Co-Director: Caitlin Connaughton-Cross
After School Arts Program
Caitlin juggles the schedules of some of Durango's most talented people, the artists who create each month's innovative after school offerings. Check the After School page in late August for classes that range from the whimsical to the sublime - from kaleidoscopes and jewelry to sculptures and collages - it's all about having fun.

    
"Scholarships are always available. As parents and a community, it's our joyful responsibility to bring everyday arts experiences to all our children."

Co-Director: Denise Hagemeister
APPLAUSE Program Director
In 1999, Denise left Fort Collins to accompany husband Paul to Durango, she left behind The Colorado Academy of the Arts, her thriving production company for young people. A new "day job" as Finance and Facilities Director of the Durango Arts Center brought her into the heart of the creative community housed at the Center.

Denise was soon working two jobs - joining Arts Force to run the annual Creativity Festivity. In 2000 Denise began building APPLAUSE! a brand new dramatic program for every child. "This is perhaps the only "non-auditioned" performance group in town. Everyone who shows up gets a part! and joins one of the happiest teams in town!"

Nancy Fredrick Conrad
Founder, Artist, After School Arts Teacher,
Realizing that her three young children had few arts experiences in their elementary school classrooms, Nancy joined forces with other artists, teachers and parents to create the Durango Arts Force in 1990. Today, 13 years later, all 9-R elementary schools have Visual Arts teachers and Afterschool Arts classes and Nancy is justifiably proud of our town's arts focus.

In Denver, as Director of the Colorado Alliance for Arts Education (CAAE), it became apparent just how far this rural SW Colorado area had come in a decade. As Federal legislation makes CSAP testing the centerpiece, Nancy sees Art Education advocacy as more important than ever.

"We've come a very long way in a relatively short time and we don't want to lose all we've gained. The arts are at the heart of the vibrance of our entire community. Making sure every child has access to a full spectrum of arts experiences is essential to their full intellectual development. And it's great fun being part of the process."

Examples of Nancy's recent professional explorations in fused glass and dyed silk are on often on display at the DAC.