Springs and Things

The Colorado Springs Arts Wave That's Only Getting Bigger

August 18, 2026·35 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Carly sits down with Joy Armstrong, curator of art at GOCA (the Galleries of Contemporary Art), and Matt Giles, general director at Theatreworks, both housed inside the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS. Together they unpack why the Colorado Springs arts scene has shifted from safe and traditional to bold, risky, and genuinely alive.In this episode:How Colorado Springs arts and culture has transformed over the past 20 yearsGOCA's current exhibition, Simulacra, and why contemporary art doesn't have to be intimidatingThe Radiant Blue Marble collaborative film event (August 29th) bringing five organizations togetherTheatreworks' bold 51st season, opening with Sweeney Todd, plus Sweat, Private Lives, and What the Constitution Means to MeWhy every UCCS student gets a free ticket to every Theatreworks showHow the Ent Center is cultivating the next generation of arts loversWhy locals no longer need to drive to Denver for a great night outPlus, Joy and Matt share their Colorado Springs picks of the week: a downtown museum rewriting the stories it tells, and a coffee-shop crawl worth lacing up your shoes for.Whether you're an arts lover, a Springs local, or brand new to town, this one's a celebration of a creative community on a serious upswing.WE LOVE OUR SPONSORSVanguard Aesthetics: Skincare treatments with real, noticeable results.Core Collective: Our favorite spot for pilates! Use code SPRINGSANDTHINGS for 3 classes for $30.Enjoying the show? Leave a five-star review and share this episode with a friend you want to take to the Ent Center.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

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