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About the BAC
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The Business of Art Center is designed to:
- Facilitate the development of the artistic and business skills of artists by providing subsidized studio space, art classes, workshops, and business instruction; which will enable the artists to earn a living from their art work.
- Increase public knowledge of art processes, art forms and issues through art exhibitions, lectures, tours, and demonstrations focusing on the tools, methods, and history of the art form.
- Provide a stimulating creative environment which will contribute to the understanding and pleasure of art.
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The Components of this program include:
Business Incubator - Offering low cost, equipped, shared studio space in a creative environment.
Business Institute - Offering a comprehensive business program taught by professionals in law, marketing, accounting, gallery relations, taxes, and public relations to improve artists business skills.
Art Institute - Offering classes, workshops, and seminars by regional and national artists.
Exhibition Galleries - Featuring works of art for public appreciation, study, and sale. Focusing on providing exposure for Colorado artists, and involving BAC studio artists in the practical issues of operating a gallery.
Gift Shop - Representing Colorado artists, which provides an opportunity for BAC studio artists to directly experience a retail business. The shop also provides earned income for the facility.
Educational Facility - Cultivating increased awareness and appreciation of the arts through education programs and interaction with artists.
Community Center - Serving Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak region and showcasing the rich cultural diversity of this area.
BAC History
The Business of Art Center was initiated in 1986 by Manitou Springs City Planner, Paul Intemann. He recommended that the Manitou Springs City Council support a business incubator for artists, using as a model the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Through a powerful and unprecedented effort which brought together people from all facets of the community - the Business of Art Center opened its doors in October of 1988.
The BAC is situated in two renovated landmark buildings in Manitou Springs National Historic District.
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Studio 513
The original building at 513 Manitou Avenue opened in 1988 and provides 13,000 square feet for 10 professionally equipped studios, 3 exhibition spaces, a retail shop, classrooms and office space. In addition, 12,000 exterior square feet provide space for parking, handicapped access, a kiln yard and sculpture garden.
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Venue 515
In 2001, a second building at 515 Manitou Avenue opened. This historically significant 12,000 square foot building features additional classrooms, meeting rooms, artists studios and office space. A central 2,500 square foot events room (Spencer Hall) hosts theater, music, conferences, receptions and special events. Additionally, there is a pocket history museum and incubator office space for several smaller non-profits.
Located in the historic town of Manitou Springs - a picturesque community of about 5,000, at the foot of Pikes Peak. The Business of Art Center is surrounded by vast mountain beauty, hiking trails, several creeks, mineral springs and the architectural diversity of the Manitou Springs Historic District providing an unsurpassed environment which has always attracted creative thinkers and artists.
BAC Campus
Studio 513 - Hagnauer Gallery
Virginia Ginny Hagnauer wrote the first check to the BAC when it was only an idea. From that point on she became our most consistent and faithful supporter. Year in and year out she gave of her time, heart and money. Ginny served on the BAC Board of Directors for years. Every month she would show up with her car loaded with boxes and packing materials for us to use in our gift shop. She would walk through the BAC, go into the gallery and say if you will come by my house and show me where I can hang this piece, I'll buy it. Upon her death she once again gave of herself. Ginny made possible much of our programming and helped fund our new building, Venue 515. Part of the sale of her estate went to the BAC and for that we will be forever grateful. Because of her appreciation of art, her love of the BAC and the importance of never forgetting all that she has done for us, we have decided to name our main gallery in her honor - the Hagnauer Gallery. Thank you Ginny!
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Venue 515
No more need to guess at the name of the new performance/community building at the BAC. Many names were suggested and much discussion took place. In the end, they chose the name Venue 515 (originally suggested by artist and teacher Chip Shaw). The Board feels this name reflects the performance nature of the building. Soon the name will be on the front doors and appear on documents related to the building.
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Spencer Hall
The hall inside Venue 515, which houses theatre, concerts and community events has been named Spencer Hall.
Spencer Penrose, creator of the Broadmoor, Pikes Peak Highway, and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, owned this building for his Pikes Peak Automobile Company, providing auto tours throughout the region for many years. El Pomar contributed $100,000 to help save this historic transportation building. In honor of Mr. Penrose and the El Pomar Foundation, we have chosen the name Spencer Hall.
Group Tours are Free and Encouraged.
Arrange a guided tour and demonstratons for your school or organization.
" New exhibitions every 4-6 weeks.
" More than 350 artworks on display.
" Watch Artists at work in several studios working in awide variety of media and styles.
" View works by regional & local artists and craftspersons.
" Excellent educational opportunities
Call the BAC at 719- 685-1861 to discuss details and set up a day and time for your visit.
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The café is now open Monday through Saturday 9am- 6pm. Canvas Café proudly serves specialty coffee drinks, locally brewed beers and international wines. The “Café” name was born with the addition of a light fare menu. Light fare includes a selection of homemade quiche, soups, Panini’s, and pastry’s.
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BAC Community Collaborations
During the past 18 years, the BAC has initiated creative collaborations with other organizations to address youth empowerment, juvenile justice, disenfranchised youth, aging, child development, and healthcare issues. BAC artists have served as creators, coordinators and participants by collaborating with schools, municipalities and community agencies.
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Some of the organizations with whom we have collaborated include: Workout, Ltd., Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center, Citizens Goals, Community Partnership for Child Development (Head Start), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Clayfest, Chins Up, Uncharted Area, Cleo Wallace, Colorado School for The Deaf and The Blind, Community Prep School of District 11, Educational Opportunity Program, McMasters Center (El Paso County Health Department), Manitou Art Project, University of Colorado, Beth - El College of Nursing, Pikes Peak Community College, Southern Colorado AIDS Project, Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Manitou Springs Art Academy, Nueva Ventura, City of Colorado Springs, City of Manitou Springs, School District 14, School Districts 11, 12, 20, Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration.
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The Colorado Springs area community is a much better place because the Business of Art Center is here. It is a breath of fresh air in this environment. Artists love the BAC. The organization presents innovative thematic exhibitions that feature many artists from the region with many new discoveries...Classes, workshops, and artists studios help guarantee that the BAC is always well populated by working artists. I have made a number of studio visits there to learn more of the artists work and have witnessed active classes of eager students. |
The unique approach to arts and education offered to the region by the Business of Art Center sets standards of excellence in ways other institutions cannot. Their vision that art is for everyone creates a non - threatening environment for the first time gallery visitor. The collaborations encouraged through associating with the BAC produce a cohesive arts community that is good for everyone in the Pikes Peak region. - Pikes Peak Arts Council President |
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In addition to creating a community of artists the BAC has three strengths: 1-studios for artists, 2- exhibition spaces 3-creativity & business skills workshops - all in an open to the public, friendly, anyone can join format. Finding art organizations with all of these is not an easy task. |
In one year, I have doubled my body of work, become a part of a genuine community of artists, established gallery representation, participated in 6 shows (including my first solo exhibition), taught classes, sold a number of pieces of art, and raised my level of professionalism - all of which directly came from my association with the Business of Art Center. - former BAC studio artist |
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