Nonprofit Spotlight: Elevating Community Through Art

Power Connectors

May 1

3 min read

This month, I sat down with Steve Kelnhofer, founder of ELEV8 Arts, and it’s pretty clear this isn’t just about putting paint on canvas.

It’s about building something the community actually needs.

Located in the heart of Knob Hill at 2438 E. Platte Ave, ELEV8 Arts is creating a space where artists, kids, and older generations come together to make, learn, and connect. Their mission is simple: make art accessible, meaningful, and powered by the community.

Why This Exists

Art programs are disappearing from schools. Talented artists are struggling to get visibility. Kids are growing up without creative outlets.

ELEV8 Arts exists to change that.

By offering free programs for local youth and affordable, skill-based classes for adults, they’re building a sustainable arts center that actually serves the people around it. Not just the ones who already have access, but the ones who usually get overlooked.

And in a neighborhood like Knob Hill, spaces like this don't just appear.

This is meant to be a place where kids discover something they love, adults reconnect with creativity they forgot they had, and artists can teach, grow, and be seen.

More Than Just a Studio

The long-term goal is to offer multiple classes every day, taught by local artists.

They’re aiming for a full opening in early June, but they’re not waiting around for a grand reveal. Classes are already happening in the building while the space is being renovated.

Which feels very on-brand. Build it while you’re building it.

There’s a clear respect for what’s already here and the history behind it, paired with a real focus on improving the space in a way that adds to it.

That’s a solid foundation to build on.

Art That Shows Up

ELEV8 Arts already hosts a monthly art walk every third Saturday, bringing people into the space to experience local work and connect with artists.

👉 Art Walk On Knob Hill at Elev8

They’re also adding new murals to the building, with plans to continue evolving them over time. Not static. Not finished. Something that grows alongside the space itself.

Who It’s For

Short answer: anyone who’s even slightly curious.

They’re building out:

Free youth programs
All-ages classes
21+ creative sessions

Whether someone is experienced or hasn’t touched anything remotely artistic since middle school, there’s a place for them here.

This isn’t about being “good” at art. It’s about having somewhere to show up and try.

What They Need Right Now

They’re new, which means the biggest challenge is simple: people don’t know they exist yet.

So right now, they’re focused on:

Connecting with schools, homeschool programs, and retirement communities
Building awareness through grassroots efforts
Getting in front of people who want to take classes, volunteer, or support the mission

They’re also looking for:

Volunteers with skills who want to contribute
Individuals and businesses willing to donate
People who will just show up, take a class, and be part of it

Because this works when community participates.

Why It Matters

We talk a lot about “community” in business circles. Most of the time, it’s surface-level at best.

This isn’t that.

ELEV8 Arts is creating a space where creativity becomes a shared experience, where different generations sit in the same room and make something together, and where people who might never cross paths actually connect.

That doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens because someone decides to build it, and then keeps building even when it’s not finished yet.

That’s what’s happening here.

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