PRESS KIT

Boilerplate (Short)

ZU Arts Initiative is a pending 501(c)(3) nonprofit building sustainable cultural infrastructure in Montezuma County, Colorado. We provide free community programming, ensure fair artist compensation, and center radical inclusivity through democratic governance. Since our founding organization ZU Gallery opened in 2021, we've hosted 700+ events with 95% free to the public while maintaining living wages for all artists.

Boilerplate (Long)

ZU Arts Initiative builds sustainable cultural infrastructure in rural Southwest Colorado by providing free and radically affordable community programming while ensuring fair compensation for all artists.

Founded in 2025 and currently fiscally sponsored by Onward Foundation, ZU Arts Initiative operates programs including: the Musicians Mutual Aid Fund (providing $200/month pensions to seasoned artists), Individual Artist Grants ($500-$2,000 no-strings-attached support), Young Emerging Artists (YEA!) youth programming, Free Community Programming, and The Failure Fund (supporting beautiful experiments).

Our work builds on the proven track record of ZU Gallery, which has hosted 700+ events since September 2021 with 95% free to the public while maintaining fair compensation for all performing artists. We believe culture isn't a luxury—it's infrastructure. It's what makes us human.

ZU Arts Initiative operates through democratic governance with member-elected board seats, transparent financials, and community voting power on major decisions. One share equals one vote, whether contributed through money, time, or gifts.

Key Programs

• Musicians Mutual Aid Fund: $200/month pensions for seasoned artists + emergency grants
• Individual Artist Grants: $500-$2,000 no-strings-attached support prioritizing underrepresented voices
• Young Emerging Artists (YEA!): Youth programming treating young people as real artists
• Free Community Programming: Live music, art exhibitions, workshops, clubs—95% free to public
• The Failure Fund: $5,000 annual budget for beautiful experiments that might fail

Mission & Values

Mission: Build sustainable cultural infrastructure in Montezuma County through free programming, fair artist compensation, local investment, radical inclusivity, and community ownership.

Vision: Cultural thriving in rural Southwest Colorado where artists earn living wages, community members have free access to professional-quality programming, and the model inspires similar work nationwide.

Core Values: Radical Inclusivity • Fair Compensation • Community First • Local Investment • Collaboration • Excellence

Board of Directors

• Dana Willard, Board President: Long-time Cortez resident, artist, former small business owner
• Katie Burnham, Treasurer: Data analyst with financial accountability expertise
• Jodi Jahrling, Executive Director & Board Secretary: Founder of ZU Gallery, volunteer ED

About Jodi Jahrling

Jodi Jahrling is the founder of ZU Gallery and architect of ZU Arts Initiative. Since opening ZU Gallery in September 2021, she has built a proven model of free community programming with fair artist compensation, hosting 700+ events that serve thousands of community members annually.

Jodi brings extensive nonprofit leadership experience, having previously served as Executive Director of Minturn Community Fund and in marketing roles with United Way of Southwest Colorado. She operates under the title "ZU Keeper" and is committed to building sustainable cultural infrastructure in rural communities.