About PlatteForum
Youth and professional artists collaborate on long-term, intensive projects, exploring a wide array of social issues together and taking 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.
Mission
Envisioning a world where youth and artists have no boundaries to success, we use the arts as a bridge to connect our communities with resources to reach their full potential.
Values
Inclusivity
We celebrate and value diverse perspectives and believe in equity for all voices.
Community
We foster provocative conversations and action on social issues important to our community.
History
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.
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 vulnerable 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.
Our Programs
PlatteForum’s programs provide critical arts education and access, prepare youth for high school graduation and post secondary success, and support youth and artists to create positive social change in their communities.
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 15-year, 97% graduation rate for ArtLab Interns.
Artist Residency
ArtLab Youth Internship
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
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.
Our Impact
PlatteForum’s programs provide critical arts education and access, prepare youth for high school graduation and post secondary success, and support youth and artists to create positive social change in their communities.