The Anderson Ranch Arts Center (970-923-3181; http://www.andersonranch.org), 5263 Owl Creek Road, Snowmass, is a year-round visual arts community, best known for its summer workshops in painting, woodworking, ceramics, photography, and more. Instructors are top artists from around the country.

The Aspen Art Museum (970-925-8050; http://www.aspenartmuseum.org), 590 N. Mill, Aspen, has provided the Aspen community with outstanding exhibits since 1979.

Other cultural organizations you'll find in Aspen include The Aspen Institute (970-925-7010; http://www.aspeninstitute.org), 1000 N. 3rd. Founded in Aspen in 1950, The Aspen Institute is known the world over as a place for international leaders to gather and discuss the critical issues that confront society and individuals today.

There's also the International Design Conference in Aspen (http://www.idca.org). This event has brought intellectuals to town to discuss scientific theories and technological innovations in our constantly shifting world for over 50 years.