A Collaborative Partnership Program of the Manitou Art Center, Creative Alliance Manitou Springs, Visit Manitou Springs, and the Pikes Peak Bulletin; we shine a spotlight on our existing creatives and grow our new ones while investing in the spaces and resources that they need to thrive.

Our vision for Manitou Springs includes performance spaces, literary events and shops, an active culinary scene, a new generation of artists, and more. Manitou Made (MM) works to build and launch the future of our Manitou Springs creative community while creating sustainability for our current one.

When the MAC started out as the Business of Art Center in 1988, it also functioned as a launchpad for artists, professionals, makers, and creatives to grow their business before expanding outward. With the Manitou Made Launchpad program, we are returning to our roots. This means equitable shared retail space for creatives and equitable shared office space for professionals, in addition to supportive resources.

The obstacles to opening a new business in our community are substantial: high rent, limited space inventory downtown, and sparse resources. Manitou Made Launchpad turns good business ideas into reality. This opportunity is the first step toward making the bigger leap to a downtown location. While retail space is the primary opportunity, we also have small office spaces available for other business ideas.

Entrepreneurs with a viable business plan in need of affordable retail space who are interested in business resources, educational opportunities and who want to work within the Manitou Art Center are ideal candidates.

Your business must be active (in some form) for a minimum of three months to qualify.

The rent and program cost is $500/Month or approximately $1.54 per square foot of space. This heavily subsidized program is valued at $2,000/month. Grants are available, but will not cover all costs. The rental agreement is month-month with a preferred 30 days notice to terminate.

Additional costs include rental-property insurance and your individual business expenses.

Both the retail space and the office space is a shared space. The jury will decide on who will share the space and how the spaces will be shared. This is a retail space, not studio space or a storage area. While you may work on your products and business while you are present, the look and feel of your space must be retail-centric. 

We encourage all applicants to visit the MAC and look at spaces and opportunities before applying.

Equitable Retail Space

Wifi & Utilities Included in Rent - Electric, Water and Trash

Free Membership to the Chamber for your First Year 

Free Membership to the MakerSpace

Listed on the Manitou Made Creativity Engine Page

Story in the Pikes Peak Bulletin

One-on-One Consultations to Support Business Launch

Approximate Value is $10,000 Annually

• Regular, advertised shop hours that match the MAC business hours are required.
• Award recipients may coordinate and share these hours equally with each retail member.
• Each shop must commit to maintaining the MAC Community Culture and setting up & maintaining a professional, clean retail space.
• You must be able to independently maintain your own sales, track annual bookkeeping and maintain taxes.
• Manitou Springs business license is required and property insurance is highly recommended.

1. Visit the MAC and check out the space.
2. Complete the jotform application by midnight on April 15th.
3. A jury will review applications and will curate a selection of retail businesses and office-based businesses to host & launch by April 25.
4. Spaces will be available for setup by May 1.

A jury will select the businesses for the opportunity to open a small retail storefront in the MAC.

Retail applications: To complete the application you will need your basic information, your business plan details and product images.

 
Food retail applications: To complete the application you will need your basic information, your business plan details and product images. Include your food cottage license or details about the professional kitchen used for production. More information on Cottage Food Licenses:

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/dehs/cottage-foods

*Please note there is no professional kitchen space at the MAC.

 
For your consideration: in a perfect world, how much square footage is ideal for your space?

Not sure about the business plan part? Not to worry! Our application walks you through the step-by-step process and these details may be used again to apply for grants and other applications in your future as an entrepreneur!

Applications open on March 15

Applications close on April 15

Recipients are announced by April 20

Move in day is on May 1

Ribbon-cutting & celebration is on the 1st Friday in June.

Once accepted, you are asked to participate in an annual review at the end of each year. The span of the program is three years with the option to formally reapply at the end of that cycle.

 
Please note that the rent will increase by 10% after the first three years as part of that second application cycle. If you decide to end after the first year, please note that the arrangement for the space is a month-to-month plan.