Fine Arts Center

Rent
2024-05-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2024-05-05 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Carnival (Summer Music Festival Class)
2024-05-02 17:00 - 18:30 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Students will create illustrations for the presentation of The Carnival of the Animals at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. Drawing skills are required as well as a love of making art. We will focus on creating the cast of joyful animal characters inspired by Camille Saint Saens musical composition. A roaring lion, a kangaroo wearing pajamas, a stately swan, and a squealing donkey are a few of the fun-loving characters we will create. While the orchestra performs the musical composition and a narrator reads the story, the student’s illustrations will be shown on a screen for the audience to view. This is a unique opportunity for young creatives and their families to enjoy. Supplies will be provided.
Ages 8-12
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FAC Member Tour: John Gaw Meem
2024-06-07 16:00 - 17:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
This event is fully booked. To be placed on a waitlist, please call (719) 634-5583 or email fac@coloradocollege.edu
Join local architectural historian Chuck Benson for a tour as we explore the architectural legacy of John Gaw Meem, an influential American architect based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Meem designed the original Fine Arts Center building which opened in 1936. Meem is best known for his pioneering work in the Pueblo Revival style and advocacy for regionalism against international modernism. The tour will delve into Meem’s innovative fusion of Art Deco and Depression Modern styles with Southwest Native American-inspired motifs. Discover the monolithic and monumental concrete structures adorned with intricate details that symbolize Meem’s vision. We’ll explore external and internal spaces, showcasing the genius behind the Fine Arts Center building. Join us to unravel what is celebrated as Meem’s greatest architectural achievement, and gain a deeper appreciation for his impactful contributions to the architectural landscape.
Make a night of it! Stick around after the tour for our First Friday Art Party.
About Chuck Benson
Chuck Benson is and Architectural Consultant and has been teaching the History of Art and Architecture for over 40 years. He most recently is teaching at The Downtown Studio of UCCS, has taught extensively at The Fine Arts Center and The Bemis School of Art, The PILLAR Institute, and taught for a number of years at the main campus of UCCS – both in the Visual Art Program and The Department of Anthropology. He has led numerous groups abroad to Italy, France, Great Britain, and Scotland and also to New York City and Washington D.C. to explore first-hand Art and Architecture.
Image: John Gaw Meem standing on the Fine Arts Center’s balcony, ca. 1930s. Laura Gilpin, © 1979 Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

First Friday Art Party
2024-06-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for First Friday celebration from 5–8 p.m. Enjoy the stunning ambiance offered by this chic, historic venue.

FREE museum admission — see what’s on view
Live music
Art in Deco Lounge by local artist
Drinks and snacks available for purchase
FREE downtown shuttle, THE ZEB, running along Tejon Street to downtown art galleries

Museum Free Day
2023-05-13 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-05-19 10:00 - 20:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Museum Free Days are offered the second Saturday and third Friday of each month. See what’s on view in the museum

Crafts + Cocktails: Air Plant Hanger
2024-06-21 17:30 - 19:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
A fun-filled evening of crafting and cocktails awaits! We’ll be diving into the art of macrame, where you’ll learn to knot and weave an air plant hanger. You can create a plain white air plant hanger or a multi-colored hanger! No prior experience is necessary—our expert instructor Megan Dulin will guide you through the process step-by-step.
And as you work on your masterpiece, you can purchase a delicious drink to sip on while you craft. Space is limited so bring your friends or come solo, either way you’ll have a fantastic time socializing and creating something beautiful!
FAC Members: $20
General admission: $30
Drinks available for purchase. Credit card only. Bar will open at 5 p.m.
PURCHASE TICKETS

