Arts & Culture

Vision: A community that supports all forms of cultural expression.

Mission: Engage and celebrate the heritage, culture and creativity of our community.

Origin: Established in 2006, Arts & Culture is part of the Thornton Parks and Recreation Department. We connect with our community through performing and visual arts and sciences educational programs, exhibits, and events in partnership with city departments, nonprofits, artists, funders, and sponsors.

Programs: With funding provided by the city, Adams County Cultural Council, the Scientific Cultural and Facilities District, and Colorado Creative Industries, Arts Thornton creates, publicizes, and presents year-round Thornton Arts Academy education programs, seasonal community events, the ArtsThornton music series, OZ Gallery quarterly exhibits, and public art (via Economic Development).

• Arts Thornton works with other city departments and the community to support the Thornton Archive and history initiatives including development of the Ken Freiberg Fire Museum, Lambertson Farm, Eastlake, Aylor Open Space, and related collection and conservation of city artifacts and archival property.
• Arts Thornton also provides year-round administrative support for the Council-appointed Thornton Arts Sciences and Humanities Council (TASHCO) including the board's annual budget, monthly meetings, SCFD grant-funded programs, fundraising events, and various subcommittees.
• Visit the Arts & Culture Events Calendar to see what’s happening at our facilities and other city locations used to host year-round free and low-cost activities for Thornton residents 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 and offices. The division's adjacent building, the Annex at 9211 Dorothy Boulevard, opened in 2021 and houses division staff plus additional meeting, gallery and classroom/studio space.

TACC is open to the public, Tuesday-Friday from 12-5 p.m. and on Second Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for OZ Gallery exhibits. Admission is free. The Annex is open to the public, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Both facilities are closed on federal and city holidays.

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.

Arts & Culture Administrator - Alisa Zimmerman, 720-977-5888, Alisa.Zimmerman@ThorntonCO.gov; 9211 Dorothy Blvd.

Arts & Culture Supervisor - Kassandra Mestemaker, 720-977-5882, Kassandra.Mestemaker@ThorntonCO.gov; 9211 Dorothy Blvd.

Arts & Culture Support Specialist - Kendra Layne, 720-977-5887, Kendra.Layne@ThorntonCO.gov; 9209 Dorothy Blvd.

Senior Program Specialist & Dance Team Director - Kendra Keefe, 720-977-5937, Kendra.Keefe@ThorntonCO.gov; 13495 Holly St.

Sponsorship Sales & Marketing Coordinator - Vince Aragon, 720-977-5965, Vince.Aragon@ThorntonCO.gov; 11181 Colorado Blvd.

Public Art Coordinator (Economic Development) - Erica Schmitt, 303-538-7393, Erica.Schmitt@ThorntonCO.gov; 9500 Civic Center Drive

Below are highlights of our past year's impact, growth and achievements. Full color, bilingual flyers are available at the Thornton Arts & Culture Center (TACC) during regular business hours.  For any questions, please email Alisa.Zimmerman@ThorntonCO.gov.

OUR IMPACT - 62,201 PEOPLE REACHED 

• 52,000+ visitors to Community Center art installation

• 4,121 subscribers to Arts Thornton bimonthly newsletter 

• 2,100+ people at 9th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration

• 1,992 attendees at Juneteenth, Pride, and Dino Fest events

• 1,634 visitors at Oz Gallery quarterly art exhibits and activities

• 354 (ages 5-83) enrolled in 41 art classes at 4 facilities (55%=youth!)

OUR GROWTH - 21 PROGRAMS ADDED 

• 8 new class offerings from Thornton Arts Academy (one with animals!)

• 6 new 2D art pieces for the city’s permanent collection 

• 4 gallery exhibits showcasing 5 diverse artists and styles

• 2 public art sculptures installed in a city park and open space 

• 1 new SCFD grant to launch city’s first indoor music series in 2026

OUR MILESTONES - 8 ACHIEVED 

• Arts & Culture Master Plan (2026-2030) 
• Anythink Libraries partnership with free workshops 
• Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Installation 
• Public Art inventory and assessment plan 
• Record-breaking TASHCO event fundraising
• Science-based hands-on Dino Fest for all ages
• Veteran Memorials photo gallery and inventory 
• Winterfest Holiday Traditions Around The World 

Designing Local (DL) provided consulting services to develop a comprehensive Arts and Culture Master Plan for 2026-2030. This plan builds upon the city's existing 2017 Arts and Culture Master Plan, as well as other city plans, to support Thornton’s current and future arts and culture programs, services, and related community resources. The new plan [PDF/9.4MB] was adopted by Council on September 22, 2026. For more information about this process or a printed copy of the plan, please email Alisa.Zimmerman@ThorntonCO.gov.