Beginning

"I, who had been silent for over 50 years, began to see how important voice is."

15 years ago, our Founder and Board President, Barbara Reese, was introduced to poetry and it changed her life. She set out to create an organization that would allow others in her community to explore their voices through not just poetry, but also dance, theatre, music, painting, drawing....all of the arts. VOICES was born in 2016, and the power of the arts and the human voice continues to fuel the work of our team.

Mission &
Vision

We amplify voices in our community through the arts. 

By collaborating with diverse people and ideas, participants develop an understanding of self and other, making choices that connect us rather than divide us. Participants are empowered to live their authentic lives, feeling seen, feeling heard. 

Goals

Build strong partnerships

WITH SCHOOLS

• Build arts projects with three partner schools each year

WITH YOUTH

• Assemble a diverse Youth Advisory Board with representation from each Roaring Fork Valley High School to help guide the vision, planning, and operations of Voices

WITH TEACHING ARTISTS

• Partner with excellent local and regional teaching artists from various art disciplines and backgrounds to bring dynamic and diverse programming to students

WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

• Contribute to a strong landscape of community services by focusing on connection, sharing, and collaboration, while avoiding redundancy and competition