Boulder, CO (May 2, 2025) – The Dairy Arts Center is proud to announce an exciting new chapter for Creative Nations, a dedicated gallery for Indigenous artists within the Dairy’s multidisciplinary arts facility, as the space transitions into the leadership of Create àyA, a nonprofit co-founded by artist and cultural advocate Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, with her husband, Rafael Maldonado Bad Hand.
This milestone moment comes four years after a visionary conversation first took place at the Dairy Arts Center, where a group of Indigenous artists gathered to imagine what a truly inclusive, dedicated space for Native creativity could look like.
Launched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Creative Nations’ inaugural project, “Sing Our Rivers Red,” was a powerful exhibition that brought critical attention to the disproportionate violence faced by Indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada. Curated by Danielle SeeWalker and JayCee Beyale, the show catalyzed a wave of attention and support from arts, culture, and government institutions. The impact of that first exhibition was immediate. Rocky Mountain PBS ran an in-depth segment on the show, and the momentum continued to build.
Since then, Creative Nations has produced numerous exhibitions, concerts, comedy shows, and art markets, becoming a beacon for Indigenous cultural expression in Colorado and beyond. In 2022, the founding members convened in Estes Park for a retreat to reflect and strategize. Out of that retreat came the idea of establishing a standalone nonprofit, granting Creative Nations the autonomy and independence originally envisioned. The decision to partner with an established nonprofit, led by Native artists, accomplishes this goal while fortifying the infrastructure of the Creative Nations with Create àyA’s existing resources, network, and history of success.
As of today, the nonprofit Create àyA will assume full management of the Creative Nations gallery space at the Dairy. Committed to empowering marginalized artists and fostering cultural reconnection through the arts, Create àyA’s work aligns strongly with the vision for Creative Nations. Current Creative Nations advisory board members Walt Pourier and Bruce Cook will continue to help guide the work.
Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, Create àyA’s co-founder and a Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee artist, brings a wealth of experience and passion to this role. She is currently an artist-in-residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center and is also the visionary behind àyA Con, Colorado’s annual Indigenous Comic and Arts Festival, which is hosted by Create àyA.
“We are honored and excited to bring new opportunities and collaborations under Create áyA and take on leadership of Creative Nations,” said Kristina and Rafael Maldonado Bad Hand. “We appreciate the Dairy for their support and enthusiasm in this partnership. We can’t wait to get started!”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kristina and Create àyA into this leadership role,” said Melissa Fathman, the Executive Director of the Dairy Arts Center. “Their vision and commitment align beautifully with the original mission of Creative Nations, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”
This transition marks a sustainable and community-rooted future for Creative Nations, ensuring that Indigenous artists continue to have a powerful platform for storytelling, cultural exchange, and artistic innovation.
For more information, contact Brandi Numendahl (Dairy Arts Center Marketing Director) at bnumedahl@thedairy.org or Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand (Create àyA Co-Founder) at ayacondenver@gmail.com.
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About Create àyA
Our non-profit is dedicated to empowering marginalized artists by supporting their career growth, fostering deep cultural reconnection, and challenging the colonial narratives that shape data and representation. We aim to create a more equitable art ecosystem that honors diverse cultural histories, promotes artistic innovation, and facilitates profound intentional community building.
About the Dairy Arts Center
Founded in 1992, the Dairy Arts Center is a nonprofit organization which strives to connect a dynamic and diverse community to create inspiring and engaging experiences in the performing, cinematic and visual arts.
With its 42,000 square foot facility, the Dairy is Boulder’s largest multidisciplinary art center, housing disciplines ranging from visual arts, theater, and film to dance, comedy, and music, complete with award-winning art galleries, performance venues, teaching studios, offices, rehearsal spaces, dance studios, and a 70-seat art-house cinema.