#ArtFindsVoters

In January of 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Endowment for the Arts reported Colorado led the nation in arts performances and exhibition attendance.  The attendance rate for metro Denver was 76.8% compared to the national average of 48.5%. More people residing in Denver attended plays, concerts and dance performances than any other place in the country. Then a pandemic hit.

In the summer of 2020, Athena Project partnered with K Contemporary Gallery and created the mobile art project #ArtFindsUs to fill the newly found arts void. Artists were compensated and art was freely and safely accessible to all, reinforcing the ability of the arts to connect people, uplift communities and acknowledge our shared existence.  

With the election just weeks away and so much at stake, we have to come together to do all we can to get out the vote.  Enter:  #ArtFindsVoters.

#ArtFindsVoters seeks to educate voters about what is at risk in this election for artists and gig workers and thus the vibrancy of our city.  Issues include health care, affordable housing, art accessibility, job security, storytelling, the need for creativity and the heart and soul of our city.

This time #ArtFindsVoters collaborators include Athena Project and Handsome Little Devils (HLD) and our goal is to create meaningful and worthwhile activations to raise awareness and encourage people to register throughout the afternoon of October 17.

Activation Description

The first part of the activation is a voter registration drive through the heart of Five Points along Welton Street, from 12pm-4pm, people will be able to stay in their cars and register to vote.  #ArtFindsVoters will provide entertainment (artists TBD) along Welton Street and near Coffee At The Point.  Additionally, a mobile, digital billboard truck will be traveling throughout the city with event messaging to include both Be Woke.Vote information as well as #ArtFindsVoters.  As with all our events, safety is our number one priority and all COVID guidelines will be adhered to.  

The second part of our event is to support getting #ballotstothebox.  Using a text platform, we will connect artists who wish to volunteer and patrons who need assistance in getting their ballots to the polls to do just that–get their ballots to the polls.  According to Colorado statute, each person can collect up to 9 ballots plus their own (so 10 total) and deliver them to the ballot box without penalty.  And patrons can keep an eye on their ballots, but signing up at BallotTrace, a City of Denver sponsored site designed to let people track their ballots.

This effort is a way to highlight the large number of artists who are suffering to pay their bills but who are still willing to engage and support fellow citizens on this important cause.

Details to come about how to sign up and where to text for your ballot pick up.

Partners