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We need your help 

Impacting the arts in Western Colorado

Colorado Mesa University and the State of Colorado are investing in the future of performing arts in western Colorado by prioritizing the building of a new state-of-the-art theatre. The Colorado Joint Budget Committee, the General Assembly and Governor Polis approved $39 million for the project. CMU will invest an additional $5 million.

We need your help to raise the additional funds that will allow us to build a truly transformative theatre on par with front range facilities and establish CMU as a regional cultural destination.

Fundraising Goal

$8 million

Donation Options

Legacy Circle

Under $500 to $100,0000

A tiered donation option starting with website recognition up to season tickets and more.

Founder's Circle

$100,000 to $6 million

Donate to the Founder's Circle for naming rights, VIP ticketing and parking to all performing arts events.

Make a donation online

Or you can call the Colorado Mesa University Foundation at 970.248.1902

The Numbers

$39.5M State Funding + $5.5M CMU Capital Funds + $8M Capital Campaign = $53M Project

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A tale of two Colorados 

Addressing the urban-rural divide

Boom and bust cycles have wreaked havoc on rural Colorado and the Great Recession of 2008 was no different, resulting in declining population, wages and jobs and a rise in domestic violence, poverty and crime. Over half of our students qualified for free and reduced lunch. While the Denver metro corridor was the first area of the country to recover, it took a full decade for Grand Junction’s economy to reach pre-recession levels. The third quarter of 2019 was the first time in Grand Junction’s history where the number of oil and gas jobs declined, while our overall job and population growth and household income grew. While we are incredibly proud of the work we have done to diversify our economy, we still lag far behind state averages.

The map provided shows the urban-rural divide in Colorado, in which most performing arts centers are located along the I-25 corridor.

The power of the arts

Bridging the divide

Some say our country has never been more divided, whether through race, gender, political affiliation or even whether to get vaccinated or not. Throughout history, the arts have served as our conscience, helping all of us tackle difficult issues in creative ways and to provide shared experiences that bring us closer to each other.

Our ability to connect with each other grows when we experience collective emotion through the arts. Help us support the arts in our local community, success for our students and cultural advancement on the western slope of Colorado.

Panel discussion: President Marshall sat down with diversity, inclusion and equity expert Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod, theatre arts department head Mo LaMee and students Isabel and Lauren to discuss the power of the arts and how they bring people together like few things do.

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An Iconic Project 

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Rebuild Benefits 

The Ripple Effect

Cultivating talent

Three-time Grammy Award-winning artist and CMU alumnus, Kalani Pe'a, uses his talents to harness the power of the arts.

"Being a student at CMU was amazing, to learn from my peers and professors. I believe in the music department and the program and I believe in the education. I'm using my degree today!"
- Kalani Pe'a

Music student
Theatre student
Dance student
Backstage student