City: Colorado Springs, CO

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (719) 255-3504

Address: 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy.

Description: Located both on the campus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and in a downtown studio space (121 S. Tejon St.), the Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA) features exhibitions of national and international contemporary art along with related popular programming ranging from lectures to occasional concerts and even films. The campus site opened in 1981 to showcase not only the works of professional artists, but also the endeavors of the faculty and students of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. The downtown location opened in 2010 and features works by local artists as well as international ones. The primary mission of the GOCA is to provide significant contemporary visual art exhibitions, related programming, and forums for discussion on contemporary culture to both the university and to the community of the Pikes Peak region at large. Perhaps more important, GOCA is a social place. Exhibitions are free and refreshments are plentiful at openings and other events. Conversation flows freely, and ideas are always welcome.