About Us

In late March, when mass cancellations were occurring in response to COVID-19 and artists and art organizations were pivoting their programming to online platforms, three individuals were having similar thoughts about art accessibility and asking themselves, “What If?”

The #ArtFindsUs initiative, a partnership between K Contemporary Gallery Denver, Holly Porterfield, and Athena Project, was born to contribute to the economic livelihood of local artists and the Denver community. A Redline survey reported due to COVID-19, artists have already lost an average of $3500. #ArtFindsUs compensates artists and provides all of Denver with accessibility to the work, reinforcing how art is instrumental, especially during these economically challenging times, to uplift our community and reinforce our shared existence.

Similarly to food banks, #ArtFindsUs will provide nourishment, a positive stimulus to Denver communities. When food is available and shared, stress is reduced and community reinforced. In that vein, our goal is to bring people to their front yards or windows, connecting them with images or sounds that will resonate, filling them with hope. It will not compromise anyone’s health, is freely accessible, and is in motion. Like jazz, this is improvisation, an opportunity to create together, meeting the needs of this historic time.

Communities hardest hit as well as organizations providing services to women will be included on the routes. Of the modes of transportation, two featured visual art, one was a mobile stage with performers, and one shared music via the backs of pedicabs. While determining the routes, prioritization was given to communities hardest hit during COVID-19 as well as routes where organizations serving women are located. K Contemporary and Athena Project curated the project and funded artists, placing emphasis on work by women artists and artists of color. In advance of the third Thursday, #ArtsFindsUs interviewed the artists and elevated their work and their voices on social media platforms to broaden community reach. In addition to the sharing out of art forms, #ArtFindsUs also wants to ensure the stories of artists are captured to reveal their experience during this historic time.