Overview

My children are growing up with the Tank and the amazing musicians that come with it. Also, I just had my first drum lesson!

My 5 year old son gets a drum lesson from Tank founder Bruce odland in 2013

The TANK is a 65-foot steel water tank, originally a steam age water processing tank for the Rio Grande Railroad, transported to Rangely in the 1960s, “discovered” by musicians in the 1970s and converted into a globally recognized recording studio and performance venue in the 2010s. The space draws sound-artists, musicians, visitors and community members alike, offering residencies, concerts, workshops, open-house events, and recording sessions.

My Role & Progression

I became involved with The TANK during its formation as a non-profit as a volunteer and community liaison. In that capacity, I helped promote initial fundraising and outreach efforts, advocated to local residents and governmental entities, and actively worked to build community support. Because the surrounding community is rooted in traditional local industries, building trust and relationships was essential. I engaged directly with local residents, town officials, and stakeholders to address concerns, communicate the vision, provide insight into tourism possibilities, and generate buy-in for a project that could have seemed outside the local cultural norm.

Once The TANK was renovated and opened, I organized the first public performance and associated workshops in the space under the banner of the state arts program Colorado Creative Industries “deTour” program — helping bridge the gap between avant-garde sonic arts and our small-town community.

I joined the Board of The TANK in 2023 and was elected Treasurer in 2025, where I now oversee financial operations, budgeting, fiscal planning, and fundraising strategy — helping develop the organization toward long-term sustainability while balancing its mission of accessibility and artistic experimentation.

Key Contributions & Responsibilities

  • Supported early Kickstarter and fundraising campaigns, local outreach, and volunteer recruitment to save the former water tank and transform it into a legal performance and recording venue and non-profit organization.

  • Served as community liaison to local stakeholders, securing trust, building relationships with community members, and broadening local support for an arts-focused project.

  • Organized the first public performance after renovation, under Colorado Creative Industries’ deTour program, introducing local audiences to the space’s unique sonic potential.

  • Coordinated early events, outreach, volunteer teams, and local partnerships to support concerts, workshops, and community-focused programming.

  • As Treasurer: oversee financial reporting, budgeting, grants and donations management, sustainable fiscal planning, and ongoing fundraising to support events, residencies, and maintenance.

Impact & Significance

The Flobots and a group of musicians visited Rangely, CO in the fall of 2015 as part of a pilot tour of deTour.

The TANK now thrives as both a world-class sonic arts venue and a community resource. Its unique acoustics have attracted international artists and produced national attention, while also offering local residents access to innovative artistic experiences.

Thanks to the community-based outreach and leadership contributions, the project gained local legitimacy and support despite initial skepticism. The first public performance and ongoing programming created a bridge between avant-garde sound art and community culture — demonstrating how art can foster connection and shared identity even in unexpected places.

As Treasurer, I will be involved in guiding The TANK toward financial health, ensuring its mission remains sustainable while preserving its experimental and community-driven spirit.

Skills Demonstrated

  • Nonprofit governance and fiscal management

  • Community outreach and local stakeholder relations

  • Event planning, logistics, and production coordination

  • Volunteer coordination and management

  • Fundraising and donor relations

  • Creative vision combined with practical execution

  • Cultural bridging: translating unconventional art for a conservative, rural community