Mission Statement:

"The ArtDistrict on Santa Fe is dedicated to promoting public awareness of Santa Fe Drive as a unique art and cultural district, and furthering the arts and art education in the metropolitan community."

About the District:

• Santa Fe Drive has had a long history of having artists and artists studios.
• In recent years many galleries and artists studios began to move into the area as rents in other parts of Denver rose.
• In 2003 a group of about 17 galleries, museums and theatres incorporated the ArtDistrict on Santa Fe as a non-profit corporation.
• Since 2003 membership in the ArtDistrict (now officially called Denvers ArtDistrict on Santa Fe) has grown to 49 members on and around Santa Fe Drive between 4th and 12th Avenues).
• The rise in membership and activity on Santa Fe Drive has been a grass roots success story. The members of the ArtDistrict continue to like each other and cooperate with each other without undue pretension. That has helped create and maintain the friendly and welcoming feel of the street.
• About 10 of the members in the ArtDistrict own their buildings so the ArtDistrict will likely remain a viable art community with less volatility caused by the inevitable rising rents.
• The ArtDistrict works with existing organizations such as NEWSED and the Maintenance District to improve and beautify the area. For example, the ArtDistrict and NEWSED split the cost of the street banners; the maintenance district teams with the ArtDistrict to tackle graffiti and to beautify the sidewalks.
• The ArtDistrict is now moving into a new, more mature phase as related and complementary businesses such as architects, dance studios, home decorating stores, book stores, designers, radio stations, restaurants and coffee shops are moving to the District. New full time residents are moving in as well.
• First Friday Art Walk in the ArtDistrict has become legendary with between 4,000 to 5,000 art patrons coming out to see the art.
• To accommodate the First Friday crowds and alleviate parking concerns, the ArtDistrict runs a shuttle bus sponsored by Otten Johnson, the law firm of the ArtDistrict's President Jack Pappalardo, from RTD Light Rail Station at Osage and 10th Avenue, to West High School parking lot on Galapago, and to Santa Fe Drive from 5:30 to 9:30 PM.
• In a prime example of the ArtDistrict being an integral part of the local neighborhood fabric, in cooperation with the principal of West High School, students will collect $3.00 per parked car with that money going towards West High's arts and cultural programs.
• The ArtDistrict on Santa Fe has gained national attention this past year with references in Sunset Magazine, named Top 5 New Art Districts in American by Travel and Leisure magazine, and just last week the Cleveland Plain Dealer sought comments from Jack Pappalardo to see how it was done in Denver as Cleveland has a redevelopment area that is attracting galleries and artist studios.
• The ArtDistrict will kick-off the City-wide First Annual Arts Week in October with a Super First Friday featuring art, music and street performers, with the First Annual ArtDistrict Awards to be presented the following Friday.