Longmont Performing Arts Initiative

One of the reasons that I began conducting was to deepen the impact that the arts — and specifically an orchestra — can have on a community. Culture plays such a critical role in making a community a livable and desirable place to call home. I have been impressed and inspired by the work that is going on with my friends at the Longmont Performing Arts Initiative (affectionately referred to as "Le-Pie"). LPAI is made up of 6 major non-profit arts organizations that are working together to raise the profile of the performing arts in Longmont and to speak with a unified voice for the performing arts. 

While the list of non-profit performing arts organizations includes the Longmont Symphony, Chorale, and Concert Band, it also includes Longs Peak Chorus and Northern Colorado's pre-professional youth ballet, Centennial State Ballet, as well as the Longmont Youth Symphony - both of which have incredible educational components. It is incredible to see how each of these groups have a desire to come together to lift up the other performing arts groups. 

When we began meeting two years ago, it became clear that the major hurdle that we all faced was securing adequate venues for our performances. We quickly began working together to champion the creation of a dedicated performing arts space that meets the unique needs of each of the groups. 

LPAI has primarily been a grassroots effort. Our members and supporters are wonderful people who share a fundamental conviction that the performing arts can change the landscape of a community. We believe that a dedicated performing arts facility could impact everything from our local economy to Longmont's sense of place.  As our message spread,  it became clear that we needed to raise funds for a feasibility study. We began our campaign to raise the required $75,000 in 75 days. Our community rallied behind us, and we raised $85,000 in 75 days! 

Following the rigorous selection of our consulting firm to perform the study, Johnson Consulting from Chicago has begun their work to determine the feasibility of our project. I know that Johnson Consulting will be looking at a myriad of quantifiable metrics to help determine the feasibility of this project. However, as they perform their study,  I hope that they give some weight to the intangible; What this project could do for our community and the sense of place that it creates is immeasurable!