Aurora Arts District needs donations, seats filled: "We pride ourselves on being able to expose artists who don't have a platform"

by Tori Mason
August 29, 2023
CBS Colorado

There's new life in the Aurora arts scene. At the same time, an arts nonprofit needs the community's help to stay alive. The Aurora Cultural Arts District is a 16-block stretch between Clinton to Geneva streets on East Colfax Avenue.  

The district features art galleries, studios, and a theatre scene that includes the historic Aurora Fox Arts Center. 

Aurora Library and Cultural Services announced the hiring of Richard Cowden as the new executive producer of the Aurora Fox Arts Center.  

The theatre, which prides itself on being inclusive and accessible, is nestled in one of the most underserved and diverse zip codes in the city. 

"I don't know if this shows, but I'm a middle-aged white dude, right?" laughed Cowden. "My ability to leverage that sort of privilege into facilitating amazing things happening in the theater and in the arts is what I'm responsible to do."

Cowden spent day one on the job reaching out to past supporters, finding more ways to keep the arts accessible for the community.

"I want to help continue to revitalize the neighborhood, help continue to build up the city, help continue to remove barriers to attendance. There are so many people within three blocks of here that have never been in this place. That's a tragedy," said Cowden. "So how do we open those things up? How do we remove those barriers? How do we get people excited about coming in here? How do we make them feel welcome?" 

It's a responsibility he's proud to take on.  

Uplifting local artists is a passion along the corridor. Not far from the theatre, Stephanie Hancock with Aurora Cultural Arts District is working to provide artists with opportunities.  

"We pride ourselves on being able to expose artists who don't have a platform," said Hancock. "We have other programs that serve the community."