Fort Collins' Downtown Artery Serves a Diverse Creative Community

Colorado Business Committee for the Arts honors the mixed-use space in 2018

ColoradoBiz Staff //March 20, 2018//

Fort Collins' Downtown Artery Serves a Diverse Creative Community

Colorado Business Committee for the Arts honors the mixed-use space in 2018

ColoradoBiz Staff //March 20, 2018//

For 2018, the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts included Fort Collins' Downtown Artery for its support of a vibrant community of artists, creators and musicians in the northern part of the state. 

The 14,000-square-foot creative hub spans half a block in downtown Fort Collins. Dreamed up over family dinner, owners Kent and Mary Bradley developed an atmosphere with rentable artist studios, encouraging the revival of the working artist.

"We call it an ecosystem," says Amy Bradley, managing director and co-founder of the Downtown Artery. She says the space includes a venue, bar-cafe, gallery, artist studios, Airbnb rooms and more.

Recognizing the struggles associated with bridging the gap between one's profession and passion, the Fort Collins' Downtown Artery successfully serves as a platform for individuals eager to make the leap.

"It gives necessary exposure to artists," Bradley says.

Catering to painters, print makers, photographers, musicians, architects, writers and others, hundreds of creative community members have showcased within the space. A $5 monthly membership gives community members access to members-only events, discounts on food and drink served in the space, concert tickets and more. 

Downtown Artery is open seven days a week, with monthly rotations of the gallery and the work of in-house artists.