regularly, and so the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition was born.

The North Fork Valley Creative Coalition, Inc. incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the state of Colorado in early 2012. During this time, the NFVCC was invited by Colorado Creative Industries to apply for the Colorado Creative District program. In May 2012, the North Fork Valley Creative District came to life. As an emerging Creative District, the NFV received funding and technical assistance resources to develop the organization, capacity, brand and identity. The NFVCC hired its rst staff person and completed its first Strategic Plan in March 2013. In June 2013, the North Fork Valley was designated a Certified Creative District. The NFVCC completed its By Laws and received IRS 501(c)3 status in August 2014.

At present, the NFVCC continues to develop its identity, membership, programs, partnerships, influence and economic impact.

In 2018, The NFVCC continued to develop its identity, membership, programs, partnerships, influence and economic impact. The NFVCC faced challenges in managing a tri-town Creative District. Each town has their own specific needs and resource deficits. Also, Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) changed the guidelines for what constitutes a Creative District. According to CCI, Creative Districts must “comprise a geographically contiguous area.” The new distinction and the need to recertify in 2018, made it clear that the North Fork Valley Creative District must shrink its geographic boundaries and rebrand as the Paonia Creative District.

Since the rebranding in 2018, the Paonia Creative District continues to represent the best of arts and culture in the NFV and has served as a successful model for the other towns of Delta County. The NFVCC has developed Paonia’s downtown as a vibrant hub through creative placemaking, wayfinding and signage, events, and programming. The last several years have seen a more bustling downtown with new businesses, workspaces, boutiques, and galleries, as well as individual artists moving and making their homes here.

NFVCC has refined our signature events, while membership has gradually increased. The NFVCC continues to work on community outreach, collaborations with other nonprofits, and additional member services. With the dissolution of a local nonprofit in 2022, the NFVCC took over Mountain Harvest Festival, a big legacy event in Paonia that is a locals’ favorite and large tourist draw. This important event highlights local musicians, performers, artists, artisans, winemakers, and farmers while drawing attention to the Paonia Creative District and Delta County as a whole.

In its eleventh year operating, the NFVCC has gained recognition as a strong organization that people want to work with and be a part of. While increasing outreach and information-gathering, the NFVCC has been meeting with local groups, such as Senior Connections, to glean what arts and culture projects community members want to see. It is a very exciting time of growth for the NFVCC and the Paonia Creative District.