The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) task force is a new group of Arvada Center employees who are collaborating to find ways to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and access in our organization. We’re considering these things internally (in our hiring and day-to-day work lives) as well as externally (in the programming we’re putting on, the stories we’re telling, and who our visitors are).  

We recognize that having a diverse and equitable work environment is not only critical to changing for the better, it also fuels collaboration, innovation and creativity. We also recognize that, historically, the Center has not always lived up to these ideals. 

During this time when listening is key to increasing inclusion, President and CEO Philip Sneed and the Arvada Center leadership would like to hear from you.

If you have comments, concerns, or ideas about how the Arvada Center can learn and become more inclusive, we welcome your feedback at idea@arvadacenter.org

IDEA Task Force Members

Adam Stolte, Production Manager

Elizabeth Jamison, Audio Engineer

Kim Loiselle, Human Resources Coordinator

Leslie Simon, Content and Grant Writer

Lynne Collins, Artistic Director of Plays

Marcus Turner, Director of Communications

Michelle Peterson, Volunteer Services and Accessibility Manager

Philip Sneed, President and CEO

Sarah Kolb, Digital Communications Specialist

Teresa Cirrincione, Assistant Education Director

Teresa YoKell, Vice President of Advancement

The Arvada Center acknowledges that our facilities stand atop ancestral lands that include the Tsétsėhéstaestse (Cheyenne), the Hinono’eiteen (Arapaho), Nuche (Ute), and Oceti Sakowin (Lakota) nations. We offer respect to people of these nations—past, present and future.  As we strengthen our resolve to honor their legacies we ask that you do so as well by giving pause to acknowledge the history of deceit, wrongdoing and Western settlement on their lands as well as the beauty of their languages, knowledge and strengths that informs our human experience today.

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The Arvada Center strives to make the arts accessible to all people. As part of that effort, we produce theatrical performances for people with specific needs. For more information or to request an accessible performance please call the box office at 720-898-7200.

Read more about the kinds of accessibility options we offer for our live theatre productions.

Questions or suggestions? Contact Volunteer and Accessibility Manager Michelle Peterson, mpeterson@arvadacenter.org.

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Read our statement on Black Lives Matter and the murder of George Floyd below:

This is a moment.

In this moment, our hearts break for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.  

In this moment, we reflect and ask: can we call ourselves inclusive if we remain silent about the heinous injustices taking place in front of our very eyes?  

The answer resounds clearly.  We take this moment to declare our truth as an organization and to raise our voices against racism and white supremacy.

This is a moment of truth.  We see you.  We stand with you.  

The Arvada Center's mission is to celebrate and elevate the human condition and to expand the cultural landscape for everyone who visits us. We believe art has the power to remind us of our common humanity, to create empathy for those different from us and find connection in the things we share. With that in mind, we hold ourselves accountable to do better, and ask our community to do the same. 

We acknowledge our own responsibility and culpability within a society that is inherently inequitable, and how we ourselves have contributed to this inequity.  We know that actions are more meaningful than statements.

“Amplify” gives voice to Black creatives through music, performance, dance and spoken word. Produced and curated by Betty Hart, this series invites Black creatives in our community to share work and their words capturing how they feel in this moment - their hopes, fears, anger and joy.

Watch the most recent episode of "Amplify" here:

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We're proud to collaborate with numerous groups and organizations in our community, including: 

• Diversity in the Arts Internship program
• Chabad of Northwest Metro Denver
• Kwanzaa Committee of Colorado
• IDEA Stages
• Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce
• Native American Bank
• Jeffrey Bigger & ASL interpreting

• 2020 True West Awards: Amplify - John Moore for the Arvada Center
• “Black in Denver” illustrates through photos — and words — the vast diversity of the Black diaspora - Colorado Sun
• On being Black in Denver and all that it brings - John Moore for the Arvada Center
• Colorado theater in the time of Black Lives Matter - A new reckoning, in five acts - Denver Post
• "Amplify" comes to powerful conclusion - John Moore for the Arvada Center
• Black Women Explore Pain and Power - Denver Westword
• Virtual video series wants to 'Amplify' Black voices in Colorado - 9News
• Arvada Center Launches "Amplify" Series  - John Moore for the Arvada Center
• Arvada Center Amplifies Black Voices With a New Video Series - Denver Westword
• Arvada Center going "Out of the Box" with Cleo Parker Robinson" - John Moore for the Arvada Center
• Revealing the Dialogue – Communicating with Jeffrey Bigger - Leslie Simon for the Arvada Center