144: Arts and Culture in the Pikes Peak Region

Unite Your World with the Arts! Some people might think that the concept of sustainability means only environmental sustainability. While sustainability does include nature and the environment, it also encompasses society or community, economy, and individual well-being. Arts and culture represents one aspect of social sustainability that sustains and improves our quality of life, which we explore through the region's leader in arts and culture, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.

Angela Seals, Executive Director of COPPR, provides an update on the 10-year cultural plan for the Pikes Peak Region: Arts Vision 2030. Ms. Seals tells us about October Arts Month activities and initiatives around the region coming in October.

The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (a.k.a. COPPR) is the nonprofit local arts agency that serves the City of Colorado Springs and the greater Pikes Peak region (El Paso and Teller Counties). The Cultural Office works to ensure that the creative sector grows in economic vitality and depth of impact, that creative workers can thrive in our community, and that the arts are leveraged to positively address regional economic development, education, cultural tourism, and quality of life.

Angela Seals is a creative leader, project manager, public programs designer, and speaker with 20 years of experience working at arts nonprofits. She has worked with the Cultural Office in a variety of roles since 2013. Angela has built a reputation for dynamic and collaborative impact across her career in Colorado Springs and at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust / Pittsburgh Dance Council, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, D.C. She has been honored with awards for her service to the field, including the 2024 Women of Influence Award from Colorado Springs Business Journal and the 2022 Juneteenth Community Award from Pikes Peak Diversity Council.

LINKS:

October - Arts Month, download digital passport: https://artsoctober.com/

Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region: https://www.culturaloffice.org/

Peak Radar: https://peakradar.com/

Arts Vision 2030: https://www.culturaloffice.org/artsvision2030/

Concrete Couch: https://www.concretecouch.org/

Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts: https://www.smokebrush.org/

Smokebrush Farm: https://www.facebook.com/smokebrushfarm

Visit Colorado Springs: https://www.visitcos.com/

This episode was recorded at the Sustainability in Progress (SIP) virtual event on September 17, 2025. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Join us (free) the third Wednesday of every month. The next event is:

Bright Idea: Conserving Energy

October Sustainability in Progress

Hosted by Pikes Peak Permaculture

Join virtually or in person

October 15th, Noon to 1:15

In-person at UCCS Downtown, 102 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs

Virtually on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX1btxPC1BY

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