Year established as a nonprofit: 1983
What does your organization do for Ouray County?
The Ouray County Performing Arts Guild’s mission is to bring in “the best possible entertainment” for Ouray County, including performers from around the country and the world. Fueled by memberships and grants, the organization brings musicians and dancers to perform in Ouray County, including the annual San Juan Chamber Music Fest and the Dave and Mary Wood Classical Concert Series.
OCPAG sponsors or produces concerts featuring performers across different genres, including everything from Grammy-nominated classical musicians to dance ensembles and a mariachi band.
OCPAG also provides scholarships to students from middle school through college to support lessons, camps and college tuition. Since 2006, OCPAG has given out more than $50,000 in scholarships.
What do you list as your greatest accomplishments in 2024?
In 2024, the guild awarded $5,600 in arts scholarships to 15 local students, 11 of whom are in middle school. This year, OCPAG had a record 19 applications for these scholarships.
OCPAG also sponsored or brought 15 regional touring events to Ouray County audiences, including the Ulysses Quartet and pianist Max Levinson at the chamber music festival, and Mariachi San Jose at the Fete de la Musique outdoor music event.
What are some goals or projects you have planned for 2025?
In addition to continuing the arts programming and scholarships, OCPAG is beginning to raise funds to replace the Yamaha grand piano used for performances at the Wright Opera House. Its ability to stay in tune has diminished over the years and it’s time to find a replacement. The exact amount needed has not been finalized, but the cost is estimated to be as much as $60,000.
OCPAG owns and maintains two grand pianos used for performances here in Ouray County – the second is located at the Ouray County 4-H Center. Both are available for musical performances for anyone at those venues.
OCPAG also plans to hold the San Juan Chamber Music Fest featuring the Ulysses Quartet from Aug. 1924 and the 2nd biannual San Juan Choral Festival from June 6-13, in addition to other performances throughout the year.
Tell us how the community can help you do more here in Ouray County.
We welcome memberships to OCPAG and part of our membership revenue will go toward building our fund for the piano replacement.
You can donate to OCPAG online, through ocpag. org, or you can also make a tax-deductible contribution with checks mailed to OCPAG at P.O. Box 14, Ouray, CO 81427.
Thank you to Hazel Stevens Price for verifying this information.
