Steamboat Creates

Steamboat Creates passionately nurtures the arts so creativity flourishes in Northwest Colorado, creating a community for established, emerging, student and youth. We embrace all artists including: visual artists & performers, musicians, authors, filmmakers, designers and cultural organizations.

Since 1972 Steamboat Creates has welcome a steady flow of visitors and users to the Depot Art Center. Activating the historic Depot year-round with 5,200 adult students, 5,900 art exhibit visitors & workshop participants; 520 Young at Art Summer Campers and 12,000 Special Events visitors, not to mention the people who wander into the depot and caboose. This rare community treasure stands proudly on 13th street between the mighty Yampa River and the railroad.

Our advocacy efforts for the community have resulted in a vibrant creative community:

• Steamboat Springs has been ranked #2 and #3 in the NATION for arts vibrancy in small-sized communities over the last 4 years (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, SMU DataArts, Creative Vitality Index - populations under 50K people). 
• Steamboat Creates obtained and manages the state certification for Steamboat Springs to continue as one of 30 communities receiving the coveted Colorado Creative District certification (Colorado Creative Industries). 
• Steamboat Creates has been a strong leader in promoting the arts in Steamboat Springs and collaborates with 30  arts and cultural organizations, 100+ creative entrepreneurs, teachers and creative businesses in our community. We are a resource for education, support and inspiration for over 150 working artists in the Yampa Valley, driving our town's creative economy.

Testimonials:

"... I firmly believe that diversity in Steamboat’s economy and social experience is imperative for our long-term growth, and Steamboat Creates is providing a substantial portion of that diversity. Your efforts are noticeable everywhere. You are providing amazing experiential and educational opportunities for our kids with summer camps, providing colorful artistic “flair” around Steamboat with murals and sidewalk art, leadership with our beloved public art collection, entertaining events, creative districts, artisan train caboose studio, etc. etc. etc. I just think you are crushing it and Steamboat reaps the benefit of creativity, diversity and social experience that helps to distinguish us from the rest."  -Todd, Supporter

We are very proud of the work this organization has been doing since 1972. We cultivate collaborations among all the arts in the Yampa Valley, encouraging emerging artists to show in our monthly exhibitions. Greg Block, a nationally known painter, had his first show in the Routt County Youth Art Exhibit at the Depot as a high school senior in 2004. Many artists and participants report that showing as a youth and/or emerging artists in a professional environment encourages personal growth and participation in the arts. 

"One of the best things about Young At Art camps is the chance to be challenged." -YAA Parent

The annual writers' group continues to exhibit strength and stability with a very high percentage of authors going on to publish their works, as well as fine tuning personal essays and memoirs that encourage personal growth and exploration. The Written Art program offers valuable cultural and historical resources linking our heritage to the Yampa Valley communities at large. One memoir work shopped in the group was donated to our local museum and has become a valuable contribution to the history of the Yampa Valley. The members of the writer's group have supported many young people who have gone on to college to major in writing and literature. The group hosts writing and poetry presentations and does community outreach through school visits.

“Now look, those two girls right there, they look like they know where they’re going, so, you just follow them. You can do this.” —Barbara Sparks' quote from the book she is workshopping in the weekly Writers' Group