RedLine is a proud partner and administrator of the Arts in Society grant. This collaborative program provides grants to both individuals and organizations that use art as a vehicle to promote social justice and community welfare.
We love highlighting our Arts in Society (AiS) grant recipients and all the unique and impactful projects made possible by their grant.
We’re excited continue this series with the 2024 AiS Grantee: The Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition!
Learn more about the Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition and how they’re revitalizing Northwest Aurora, a culturally rich community, through local business support, immigrant programs, and sustainable wealth-building initiatives!
Tell us about your organization
The Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition (AEOC) was formed in 2006 in response to the economic challenges that Northwest Aurora, or "Original Aurora," has faced since the mid-20th century.
Once a vibrant commercial hub, the area began to decline after the opening of Interstate-70 and the relocation of key city infrastructure. Despite the economic downturn, Northwest Aurora became a melting pot of cultures as immigrants and refugees moved into the community, enriching it with art, international cuisine, and diverse traditions.
The AEOC is dedicated to revitalizing the area by supporting local businesses, mitigating gentrification, and fostering long-term wealth-building opportunities for its residents. Through its efforts, the organization works to preserve the unique cultural fabric of Northwest Aurora while addressing issues like job creation, crime, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Truce Studios led by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Julie Jackson, teamed up with the AEOC to create the documentary America's Hidden Gem: Northwest Aurora. Jackson, born in Northwest Aurora, brings her deep connection to the community and her extensive filmmaking expertise to the project. Mateos Alvarez, Executive Director of the AEOC, served as Executive Producer, leveraging his knowledge and relationships within the community to provide crucial insights into the area’s challenges and successes.
Together, Jackson and Alvarez aim to highlight how conscious revitalization efforts, including micro-economic development and immigrant support programs, are transforming Northwest Aurora into a model for cities grappling with gentrification.
Tell us about your first project that will utilize your Arts in Society Grant
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Julie Speer Jackson, “America’s Hidden Gem: Northwest Aurora” takes viewers into the heart of a neighborhood where over 160 languages are spoken in its schools, and that claims a growing arts scene and cuisine from around the globe. Northwest Aurora, Colorado is a cultural hub that epitomizes the American dream.
The film follows the stories of five residents from different cultural backgrounds — a Mauritanian refugee, a first-generation Vietnamese American chef, an African American urban gardener, a Mexican Immigrant community leader, and a Korean American artist — all united by their passion for their community.
Our story also explores the challenges facing the NW Aurora community such as poverty, a growing transient population, rising housing prices, and encroaching gentrification while balancing historical context provided by historians, community leaders, and local stakeholders.
"America’s Hidden Gem" invites its audience to take a deep look into this often-disparaged community and to rediscover its incredible potential.
The creative team behind the production of “Hidden Gem” is proud to announce that this inspiring new film will soon be screening on Rocky Mountain PBS! Times and Dates remain to be determined, but those wishing to be updated can ask for a reminder by sending an email to HiddenGemDocumentary@TheAEOC.org or by following The Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition on Facebook.
You can learn more about (and watch the trailer to) "America's Hidden Gem: Northwest Aurora" by visiting www.ReImagineNWAurora.com.
The funds awarded by Arts in Society have helped the production by contributing to the funding of the film’s principle shooting and editing.
Those interested in learning more about “America’s Hidden Gem: Northwest Aurora” are encouraged to sign up for our emailing list at HiddenGemDocumentary@theAEOC.org, or to visit www.ReImagineNWAurora.com.
Information about future distribution of “Hidden Gem” and developments on the “ReImagine NW Aurora” campaign can be found be following the following social media platform accounts:
TikTok: The.AEOC
Instagram: @TheAEOC
LinkedIn
Facebook
What’s next in the pipeline for your organization? What other projects are you dreaming up for next year, and how will your Arts in Society grant help to support these efforts?
The Aurora Economic Opportunity, in collaboration with Truce Media, is spearheading the “ReImagine NW Aurora” campaign, which will encourage NW Aurora residents and Denver Metro denizens alike to see NW Aurora from a renewed perspective.
This project will combine unused assets recorded from the production of “Hidden Gem” with original content.
What was your experience like when applying for an AiS? What tips would you share with artists looking to apply for an Arts in Society Artist grant?
We found the application process very intuitive and straightforward!
We really appreciated the coaching call from Lares Feliciano, RedLine’s Arts Grants Manager. After our application was submitted, her feedback was invaluable and really made us feel appreciated for our efforts.
Arts in Society 2024 Grantee Highlight: The Word
Learn all about their Arts in Society project [margins.] Literary Conference and Book Festival, and how The Word explores and builds collective, equitable models for writing, publishing, and bookselling.
Administered by RedLine, Arts in Society (AiS) is a grant program supporting cross-sector work through the arts across Colorado.
