The Manitou Art Center (MAC), in partnership with the Creative Alliance Manitou Springs (CRANE), the Pikes Peak Bulletin and Visit Manitou Springs, announced the formation and call for applications for the Manitou Made Launchpad program. This initiative is the primary component of a larger retooling of the original Manitou Made platform.
“The Manitou Made campaign was launched in November 2018 for the purpose of providing Manitou merchants, restaurants and artists with a toolkit for promoting locally-made goods, services, food/brews and art,” said Natalie Johnson, executive director of the MAC. “The platform enabled Manitou/Pikes Peak region artists, merchants and restaurants to demonstrate pride in their work, showcase one-of-a-kind items, increase the sale of higher-end goods, connect residents and artists and tell a story that resonated with their customers.” Seven years into the initiative, it became apparent that artists’ use of the platform had decreased, and the costs to operate a website with such high functionality had become a burden on the Visit Manitou Springs budget. It was time to get creative.
“We got a committee together and began to reimagine how Manitou Made could serve our creative community,” said Johnson. Four projects were identified, with the Manitou Made Launchpad program at the top of the list. The MAC was in an ideal position to facilitate the program. “After the Manitou Springs Library moved back to the Carnegie building, we began reactivating spaces in our building, which led to a 700+ square foot makerspace becoming available to foster the Manitou Made Launchpad.”
The Manitou Made Launchpad program is geared toward small business owners who are facing obstacles to growing their businesses. “The obstacles to opening a new business in our community are substantial: high rent, limited space inventory downtown and sparse resources,” said Audrey Gray, executive director of CRANE. “Manitou Made Launchpad turns good business ideas into reality. This opportunity is the first step toward making the bigger leap to a downtown location.”
“When the MAC started out as the Business of Art Center in 1988, it also functioned as a launchpad for artists, professionals, makers and creatives to grow their business before expanding outward,” said Johnson. “With the Manitou Made Launchpad program, we are returning to our roots. This means equitable shared retail space for creatives.”
Entrepreneurs with a viable business plan in need of affordable retail space who are interested in business resources, educational opportunities and who want to work within the Manitou Art Center are ideal candidates. Applications are now open and will close on April 15. A jury will review applications and announcements will be made on April 20.
For small business owners interested in applying, visit manitouartcenter.org/ready2launch.
The MAC is partially funded by MACH, a 0.3% addition to the use and sales tax rates which goes to fund projects in Manitou Springs that enhance arts, community and heritage.
