The ZU Gallery has announced the launch of the ZU Arts Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local artists and creatives in Montezuma County. The first board meeting was held on Feb. 7.
The organization, founded by ZU Gallery owner and operator Jodi Jahrling, comes after four years of ZU Gallery in the community. ZU Gallery has hosted more than 400 events, 95% of which were free to the public, according to a press release.
Though they share part of their names, the ZU Arts Initiative will operate independently from ZU Gallery, which is known for its wine bar, live music venue, art gallery and photography studio. The initiative will partner with the gallery to expand support for local artists and community programs.
“ZU Gallery proved you can keep arts accessible to everyone while still paying artists what they deserve,” Jahrling said. “ZU Arts Initiative makes that permanent – a nonprofit that can pursue grants, accept tax-deductible donations and create programs supporting artists throughout their careers.”
The mission of the ZU Arts Initiative focuses on “building sustainable cultural infrastructure” in the Four Corners and Southwest Colorado. Priorities expressed by Jahrling include free and “radically affordable” community programming, fair artist pay, “local circulation of creative dollars” and increased community support.
The initiative also aims to help local artists earn living wages, provide free access to “professional-quality” events, encourage young people to consider creative careers and make Montezuma County a “cultural destination.”
The initiative will begin several programs in 2026.
The Musicians Mutual Aid Fund, the first of its kind in the county, will provide emergency help and support for working musicians facing medical emergencies, equipment needs, housing crises or similar challenges. Coupled with the aid fund is the One More Show pension program, which will offer monthly assistance to “seasoned” musicians who have dedicated “decades” to the area.
The Young Emerging Artists program will provide professional development for youths ages 13 to 24 who are interested in a career in the arts. The program will include paid performance, gallery exhibitions with artists keeping 100% of sales, mentorship, business skills workshops and additional support.
There will also be funding to maintain free community events like concerts, cultural celebrations, public art events and the listening room series. Individual artist grants will offer “no-strings-attached” support for creative work and experimentation, while the Failure Fund will annually support experimental ideas that are pitched and selected. The goal is to encourage risk-taking and innovation, regardless of the outcome.
The initiative will use a three-currencies membership model that treats money, time and in-kind gifts as equal currency.
The governing body includes Dana Willard as president, Katie Burnham as treasurer and Jahrling as executive director and secretary. A full board will be elected later.
“We're building sustainable infrastructure for Montezuma County's arts community that will last for generations,” Willard said. “ZU Gallery showed what's possible when community support meets radical commitment to artists. ZU Arts Initiative makes that model permanent and expandable.”
ZU Arts Initiative is sponsored by the Onward Foundation, which allows access to grants and tax-deductible donations from the start. Those who wish to learn more about the initiative’s financials can do so on the transparency page on its website at cortezarts.org/financials.
Because this organization is community-funded, organizers are seeking musician members for the mutual aid fund, supporters, shareholders and mentors for the youths program, according to the press release.
For more information, visit www.cortezarts.org or contact Jahrling at grow@cortezarts.org.
