SANGRE DE CRISTO ARTS & CONFERENCE CENTER

In 1972, the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center opened its doors with funding provided through a match between the federal Economic Development Agency and Pueblo County. In the past 43 years, we have enjoyed great success in achieving our mission, and have seen phenomenal growth in the process. The original two-building complex housed a single gallery, a 500-seat theater, studio/classroom spaces, a dance studio and a conference/banquet facility. In 1982, we completed our first expansion, funded by Puebloan Helen T. White, adding three galleries, a gift shop and a small children's museum. The latest expansion resulted in our wonderful Buell Children's Museum and Jackson Sculpture Garden. The Buell Children's Museum offers 7,500 square feet of interactive gallery space, a theater, a café and a gift shop. From an original staff of three and a budget under $100,000, the Arts Center now employs 23 full-time and 34 part-time employees—as well as 60 class instructors and 125 volunteers who work in many capacities—and has an annual budget of over $2 million. With the progressive addition of over 24,000 square feet to our original 65,500, the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center is now a stunning three-building complex, offering all of the arts for all of Southern Colorado.