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Getting Creative

Getting Creative

Getting Creative: Arts education is struggling in many Colorado communities. Meet the people who are keeping it vibrant.
11-year-old Sam poses with the guitar she got as a birthday present. Her parents signed her up for free guitar lessons through Prescription for the Arts, a Steamboat Spring initiative that aims to improve youth wellbeing through the arts.
Leigh Paterson
/
KUNC
News
Want to feel better? In Steamboat Springs, you could be prescribed guitar lessons or drawing classes
Leigh Paterson
As arts education becomes more limited in some schools, arts programs for wellness are launching around the country. In Steamboat Springs, art experiences can now be prescribed as an antidote to stress or isolation.

A high school boy wearing a tan-colored tee shirt and a white baseball cap points to a black box on a table. It has a camera on top, and inside the box are cords and other technical equipment. Next to him is a man in a navy tee shirt with brown hair leaning down and fixing something inside the box. They're inside a wooden shack. To the right of them is a window with metal fencing in front of it.
Emma VandenEinde
/
KUNC
News
Colorado’s theatre programs are declining. Will career and technical education be the second act?
Emma VandenEinde
While some Northern Colorado schools aren’t fully funding traditional arts classes, like painting and choir, others are shifting their classes to be more career-focused.

Band teacher Aaron Carnahan is at the front of the band room leading students seated in a semicircle through a song.
Jennifer Coombes
/
KUNC
News
Music is making a comeback at this Colorado middle school
Rachel Cohen
The school in Brighton had no band program a few years ago. Now hundreds participate.

During band class Vikan Middle School Band Director Aaron Carnahan helps a student find a note on their instrument by demonstrating what part of the mouth to use.
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During band class Vikan Middle School Band Director Aaron Carnahan helps a student find a note on their instrument by demonstrating what part of the mouth to use.
Jennifer Coombes / KUNC
A band teacher is at the front of the classroom joking with students.
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Carnahan jokes with students during band class. He said building a thriving music program can often rest on a passionate teacher.
Jennifer Coombes / KUNC
A close up of a girl in a denim jacket playing the violin.
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Melody Lor plays the violin in the Vikan Middle School band. Next year, the school is starting a string orchestra.
Jennifer Coombes / KUNC
Band teacher Aaron Carnahan is at the front of the band room leading students seated in a semicircle through a song.
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Band Director Aaron Carnahan leads students at Vikan Middle School in Brighton through a song. Carnahan was hired at the school three years ago and has helped rebuild the band program.
Jennifer Coombes / KUNC
A high school boy wearing a tan-colored tee shirt and a white baseball cap points to a black box on a table. It has a camera on top, and inside the box are cords and other technical equipment. Next to him is a man in a navy tee shirt with brown hair leaning down and fixing something inside the box. They're inside a wooden shack. To the right of them is a window with metal fencing in front of it.
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Sophomore Cade Prather (left), points to the graphics system and gets instruction from teacher JD Jacob (right) on how to use it on May 5, 2025, in Loveland, Colo. They're working on producing a sports broadcast for the baseball game at Mountain View High School.
Emma VandenEinde / KUNC
A girl with short brown hair, orange dinosaur earrings and a long sleeve gray shirt leans down. Her back is to the viewer. Next to her is a boy with brown hair wearing a light grey tee shirt and black pants. He is reaching into a camera bag. Behind them is a black tripod standing up, and behind that is a baseball diamond.
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Freshman Levi Frietag (right) helps another student take out cameras, tripods, and other equipment for their sports broadcast. The students have only made a few practice broadcasts, but in the fall, they'll be able to cover football and girls' volleyball as part of Jacob's sports broadcasting class.
Emma VandenEinde / KUNC
Students receive recognition for their achievements in school productions at Mountain View High School's drama awards on May 19th, 2025, in Loveland, Colo.
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Students receive recognition for their achievements in school productions at Mountain View High School's drama awards on May 19th, 2025, in Loveland, Colo.
Jennifer Coombes / KUNC
Students receive recognition for their achievements in school productions at Mountain View High School's drama awards on May 19th, 2025, in Loveland, Colo.
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Students receive recognition for their achievements in school productions at Mountain View High School's drama awards on May 19th, 2025, in Loveland, Colo.
Jennifer Coombes / KUNC
11-year-old Sam poses with the guitar she got as a birthday present. Her parents signed her up for free guitar lessons through Prescription for the Arts, a Steamboat Spring initiative that aims to improve youth wellbeing through the arts.
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11-year-old Sam poses with the guitar she got as a birthday present. Her parents signed her up for free guitar lessons through Prescription for the Arts, a Steamboat Spring initiative that aims to improve youth wellbeing through the arts.

Leigh Paterson / KUNC
Sam takes a guitar lesson with her teacher, Adam Petty, at the Wildhorse Cinema + Arts in Steamboat Springs.
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Sam takes a guitar lesson with her teacher, Adam Petty, at the Wildhorse Cinema + Arts in Steamboat Springs.
Leigh Paterson / KUNC