A Little Free Art Library Brings Creativity to Downtown Cortez | LOR Foundation
In-Progress Engagement

A Little Free Art Library Brings Creativity to Downtown Cortez

  • Local Champion: A Cortez local
  • Date Funded: August 7, 2025
  • Grant Amount: $900

Many Cortez residents cannot afford original artwork from local artists, while community members lack accessible ways to share their own creative expressions with others. Seeing how successful Little Free Libraries had been in Cortez, the owner of ZU Gallery had the idea to create a similar concept for art. LOR’s funding helped her construct a weather-resistant library box outside the gallery where community members can leave and take free artwork. Located in Cortez’s arts district, the sidewalk installation will connect local artists with the community while providing an exhibition space that encourages creative participation.

This project is fiscally sponsored by Onward! A Legacy Foundation.

Contact our community officer in Cortez. Meet Nicci Crowley
More Engagement Solutions
Engagement / Libby Flooring Restores Libby’s VFW Hall After Disaster
Local Champion:
VFW Post 1548
Date funded:
May 29, 2026
Grant Amount:
$29,600
Engagement / Libby Office Equipment Connects Libby Residents with Support Services
Local Champion:
Love INC of South Lincoln County
Date funded:
May 19, 2026
Grant Amount:
$2,457
Engagement / Libby A Monument Celebrates Libby’s Logging Heritage
Local Champion:
A Libby local
Date funded:
May 15, 2026
Grant Amount:
$2,800
Engagement / Lander Permanent StoryWalk Brings Year-Round Outdoor Reading to Lander Families
Local Champion:
Lander Library Friends Association
Date funded:
April 30, 2026
Grant Amount:
$14,269
Engagement / Cortez Art Workshops Combat Isolation and Inspire Wonder in Cortez
Local Champion:
A Cortez local
Date funded:
April 27, 2026
Grant Amount:
$2,743
Engagement / Cortez Cooking and Wellness Classes Connect Cortez’s Hispanic Community
Local Champion:
Manos Unidas
Date funded:
April 21, 2026
Grant Amount:
$4,000

Share an Idea

If you have an idea for improving quality of life in Cortez or Monte Vista, Colorado; Lander, Wyoming; Libby, Montana; Questa or Taos, New Mexico; or Weiser, Idaho, use this form to start a conversation with us.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.