Independent Music Venues and Denver Artists Receive $1 Million in CARES Act Funding  

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Independent performing arts and music venues, along with more than 200 artists in Denver, have been awarded a combined $1 million in grants in another round of funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The funding comes from the City’s Coronavirus Relief Funds, which were allocated to cities as part of the CARES Act to help respond to the coronavirus impact.  Denver received $126.8 million in CRF dollars and has allocated $121.9 million for citywide operations and  community support, including $18.1 million for businesses, nonprofits, and artists impacted by the pandemic. Of the original amount, the final $4.9 million is slated to be deployed by years’ end.

Denver Arts & Venues and members of the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs provided review support and distribution for the grant program, awarding 236 individual artists specializing in visual arts, music, design, film, theatre, fashion, dance, literature and other creative disciplines with $1,000 grants. 28 independent music and performing arts venues were funded with $25,000 grants and three venue grant requests were partially funded with more than $10,000 each.

“On Tuesday, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District released new data that signals a significant threat to Colorado’s arts and cultural sector due to COVID-19,” said Ginger White, executive director of Denver Arts & Venues. “We will continue to advocate for direct funding like these grants to provide short term relief for Denver’s creative community, but that’s not enough. Please consider making our beloved artists and arts and cultural organizations a part of your holiday giving this year. Give a donation, gift a membership and shop local this holiday season.”

The review panel prioritized artists and venue operators experiencing severe financial distress, and artists and venues owned by or supporting historically marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities.  The funding provides immediate financial assistance for loss of income or unexpected costs related to the pandemic and must be spent by December 30, 2020.

2020 DENVER CARES VENUE RELIEF FUND RECIPIENTS
•    Tennyson's Tap
•    Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center
•    Heal Denver
•    El Merendero
•    The Bug Theatre
•    X Bar/Glow Lounge
•    Denver Turnverein Dance Center
•    Rhinoceropolis
•    Ophelia's Electric Soapbox
•    Buntport Theater
•    Daniels Hall, Swallow Hill Music
•    Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts
•    Aztlan Theatre
•    Sie FilmCenter
•    Lincoln's Roadhouse
•    The Clocktower Cabaret
•    7th Circle Music Collective
•    Fort Greene Bar Denver
•    Levitt Pavilion Denver
•    The Oriental Theater
•    Mercury Cafe
•    Streets of London
•    Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre
•    RISE Comedy
•    Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom
•    Hi-Dive
•    The Black Box
•    Roxy on Broadway
•    Monkey Barrel
•    Globe Hall
•    Lost Lake Denver