Please take a minute to read this article about the impact of the Affordable Arts Festival

The phrases ‘To impact one’s life’ or ‘Impacting the lives of others’ certainly take on multiple meanings in reference to the Affordable Arts Festival…

Jim DeLutes, the founder and director of the Affordable Arts Festival, states, “We all know art can impact people. From the artist who created it to the patron who is moved by it and finally, the impact it will have when displayed in the home of that patron.” The impact of the Affordable Arts Festival extends even further than the traditional artist/patron exchange. The Affordable Arts Festival impacts art patrons in a broader sense than the usual art festivals by allowing so many more people to be able to afford the art that they choose to buy.  The Affordable Arts Festival has thousands of art pieces from 165 artists for $150 or less. Art can now impact so many more people who might be priced out of owning art at other venues.

DeLutes, who has been in the art festival business for over 35 years, states, “The artists are also impacted by seeing so many people enthusiastically buying their work. The hope of most artists is to share their creations with as many people as possible.” The Affordable Arts Festival is the venue that is specifically designed to introduce more artists to a large number of art patrons.   The gratitude of being able to buy such wonderful art at such great prices, creates new art collectors dedicated to the artists for years to come. 

Then, there are the students at the Arapahoe Community College who are impacted by receiving scholarships from the proceeds of the admission tickets to the Affordable Arts Festival. DeLutes is pleased with this aspect of the festival. ”Over $290,000 has been raised since the show started in 2012 and we are so proud of the positive impact that those funds have on students who need some financial help.”

The one place where the Affordable Arts Festival doesn’t have an impact is your bank account or credit cards! “We are always thrilled to see so many happy shoppers.” These days, the Affordable Arts Festival may be the only place in the country where prices have not gone up!

There are numbers to back up the impact of the Affordable Arts Festival. Besides the $290,000 raised for the scholarships, the festival crowds have grown every year since its inception. The number of artists has grown from 115 to 165. The show is continually ranked in the top 40 (out of 600) shows in the country and art sales exceed $500,000 every year. “There is not another show of this caliber with art priced at $150 or less in the country!” DeLutes states. “Art lovers in Colorado have a unique opportunity with the Affordable Arts Festival.”