The Creative Industries Division of the Office of Economic Development (CCI) has awarded KSUT a grant through the Colorado Arts Relief Fund, an initiative passed by the Colorado Legislature, (enacted by recently passed bill HB21-1285) to assist artists and arts organizations impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In October of 2019, KSUT was the recipient of two regional music festivals, Pagosa Folk 'N Bluegrass and Four Corners Folk Festival. With the pandemic raging as festival dates approached in June of 2020, KSUT was faced with the inevitable decision to cancel the Pagosa Folk 'N Bluegrass festival, followed by the Four Corners Folk Festival in September. The circumstances were similar in June 2021, causing yet another festival cancellation.
The fiscal impact of canceling three festivals, plus other special events in 2020-21 was significant. When KSUT learned of the opportunity to recover some of those losses through the CCI Colorado Arts Relief Fund, they applied and were awarded $100,000.
"This grant award could not have come at a better time for us, said KSUT executive director Tami Graham. I also want to express tremendous gratitude to the State of Colorado for the awareness of the economic impact that arts organizations and individual artists have on our communities with the creation of the Arts Relief Fund."
KSUT is planning on holding the 15th annual Pagosa Folk 'N Bluegrass festival, June 10-12, 2022. Tickets and information are available at www.ksutpresents.org.