All-Indigenous Artists Collective Creative Nations Launches First Storyteller’s Festival To Develop Works For The Stage By Native Artists Sept 30-Oct 6th, 2024

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(Boulder, CO – May  8, 2024) – Creative Nations, an all-Indigenous-led artists collective founded at The Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, is thrilled to announce the inaugural First Storyteller’s Festival (FSF). This groundbreaking event is dedicated to nurturing works for the stage by Native artists and storytellers. FSF 2024 will take place from Sept. 30th through Oct. 6th at multiple locations across Boulder County.

The festival will feature a dynamic lineup of events designed to support and showcase the diverse talents of Native playwrights, musicians, poets, dancers, and other storytellers. Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of events including staged readings, panel discussions, workshop productions, and educational workshops aimed at training both current and future generations of Native theater artists.

Marty Strenczewilk, festival founder, Ojibwe playwright and Creative Nations Managing Director, expressed his excitement, saying, “As a playwright, I’ve always dreamed of being part of a festival built by Native artists that focused on developing work by Native artists. Being able to bring FSF to life has been something I’ve been working on for quite a long time and the outpouring of community support has been incredible. I believe FSF will serve as a vital platform for amplifying Native voices and stories.”

Melissa Fathman, Executive Director of The Dairy Arts Center, emphasized the center’s commitment to supporting Native artists and continuing to serve as a hub for engaging arts experiences. She stated, “We are honored to continue to support Creative Nations and thrilled to be part of its First Storyteller’s Festival. This festival aligns perfectly with our mission to promote diversity, inclusion, and artistic excellence. We look forward to providing a welcoming space for Native artists to share their talents and stories with the Boulder community.”

In addition to The Dairy Arts Center, FSF is proud to announce new partnerships with three major cultural institutions of the region: Colorado Chautauqua, the Longmont Museum, and CU Boulder’s Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies and its Department of Theater and Dance. These partnerships will further enhance the festival’s capacity to develop works and reach new audiences.

Tickets for FSF 2024 will be available at a later date. In the meantime, mark your calendars and join us in Boulder for an exciting week celebrating the rich tapestry of Native storytelling and creativity. Visit https://www.firststorytellersfestival.org/ for festival updates, including ticket sales.

About Creative Nations

Creative Nations’ Sacred Space is a permanent onsite establishment for Indigenous Artists at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, Colorado. The goals at Creative Nations are to create a space for creation and collaboration, as well as foster opportunities for all Indigenous artists to thrive. All donations given to Creative Nations will be put towards causes, projects, and programming that benefit Native arts.

For more information, visit: https://thedairy.org/creative-nations-art/ 

About the Dairy Arts Center

The Dairy Arts Center is Boulder’s largest multi-disciplinary arts venue, hosting an array of theatrical performances, concerts, visual art galleries, films, comedy, dance productions, and more within 42,000 square feet of newly-renovated facilities. The building’s transformation from a milk processing facility to an arts hub in 1992 is a nationally recognized example of constructive urban development and renewal. The Dairy houses three ultramodern live performance theaters, several studio art galleries, and an 80-seat art-house cinema. From weekly events like Friday Night Weird to community gatherings, creativity is always being celebrated at the Dairy.  

For more information, visit: https://thedairy.org

About Colorado Chautauqua
The Colorado Chautauqua preserves, perpetuates and improves the historic site and spirit of Chautauqua by enhancing its community and values through cultural, educational, social and recreational experiences. https://www.chautauqua.com/ 

About Longmont Museum
The Longmont Museum is a center for culture in Northern Colorado where people of all ages explore history, experience art, and discover new ideas through dynamic programs, exhibitions, and events. https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/museum/about-the-museum 

About the CU BoulderCenter for Native American and Indigenous Studies:

CNAIS promotes collaborative research, teaching and creative work focusing on both local and global Indigenous knowledge and values, and fosters wide ranging Native and Indigenous Studies projects that aim to open conversations both in Colorado and the world. https://www.colorado.edu/cnais/

About the CU Boulder Department of Theater and Dance

The Department of Theatre & Dance at CU Boulder provides students with the tools and space to become the next generation of citizens, professionals, and leaders in and through theatre, dance, and performance studies. https://www.colorado.edu/theatredance