About PlatteForum
We are an award-winning urban art and activism laboratory – where established artists work side by side with young artists to create a body of work that is reflective of a global voice.
— What we Stand for —
Mission.
Using the Arts as a Bridge PlatteForum connects youth and artists with resources to reach their full potential.
At PlatteForum, youth and professional artists collaborate on long-term, intensive projects, where they explore a wide array of social issues together and take creative risks in a safe and inclusive environment.
In the process, youth participants develop academic, professional, social/emotional, leadership and personal skills that stay with them forever.
Vision.
We envision a world where youth, artists, and communities have no boundaries to success.
PlatteForum typically serves close to 200 artists and more than 550 youth each year. Over the last 18 years we have welcomed artists from 5 continents, 15 countries and 26 states.
Our ArtLab program boasts a 16-year, on-time graduation rate of 98% for Interns, significantly higher than Colorado’s rate of 83.4% and Denver Public School’s 79%.
Every year, PlatteForum serves over 2,750 youth, their families, artists, community members and the general public through our core programs. ll exhibitions/performances and artist/activist conversations are offered free and to the public.
Values.
Creatice Expression, Collaboration, Inclusivity, & Community.
Creative expression - We are an inspiring and uncensored space that ignites artistic exploration and self-awareness.
Collaboration - We push boundaries and create partnerships to amplify our impact.
Inclusivity - We celebrate and value diverse perspectives and believe in equity for all voices.
Community - We foster provocative conversations and action on social issues that are important to our community.
“Being given the privilege to participate within ArtLab for 3 years has brought me to a warm and welcoming community of many different individuals. It has been the most impactful on my life, bringing me out of my comfort zone, pushing me to become the best version of myself, and preparing me for what comes next.”
Maya, ArtLab Intern ‘24
— Our History —
A Little Bit of Background
PlatteForum was founded in 2002, by professional artist Judy Anderson and Mark Smith of East West Partners. They envisioned a world in which PlatteForum could offer creative learning and engagement opportunities for our community’s most under-resourced youth. Their vision extended to the community too; PlatteForum offers free public programs that offer a high degree of artistic excellence. Anderson and Smith’s shared vision and efforts fostered the growth of this organization, one of the first nonprofits in the Denver metro area to offer arts education programming for youth from historically marginalized communities and an urban artistic residency program in one place.
“I don’t know any other place like ArtLab. It is a group that is very aware of what is going on in the world and creates art about those issues.”
- Rogelio, 2018 ArtLab graduate
ArtLab
“ArtLab makes you feel like you’re at home.“
- Maria
— Our Programs —
PlatteForum’s flagship program, ArtLab, is an innovative year-round paid-internship for under-resourced high school youth that integrates art and activism with social/emotional support, as well as academic and professional skills development.
ArtLab Interns spend more than 200 hours each year with PlatteForum staff and Resident Artists, the driving force behind our 16-year, 98% graduation rate for ArtLab Interns. In 2023 and 2024, 100% of ArtLab Interns graduated high school on time.
Artist Residency
“The sense of commuinty with the youth and me was really powerful.“
- Tricia Waddell
PlatteForum’s Artist Residency is a competitive and international residency that takes place over a period of 6-8 weeks. Our Artist Residency Program provides established artists with the time, space, and support they need to create a new body of work which inspires and connects communities.
Resident Artists are given full access to PlatteForum’s studio space to use over the course of their residency, and in return, are required to lead workshops with ArtLab Interns and other youth groups, culminating in an exhibition of the project.
Public Programs
We offer community-based programs to support creative education, access, and opportunity in the Denver area. Our programs help bring communities together to evaluate and press on some of our society’s most challenging and important issues, while uplifting youth and artist voices.
“My favorite part of the program was hanging out with diverse and creative people.” - youth participant
Artist Conversations
Artist Conversations, supported by Denver Arts & Venues and the National Endowment for the Arts through the DAV Arts & Culture Fund, is a new PlatteForum event series. This is an enriching panel discussion series bringing together artists, activists, and youth to engage with social justice issues that matter most to them. Using a format developed by PlatteForum, these talks will allow youth to interview Resident Artists along with activists and experts who will bring cross-sector topics to the forefront such as environmentalism, racial equity, and mental health. The event will hold space for youth, artists, activists, and experts to have engaging and formative conversations about the present and futures of our communities and our world.
ArtLab Alumni Program
In 2024, PlatteForum is piloting a program to formally support our young adult (18-25) ArtLab Alumni. This program will involve exhibitions and professional development opportunities for these emerging artists.
Arts Education Workshops with Colfax Community Network
PlatteForum hosts hands-on Arts Education Workshops for k-8 youth with Colfax Community Network. This partnership has been in place since PlatteForum’s inception, and pairs professional artists and teen near-peer mentors with youth from CCN.
Satellite ArtLab
Satellite ArtLab is PlatteForum’s in-school version of our flagship program. Using the model to pair professional artists with youth to learn creative skills and engage with social issues, PlatteForum delivers Satellite ArtLab in Title 1 schools around the Denver metro area. Interested in having PlatteForum bring arts workshops to your school?
Reach out to info@platteforum.org.
Immigrant Artists Mentor Program (IAMP): Denver (2021)
In partnership with New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), this nationally recognized program paired Denver area immigrant and refugee artists with established, local professional artists in mentor/mentee partnerships culminating in an exhibition that was held in the Denver area.
Convos w/ Gen Z (2017-2021)
An original event created by PlatteForum as both a forum and intergenerational discussion between high school students and local, national and international leaders on topics that matter most to their generation and the future of our world. Interns engage with a robust slate of leaders on a wide range of topics including everything from empathy and diversity to Afrofuturism and media. Convos w/ Gen Z has been hosted by the Biennial of the Americas, Denver Art Museum, the Savoy, and RedLine’s 48 Hours of Socially Engaged Art.
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