What We Do

Our Mission

Creede Musical Arts Collective (CMAC) exists to enrich and diversify the musical life of our rural mountain community by bringing world-class artists to Creede for performance, collaboration, and meaningful engagement.

Creede is already home to a nationally recognized theater company and a vibrant visual arts scene. We are proud to work alongside these institutions, building a collaborative ecosystem where artists and organizations support one another, and where audiences can experience a wide range of creative expression in one place.

Since our inaugural 2022 season, CMAC has grown from a small festival concept into a dynamic, year-round organization. What began with two festival weekends and a handful of guest artists has expanded into a full season of programming that includes multi-day festivals, pop-up concerts, educational offerings, community collaborations, and interdisciplinary events.

Today, our programming spans genres and settings, from mainstage concerts and intimate listening-room performances to outdoor events, barn dances, and unexpected pop-ups that meet audiences where they are. Visiting artists don’t just perform; they become part of the community through masterclasses, workshops, and informal interactions that make the arts feel accessible and alive.

A cornerstone of this growth is our HQ & Musical Commons, a year-round creative hub on Creede’s Main Street. This shared space offers rehearsal and gathering space, lessons, community events, and a free instrument lending library, removing barriers to participation and inviting everyone to engage with music in their own way.

Accessibility is central to everything we do. We believe the arts we cultivate here should be inclusive, never exclusive. Many of our events are free or donation-based, and ticketed performances are intentionally kept affordable (generally no more than $25, with free admission for children). We are equally committed to accessibility in experience, offering programming designed for all ages, backgrounds, and levels of familiarity with the arts.

Our work is rooted in connection: between artists and audiences, between genres and traditions, and between Creede and the broader artistic world. Whether it’s a classical musician collaborating with a jazz trio, a steel guitar master tracing musical lineage across cultures, or a child picking up an instrument for the first time, we aim to create experiences that are both excellent and deeply human.

As we look ahead, CMAC continues to expand its vision, developing extended artist residencies, increasing year-round programming, and deepening its role as a creative home for both visiting artists and the local community. At its heart, CMAC is about curiosity, collaboration, and the belief that transformative artistic experiences can happen anywhere, including right here in Creede.