About Us
What is CRANE?
The Creative Alliance of Manitou Springs (CRANE) is more than a title - it’s a movement. As a state-certified Creative District, CRANE fuels economic vitality by championing the artists, makers, performers, and visionaries who shape our community. In collaboration with local partners, we support creative industries, draw in curious visitors, and preserve the cultural, historic, and natural soul of Manitou Springs - all while building a thriving, art-infused economy.
Manitou Springs earned its Colorado Creative District designation in 2017, a recognition that reflects the remarkable concentration of arts organizations, cultural programming, and community-driven investment that defines our town.
Board Members
Farley McDonough
Board Chair
Owner, Adam’s Mountain Cafe | President, URA | MSURA Board Member
Ralph Routon
Vice Chair
Colorado Springs Business Journal/Colorado Springs Independent (retired)| Manitou Springs Arts Culture & Heritage (MACH) Board Chair | Manitou Springs Resident
Edie Greene
Secretary
Professor Emerita of Psychology, UCCS |Manitou Springs Resident
Leslie Lewis
Treasurer
Executive Director, Visit Manitou (Retired)
Kolleen Johnson
Board Member
Executive Director of Secondary School, D-14 | Manitou Springs Resident
Fred Darpino
Board Member
Artist, Fred Darpino Studio & Gallery Owner
Julia L Wright
Board Member
Artist | Commonwheel Arts Festival Organizer | Manitou Springs Resident
Mary Snyder
Board Member
Graphic Artist | Community Volunteer | Manitou Springs Resident
Amy Kerr
Board Member
Graphic Artist | Community Volunteer
Taylor Trask
Board Member at Large
Director of Strategy, Best Practice Media | Filmmaker | Manitou Springs Resident
Partnerships Are Everything
We work through community partnerships that activate both public and private assets. We build and support programs that connect arts, cultural, and heritage projects with businesses, city government, and community development efforts. All of our projects and programs are the result of needs indicated by our artists, creative nonprofits and business and gallery owners. We strive to build investment in our creative community: One hundred percent of our artists and other creatives are compensated for their work.
Creative Alliance Manitou Springs is funded primarily by grants and the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau & Office of Economic Development through partnership with the City of Manitou Springs. We operate as a State-Certified Colorado Creative District under the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). OEDIT certifies communities that contribute to the state’s economy through creativity, culture, and the arts. The program’s goal is to help communities increase jobs, incomes, and investments in creative places like Manitou Springs.