Experiencing Jazz: An American Artform Libation Lecture
2024-06-28 17:30 - 18:30 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
As with history in general, jazz history can be analyzed, catalogued, and debated. However, as with any art form, if we are to gain a glimpse into the true nature of jazz, we must experience it for ourselves. This interactive, participatory event brings jazz history to you ‘live’ as the Tidal Breeze Creos Trio provides jazz interludes to accompany historical references. Attendees will experience a variety of historical and contemporary jazz styles and jazz improvisation. We will also have a fun time playing Jazz Jeopardy.
This lecture coincides with the exhibition Clarence Shivers: Experimenting with Form, currently on view at the FAC through July 6.
Themed drink: Tidal BreezeTM Daiquiri
Lecturer: Terri Pederson: Tidal Breeze Jazz Arts, LLC., Jazz Musician, BME, MBA (Retired Vice President, dpiX, LLC)
$10 for FAC members, $15 for non-members, includes your first drink
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The Tidal Breeze Creos Jazz Trio brings Creative Energy to jazz and Latin jazz, while also playing new compositions and a wide variety funk, blues, swing, and New Orleans styles. The Tidal Breeze Creos Trio features Terri Pederson on trumpet, Matt Podschweit on keyboard, and Pat Abbot on bass.
Terri Pederson is a Trumpet / Flugelhorn player who leads Tidal Breeze Jazz Arts and the Creos Jazz Trio. Terri has performed with singer Ernestine Anderson, singer / entertainer Clint Holmes, and jazz greats Bill Watrous and Phil Urso. Terri’s recent composition “Ode to the Emergency Room” can be heard on YouTube and Spotify and features Pat Abbott on a killer electric bass solo.
Keyboardist Matt Podschweit’s versatility has led to gigs and recording work with jazz, rock, blues, folk, top 40, and big band artists. Matt has appeared with such notable acts as the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, The Four Lads, Little Anthony and the Imperials; and is currently appearing with the SofaKillers, Treo, Eric Ellison, and Tidal Breeze.
Bassist Pat Abbott is an Orchestra Director in the public school system as well as a college level Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies. Pat has performed with legendary jazz masters Bill Watrous, Paul Smoker, and Phil Haynes and is very in demand throughout the region.
Creos: from the Latin “Creo”, to make or create.
About Libation Lectures
Libation Lectures is a lecture series offering an educational twist to the traditional happy hour. Each lecture explores an aspect of the amazing art and featured artists from various Fine Arts Center exhibitions served up with a themed drink to help you dive deep into the topic.

Yoga at the FAC
2024-06-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for yoga with instructor Dominika Kamionka in our beautiful glass-walled Smith Family Gallery. Participants are invited to stay and enjoy the museum for free after class. All experience levels are welcome.

Please bring your own mat. Water is allowed during class, but not in the museum galleries if you choose to visit.

Suggested donation of $10 to benefit the Fine Arts Center (you’ll also have the option to donate at class). Space is limited.

PLEASE RSVP

FAC Member History Stroll: On a Cough and a Prayer
2024-07-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Downtown Colorado Springs, 120 E. Bijou St., Colorado Springs, Colorado
In the late nineteenth century, Colorado Springs declared itself “America’s Greatest Sanatorium.” And it worked! By 1900 over 20,000 health-seekers came in search of a cure for tuberculosis. The dreaded “White Plague” built a local economy reliant on medical tourism. In this approximately 1 mile walking tour through downtown, we’ll explore both the reputable and infamous people, places, and treatments that made Colorado Springs famous as a health resort.
Join a knowledgeable guide from the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum for this 1 mile downtown stroll lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be sure to dress for the weather.
$5 per person. Tour meets at 10 a.m. in front of Story Coffee in Acacia Park (120 E. Bijou St.) Tour ends at the same location.
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Image: Unknown photographer, [Modern Woodmen of America Sanatorium], ca. 1910. Courtesy Pikes Peak Library District digital collections.

Member Tour: Museum Collections
2024-08-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join Sara Hodge, Head of Collections, and the rest of the museum collections team on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. See how the museum stores the 17,000 works entrusted to its care and stewardship, and learn about ongoing collections projects including mural conservation, object inventory and cataloging, and NAGPRA compliance. After a tour of the collections storage spaces, enjoy a private walk-thru of the Agents of Care gallery, and discover how the space is supporting collections-driven learning and community collaboration. Join our team as we pull back the curtain and demystify museum practice, inviting you to be an active partner in the care of the collections we safeguard.
Space is very limited, RSVP required. Not a member? Join today!
RSVP FOR TOUR
Make a night of it! Stick around after the tour for our First Friday Art Party.
