Beginning

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

Sixteen years ago, our beloved founder Barbara Reese, discovered poetry and it changed her life. She dreamed of a place where people could explore their voices through many forms of art — poetry, dance, theatre, music, painting, and more.

As a result, VOICES was founded in 2016 to build a community of open hearts. Today we honor Barbara’s legacy by championing the wellbeing of youth, sage (older adults), women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ communities. We believe art can transcend cultural, racial, and socioeconomic boundaries, helping us heal, grow, and connect. Through our programs In School, In Community, and On Stage, we weave together the diverse stories that shape our shared cultural tapestry.

Mission

We amplify voices in our community through the arts. 

VOICES is a nonprofit serving the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys. We create welcoming, safe spaces where people are seen, heard, and truly empowered. Our programs — In School, In Community, and On Stage — inspire participants to be their authentic selves and feel fully heard and seen.

Who We Serve

VOICES is based in Carbondale, in Garfield County, Colorado. Since its inception in 2016, VOICES has served communities throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. We exist to give a platform of expression for those coming from socially or historically marginalized demographics, including individuals coming from immigrant families, working-class families, aging populations, youth, women, and LGBTQ+ communities. In Carbondale, the Hispanic population is 26%, with 54% of students enrolled in the Roaring Fork Valley School District of Latin descent, and 24% of students economically disadvantaged. Our in school programs offer this demographic equal opportunity to high quality arts education instruction and individual attention.

Our in-school programming addresses primarily the disparity of services offered to students from immigrant backgrounds. Our on-stage programming celebrates the unique and authentic individual stories from our communities through devised theater processes. Our in-community programming highlights storytellers from all walks of life and all corners of the community. All of VOICES’ programs respond to the needs of the community by offering equitable access to art, self expression, and identity exploration. 

In 2023, VOICES served 115 youth between the ages of 10-18 through the InSchool Residencies. VOICES OnStage programs Sage VOICES Project and Nuestras VOCES (Teatro en Español), as well as the InCommunity programs VOICES Radio Hour and VOICES Summertime Stories and Music served a total 102 participants between the ages of 11 to 98 and welcomed 2,763 audience members. Since our inception in 2016, a total of 1350 participants and 10,588 audience members have experienced and witnessed the powerful and transformative work of VOICES’ projects. 

Our Values

INCLUSIVENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY | We provide equitable access to arts experiences for all, celebrating the diversity of race, age, gender, and culture.

SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH THE ARTS | Art is a vital tool for self-expression, healing, and change. Our programs help participants find and share their authentic voice.

CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS | Our work honors the unique stories and heritage of our communities, uplifting voices across generations and backgrounds.