Faith-Based Arts Collective Offers Dance and Visual Art Outreach in Colorado Springs Community Spaces

Cheri Orr and her husband, artist Kristopher Orr, have launched Jubilee Arts Collective, a faith-based nonprofit that brings dance and visual art to community spaces often overlooked by cultural exposure. The collective aims to connect people with God through creative expression, offering a unique form of ministry that blends art with spiritual outreach.

As the executive director of Jubilee Arts Collective, Orr emphasizes the transformative power of art and faith. “We’ll take it to people in places often unseen or overlooked and bring this as a gift,” she said. The organization’s mission is to provide more than a momentary experience; it seeks to invite individuals into a relationship with God that can bring about lasting change.

Orr’s background in dance and ministry informs Jubilee’s approach. She has been a member of Ormao Dance Company since 2001 and also teaches in its Dance for Parkinson’s outreach program. Jubilee is a rebrand of Open Sky Colorado, a faith-based dance company she has led for two years. This experience has equipped her to lead the new collective with a deep understanding of both art and spiritual outreach.

Jubilee offers a free concert at The Road @ Chapel Hills, showcasing its commitment to community engagement. The collective also extends its visual arts outreach, featuring group shows themed around the gospel and restoration. Artists visit community spaces to share their work and provide opportunities for others to create, furthering the mission of connecting people through art and faith.

Southern Colorado Youth for Christ, a ministry for troubled youth, has sponsored Jubilee for about a year. The organization has brought its dance program to four of its facilities, marking the first time dance was introduced to these locations. “The kids really loved the program. They were receptive not just to the dancing, but to the testimonies and music,” said Executive Director Andrew LaValley. The experience highlights the impact of combining art with spiritual care in reaching vulnerable populations.

The six-person dance company, which includes Orr, regularly visits community spaces such as homeless shelters, churches, ministry events, and correctional facilities. During these visits, they perform minidance concerts, share personal testimonies about their faith journeys, and sometimes offer dance workshops. These interactions demonstrate the collective’s dedication to serving others through creative expression and spiritual connection.

At women’s prisons and youth treatment centers, the group has received positive feedback. “They want to show us more,” Orr said, noting the enthusiasm of those they serve. This response underscores the power of art and faith to touch lives and foster a sense of belonging in marginalized communities.

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