Art in the Suburbs

More than three decades ago, a large swath of land south of Denver became a new master-planned residential community called Highlands Ranch with home-lined streets, multiple schools, four recreation centers, ample open space, community parks and a town center.

The Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) worked to create robust community offerings, classes, sports and fitness activities. However, with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and a majority of fine arts galleries some 20 miles away, there was little nearby access to high-quality cultural events and exhibits. The idea of forming its cultural committee was born. The Cultural Affairs Association (CAA) launched in 2001 as a nonprofit organization providing low-cost entertainment programming, including art, music, dance and theater events.

“We wanted to have something similar to downtown Denver and make it accessible to the folks living out here. The CAA focuses on bringing awesome arts programming to the suburbs,” says community events manager Sarah Mirick, who’s worked with the HRCA for three years.

Events organized by the CAA include family magic shows, Chinese New Year celebration, comedy nights, a summer concert series, Highlands Ranch Pioneer Days and Oktoberfest.

On March 5, the Chamber Music Society of Greater Denver will begin its first-ever residency with performances and activities scheduled at the Wildcat Mountain Auditorium. On April 17, CAA presents a night of music at the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion. Events are available to residents and non-residents, some ticketed and others free of charge.

“We really try to bring a diverse range of programming to the community. We challenge ourselves to stay current and reflect what the community is interested in and to find ways to offer something new and different,” Mirick says.

In addition to cultural events, the association also offers Art Encounters, a Douglas County project designed to encourage interest in art with an outdoor sculptural exhibit in various media and styles displayed throughout Highlands Ranch.

The lobby of the Northridge Recreation Center houses a permanent exhibit of four canvas fine art paintings entitled “Metamorphosis” by local artist James Holmes. It was initiated by Girl Scout Gold Award recipient Grace Bielefeldt, a survivor of the 2019 Highlands Ranch school shooting, to express the cycle of healing through the four seasons.

“It’s a very special project and probably the most important work I’ve done because it’s touched so many people,” Holmes says. “It’s a wonderful thing for the community and says a lot about the HRCA having the willingness to commit that space to a work of art and make it an opportunity for people to heal.”

The Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization funded in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), which supports arts as well as cultural and scientific organizations within the Denver area through a voter-approved penny sales tax on every $10 purchase. The CAA also accepts donations that can be made on the HRCA website.

Mirick says the goal is to align the CAA with the HRCA mission statement of “Enhancing property values and creating quality of life through recreation, community events and leadership” and to offer exciting cultural events for residents and surrounding members of the Highlands Ranch area.

“We have something for everyone,” Mirick says. “It’s a great way for folks to meet people, engage with their community and enjoy living here.”

Visit hrcaonline.org for more information.