Public Art in Crested Butte
Crested Butte is home to a wide variety of unique public art installations. Some public art pieces have taken shape organically in the community, while others have been commissioned by the Town of Crested Butte through the Arts in Public Places Policy.
Take a public art tour! Take a walking (or biking) tour through Crested Butte to view the unique public art throughout the Creative District. Through this story map, you’ll learn about the fascinating history behind each installation as you immerse yourself in Crested Butte’s creativity. The history and narrative of each public art installation was compiled by Karen Janssen and the photography was created by Xavi Fane.
About the Crested Butte Creative District
In 2016, Crested Butte was designated as a certified Creative District through the State of Colorado. The Creative District Certification process focuses on defining specific geographic areas that can attract artists and creative entrepreneurs to a community, infuse new energy and innovation and enhance economic and civic capital. Creative Districts are hubs of economic activity, enhancing the area as an appealing place to live, visit and conduct business, as well as generate new economic activity. Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the State's Office of Economic Development, administers the Colorado Creative District program and offers vetted Districts access to grant funding, tailored technical assistance, networking and training programs and access to advocacy tools.
In Crested Butte, the Crested Butte Creative District is administered as a partnership between the Town of Crested Butte and the Center for the Arts. A Creative District Commission housed under the Center for the Arts focuses on creative arts advocacy, programming and partnerships while a Public Art Commission under the authority of the Town of Crested Butte administers the Town's Arts in Public Places Policy.
Learn more about the Creative District by clicking here.
Public Art Commission
Ordinance No. 36, Series 2019 established a Public Art Commission. The Public Art Commission administers the Town’s Arts in Public Places Policy (AIPP) and oversees the implementation and maintenance of Public Art in the Town of Crested Butte. The Public Art Commission is a partner with the Crested Butte Creative District, a certified Colorado Creative District.
View the AIPP policy by clicking here.
View the Public Art Commission guidelines by clicking here.
The Public Art Commission is comprised of five members plus one Town Council liaison, one Center for the Arts liaison, and one Town Staff administrator:
Interested in joining the Commission? Click here to learn more and apply.
| Regular Members | Term Expires |
| Chad Reich | 2023 |
| Mimi Mather (Chair) | 2023 |
| Mary Tuck | 2023 |
| Beth Buehler | 2023 |
| Neil Windsor | 2024 |
| Stephanie Helleckson | Center for the Arts Liaison |
| Anna Fenerty |
Town Council Liaison |
| Mel Yemma, Long-Range Planner | Town Staff Administrator |
| Madison Manning, Planning Technician | Town Staff Administrator |
For more information on the Public Art Commission, please contact planning@crestedbutte-co.gov