Arts Month Overview
October is Arts Month
Our local Arts Month initiative coincides with National Arts & Humanities Month, which was established in 1993 and is observed every October throughout the United States. This national program was initiated to encourage Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of participation. Over the years, it has become the nation’s largest collective annual celebration of the arts.
October 2013 was the first time that Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region joined in this national effort. Under the leadership of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, our local Arts Month takes the form of a coordinated awareness, advocacy, and community engagement campaign. The goals are to raise the visibility of the area’s creative sector, showcase local artistic talent, and highlight the many arts & cultural experiences that are taking place across the Pikes Peak region during the month of October (and, honestly, all year!)
Theme Weeks
Although our local Arts Month celebration is embraced with equal energy and excitement during all thirty-one days of October, for planning and promotional purposes, the month is divided into four discipline-specific Theme Weeks:
- WEEK 1: Visual & Culinary Arts (October 1-10)
- WEEK 2: Theater & Film (October 11-17)
- WEEK 3: Poetry, Prose & Comedy (October 18-24)
- WEEK 4: Music & Dance (October 25-31)
Targeted marketing and a diverse offering of local events and activities help generate and sustain robust community engagement throughout the entire month. Regardless of what Theme Week it is, we invite you to “Be There When It Happens” this October and experience the richness of our local arts community!
Get Involved
One of the best things about Arts Month is there is something for everyone and infinite ways to connect to the arts in El Paso and Teller counties.
- Explore the full calendar of EVENTS for Arts Month 2026.
- Leverage the TOOLKIT to become an Arts Advocate, bring an Arts Month lesson into a classroom, or share campaign ads with your friends and network.
- Use #ArtsOctober to share your Arts Month experience on social media–your posts may get featured on our Homepage during October!
- Play the Arts Month Passport game during October to win prizes! Check back soon for more details.
Thank you, and Enjoy!
Experience Colorado Springs in a whole new way!
Creative Stays is video series to attract cultural tourists to the Pikes Peak region during Arts Month and throughout the year. The series features 13 weekend getaway itineraries curated by diverse local creatives recommending some of their favorite places to stay, attractions, restaurants, activities, hidden hangouts, and not-to-miss cultural destinations!
This video features Colin Christie, graphic designer, owner of Neon Pig Creative and local arts advocate. Look for others embedded throughout ArtsOctober.com and on PeakRadar.com.
For Local Artists
and Arts Organizations
If you’re producing a creative event that takes place during the month of October, then you can be a part of Arts Month 2026! However, your event or activity must open to the general public (whether free or ticketed), and must be in alignment with our INCLUSIVENESS STATEMENT.
To participate in Arts Month, you’ll have to list your October event for free on www.PeakRadar.com. Once listed, it will automatically display on this website’s EVENTS page. Getting your October events and activities listed is free and easy, and you’ll be helping to make Arts Month 2026 even bigger and better! If you need assistance, please email support@peakradar.com.
