Across cultures and generations, the fine arts uniquely capture our imagination in unforgettable ways. The Library’s Pikes Peak Culture Pass program connects Library users with the arts with no-cost passes to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (FAC). For over 100 years, the FAC has been a popular cultural attraction in the Pikes Peak region, offering world-class art, Broadway-worthy theater, and arts education for all ages and abilities. The FAC, as it’s fondly called, has partnered with PPLD to share arts and culture through Pikes Peak Culture Passes since the program first began in March 2020.
Culture Pass holders can explore an array of permanent and travelling exhibits at the museum but there is so much more under the roof of this 132,286 square-foot facility. The Fine Arts Center is one of the only multi-discipline arts institutes in the nation, offering a museum, theatre, and art school all in one location. The FAC regularly hosts programs throughout the year such as artist talks, First Friday music and events, and annual cultural celebrations such as its Día de Muertos celebration. This spring, the Library is collaborating with the FAC on a local exhibition as well.
“We are excited to partner once again with PPLD this spring for our upcoming Clarence Shivers: Experimenting with Form museum exhibition,” said Kim Sweeney, membership manager at FAC. The exhibition will showcase work by local artist Clerence Shivers. This is a well-suited collaboration, as PPLD has a deep connection to the Shivers Family, hosting many concerts by jazz legend and philanthropist Peggy Shivers over the years. This exhibit opens on Fri., Feb. 2 and will feature over 30 works, paintings, prints, and sculptures that offer an expansive view of Clarence Shivers’ prolific career.
The FAC offers Museum Free days twice a month on the second Saturday and third Friday of each month. If you want no-cost entry on another day that they are open, check out a Culture Pass and enjoy your time exploring this cultural attraction.
Pikes Peak Library District library cardholders have made great use of the Culture Pass program, checking out 3,192 no-cost passes in 2023 alone! The Fine Arts Center is one of 12 Culture Pass partners that you can explore. Use your library card to check out a pass today!
What does a region’s history look like through the lens of people who are often left out of a community’s archived history? Come find out with We Have a Story: Homelessness in Colorado Springs. This powerful documentary project showcases in a gallery the unique perspectives of three young adults experiencing homelessness and a caseworker who serves them through photography that captures this complex and diverse community. Join us at East Library for the reception of the gallery on Sat., Jan. 20 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
Over the course of one month in the Summer of 2023, participants took photos from their perspectives. They learned digital photography skills from a professional photographer and came together to critique and evaluate their photographs. They also met with a historian to conduct oral interviews capturing their experiences.
Each participant selected their four best photographs for the gallery, which will be on display at different PPLD locations each month. A written artist story accompanies each photo to delve more deeply into each individual’s perspectives.
The We Have a Story traveling exhibit will continue traveling in 2024, starting at East Library in January, Rockrimmon Library in February, and finishing at the Manitou Arts Center (MAC) in March.
Kick off your New Year’s resolutions with the Library! Whether you want to save more money, learn a new language, get fit, enjoy more family time, or any other resolution for a new you in 2024, PPLD has you covered. To help you stick to your resolution, download the PPLD habit tracker and year-long calendar. They will help you get started on your new habits and track your progress. Use your library card to access PPLD resources and meet your goals head on!
Save Money
Your library card is your ticket to saving money throughout the year. Here are a few ways you can start saving today!
- Get your library card for access to no-cost services and resources
- Ditch expensive subscriptions, stream TV shows and movies on Hoopla at no cost
- Skip costly recording studio fees by using PPLD’s studios for video and audio production
- Learn new skills at no cost by taking video courses on LinkedIn Learning
Enjoy More Family Time
Your family deserves to spend quality time together doing things everyone loves. Here are a few ways that the Library can support your bonding time!
- Connect by reading picture books together (or use eBook picture books on Tumblebooks)
- Settle in for family movie nights with movies downloaded from Kanopy
- Spark friendly family competition with board games, lawn games, and video games
- Come to PPLD programs and events for all ages each month
Get Fit
Building new health and fitness habits can be tough at first, but you’re not alone. Here are a few ideas to help you get started on your fitness goals!
- Get in touch with your body during PPLD’s yoga classes at Library 21C, Rockrimmon Library, and online
- Develop healthy eating habits with nutrition books
- Get in shape with dance and fitness videos on Hoopla and Kanopy
- Level up your workout with no-cost music streaming on Freegal
Learn a New Language
¡Hola! Hallo! Bonjour! Learning a new language is a great way to prepare for a trip, connect with friends and family, or keep your mind sharp. Here are a few resources at the Library to support your learning this year!
- Plan or join language meetups in PPLD’s meeting and study rooms
- Complete engaging lessons on the Mango Languages app
- Explore a variety of language learning books
- Learn cultural information through CultureGrams Online (requires a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of Library locations)
Whatever your New Year’s resolutions involve this year, your Library is here to support your efforts. Learn more about what your library card can do for you!