Emily Grace King

Emily Grace King, formerly the Exhibitions Manager and Associate Curator at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities from 2018 - 2024, emerges as a beacon of inspiration and innovation in the arts community of Colorado. Her impact resonated deeply in our organization and the greater community, touching the lives of many artists, art appreciators, and art educators through her quiet leadership, collaborative spirit, and commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

During her tenure with the Arvada Center, Emily worked to increase the accessibility of the Arvada Center’s exhibition opportunities for regional artists by developing a free artist roster which serves to amplify diverse voices in the curatorial process. Her dedication to making exhibitions more holistically accessible through audio tours and Spanish translation exemplifies her unwavering commitment to ensuring that everyone can access and engage with the arts. Emily made gallery experiences accessible and welcoming to K-12 students across the Denver metro area by collaborating with the Arvada Center’s Education department. As a member of the Center’s IDEA Committee, Emily put conversations around inclusivity, equity, diversity, and access into practice, fostering a more vibrant community of belonging where the galleries were truly for all. 

An artist in her own right, Emily's behind-the-scenes leadership extends far beyond the walls of the Arvada Center. As the chair of the Arts and Culture Commission for the City of Arvada, Emily supports, cultivates, and advocates for a variety of arts, culture, and heritage opportunities throughout our community. She is also the founder of Art Drop Arvada, a community-based organization that hides art made by local creatives in public and community spaces. Through Art Drop Arvada, Emily has generated an innovative way for local art lovers and art makers in the community to connect and has created countless opportunities for artwork to be more accessible outside the walls of the gallery.

By helping to curate exhibitions that reflect the rich tapestry of human experience and implementing initiatives that break down barriers to access, Emily humbly paves the way for a more inclusive and equitable arts community in Arvada. Emily Grace King is a true unsung hero of the Arvada Center and the region’s arts community who deserves this opportunity to be acknowledged for all her efforts to move the visual arts forward!

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*Each organization nominated their honoree with an essay. Those essays are posted here, as submitted, to maintain the organization's unique voice and authenticity.

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