Arts Longmont To Close After 36 Years

LONGMONT, CO -- After 36 years, local non-profit Arts Longmont has announced that it will be dissolving operations by April 30, according to reporting from the Times-Call. The organization was behind popular programming such as the Friday Afternoon Concerts and Arts Shows and Longmont Studio Tours, and also organized and advocated for greater arts presence and access in the city.

"Over the years we accumulated a lot of short- and long-term debt that just became too much for a small arts organization," Marianne Lorenz, the executive director of Arts Longmont, told the Times-Call. "I mean, we were facing some debts that we simply didn't feel we were going to be able to pay."

Arts Longmont reported to the Times-Call that it was working with local partners such as the Downtown Longmont Creative District, to find other organization to take over its programming. "These programs will not die," Lorenz told the Times-Call.

"Nonprofits go through change all the time, so I don't think this an indication that our arts community is struggling," Joanne Kirves, the former executive director of Arts Longmont told the Times-Call. "In fact, I think it's a strong arts scene. We have this amazing downtown, the Firehouse is doing great, the new conductor at the Longmont Symphony has really embraced the community. So I can imagine that there are feelings of sadness now that Arts Longmont is gone, but it's not something that you just say 'oh, OK, we're done now.' It will be interesting to see how the community reacts."

Get the full story from the Times-Call here.