Vision
A community that supports all forms of cultural expression.
Mission
Engage and celebrate the heritage, culture and creativity of our community.
Origin
Arts & Culture is a division of the Thornton Parks, Recreation and Community Programs Department. The division was established in 2006 to offer community-based programs and year-round events in partnership with other city departments and nonprofit organizations. With funding provided by the city, Adams County, and the Scientific Cultural and Facilities District (SCFD), Arts Thornton creates, publicizes, and presents the Thornton Arts Academy education programs, seasonal concert series and cultural events, exhibits and public art projects, as well as hosts workshops and tours at the
Ken Freiberg Fire Museum.
Programs
Arts & Culture supports Thornton history initiatives including the development of the Ken Freiberg Fire Museum, Lambertson Farms, Eastlake, Aylor and related collection and conservation of city artifacts and archival property. Staff also provides year-round administrative support for the Council-appointed Thornton Arts Sciences and Humanities Council (TASHCO) including the board's annual budget, meetings, programs, related publicity, and subcommittees. Visit the ArtsThornton Events Calendar to see what’s happening next at each division facility and at other city locations used to host year-round arts, cultural and heritage activities benefiting the Thornton community and visitors.
Facilities
Arts & Culture is located at the Thornton Arts & Culture Center (TACC) at 9209 Dorothy Boulevard and opened in 2011 as the city hub for performing and visual arts with a gallery and
theater space plus city archival storage. The division's adjacent building, the Annex at 9211 Dorothy Boulevard, opened in 2021 and houses staff plus additional meeting, gallery and classroom/studio space. The division began offering second Saturday hours at the museum in 2022. Facilities are closed on Mondays and federal holidays with the Annex and TACC open to the public, Tuesday-Friday, along with TACC and museum hours on second Saturdays (March-October).
Land Acknowledgement Statement
We, the city of Thornton, recognize that the land we occupy was cared for and called home by the Sioux, Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho people. This land holds historical, spiritual, and personal significance to indigenous nations of this region in addition to numerous others who use this land as a site for gathering and healing. We acknowledge that our public art projects are built on the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of indigenous peoples. By offering this Land Acknowledgment, we recognize, support, and honor the sovereignty of the contemporary tribal nations in Colorado and beyond. We affirm our commitment to: a) be good stewards of this land, b) build relationships that unite our communities, and c) respect the contributions, innovations, and perspective of Indigenous peoples.
Our Team
Alisa Zimmerman
Arts & Culture Manager
Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs
720-977-5888
Lisa Neeper
Arts & Culture Supervisor
Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs
720-977-5882
Erica Schmitt
Public Art Coordinator (starting 12/11)
Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs
Ashley Milligan
Archivist
Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs
Ashley.Milligan@ThorntonCO.gov
Brenda Wiegert
Guest Relations Clerk
Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs
Brenda.Wiegert@ThorntonCO.gov
720-977-5887
Communications
Stay in touch with Arts Thornton on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM. Also subscribe to our newsletter for the latest information on what's happening!
