We bridge the gap between audience and artist, so that all feel welcome and are able to experience the arts in a deeper, more meaningful way.

With this simple yet galvanizing vision as a guide, Augustana Arts fulfils its mission to create opportunities to inspire and educate through music.

Augustana Arts began its pursuit for excellence and innovation in 1997 having begun as a program of Augustana Lutheran Church, presenting a broad range of classical music performances. The founding visionaries of this small but mighty organization recognized a longing in both the church community and the community at large for exceptional yet unique and diverse classical music concerts.

One year after establishing itself as an independent non-profit concert presenter, Augustana Arts founded Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra, meeting the need for a creative outlet for local talent. Year after year, the orchestra has grown both in artistry and aesthetics evolving into an expressive, contemporary music experience, prompting the name change in 2015 to Stratus Chamber Orchestra.

In 2002, City Strings (now Music Encounters) was founded to bring the power of music education to the least fortunate children in Metro Denver. Again, this group of visionaries saw a need and took action. Music Encounters began with borrowed instruments, a few students and a volunteer instructor. The program now serves 150 students in three counties through ten programs. Highly-trained and degreed professionals provide hope for a better future to the children in the community with the most barriers to success.

Over the years, Augustana has blossomed into an accomplished classical music organization with a reputation for excellence. Augustana Arts has remained steadfast and true to touching the lives of people in the community through high quality music arts experiences. Although small in stature Augustana Arts is a true community arts organization, proud of its ability to present significant artists at affordable prices.

Augustana Lutheran Church has remained a great friend and partner providing Augustana Arts with both office space and performance space. With breathtaking acoustics and a magnificent organ, Augustana Lutheran has been recognized as one of the most significant performance spaces in the Denver area.

Our Values and Beliefs

● We believe all are welcome here.

● We believe the arts are for everyone – no matter who they are or where they come from.

● We believe in making each performance a personal experience, not a passive one, allowing each concert to be more meaningful, more enriching, more transformational for those who join us.

● We believe an in-person interaction with the arts offers a more profound experience, speaking more clearly to the heart, mind and soul, than is possible through a screen or ear buds.

● We believe in creating art with you instead of at you. We aren’t inviting you to come watch us play music. We truly want you to come so we can create music FOR, and sometimes with, you.

● We believe we must redefine and reimagine the experience of classical music. For many, the traditional experience of classical music feels snooty, stuffy, and uninviting because of the unspoken rules about who is welcome, what to wear and how to act. We believe too many feel worried or embarrassed or have a distasteful experience which is keeping them from the joy of music. We are flipping the script by intentionally creating a welcoming, friendly and engaging experience for which all are welcome to enjoy and participate in whatever capacity/way feels most comfortable for them.