Trinidad chosen for innovative artist housing project, steering committee looks at nuts and bolts of planning

by Bill Knowles
TRINIDAD — The announcement from Governor John Hickenlooper Monday July 27, 2015 at an artists’ community in Loveland will help establish a first-of-its-kind artist housing project in Trinidad. The state will help by sponsoring a $50 million dollar, eight-year plan to create the artist housing in nine rural communities.  The other eight communities have not been chosen yet.
The $50 million was put aside by Governor Hickenlooper for the project as the stateʼs portion of it.  The effort is led by the Colorado Office of Economic Developmentʼs Colorado Creative Industries, DOLA, History Colorado, Boettcher Foundation and Artspace.
“Right now the project could cost between $5 million and $10 million, but thatʼs just a guess because the amount is unknown,” said Harriet Vaugeois of the Southern Colorado Repertory Theater.  “We still have to do a feasibility study before we even can decide on the siting.”
The plan for an artists’ residence will include these criteria:  benefit to the community, the artistʼs income, the size of the gathering and meeting space.  “All of this is so that the artists can make a living at their craft,” Vaugeois said.  “Part of the idea is to be able to work with the artists so they can develop a good business plan and present it clearly to the board.”
For the past 25 years, Artspace has been built on the densely populated urban model.  This is the first time it has expanded its model into low income light density communities.  Trinidad is the first to be chosen by Artspace for its expansion into rural communities.
“The blueprint for Trinidad is unique, it will be different,” noted Vaugeois. “This will help build sustainability and resilience into the community.” The definition for artist is changing to make the idea as inclusive as possible.  “It involves all who work for the economic benefit of the area.”  This could include businesses or anyone involved with goods and services.  For example a bakery or community kitchen could be involved or any business that has been able to survive the past seven years following the Great Recession.
The task force charged with putting together the pieces is looking for a plan for a community facility that will contain living and work spaces and a communal gathering space and that will develop as a business incubator.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for Trinidad if we work hard for the next four or five years making this happen,” said Vaugeois.  “I think the governor chose wisely.”