2025-26 Denver Creates Fund Grantees

$10,000

Diversity in the Arts Internship

ASLD is the administrator of the Diversity in the Arts (DITA) Internship program, which pairs young adults (ages 18-24) with arts and culture nonprofit host sites in the Denver metro area for a 10-week paid summer internship. The program cultivates a cohort of diverse arts and culture professionals that is representative of the Denver metro community while increasing the cultural responsiveness and organizational capacity of arts and culture nonprofits that are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. The goal of DITA is to create a pipeline of leaders in the arts, who represent communities of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other traditionally marginalized populations widely underrepresented among organizations in the Denver metro arts community. DITA defines underrepresented communities as individuals from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the arts and culture field, including but not limited to, people of color, individuals with disabilities, first generation college students, those from a low-income background, those who are bilingual, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, and immigrants. DITA is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all intern applicants. Applicants who come from or demonstrate a strong connection to a traditionally underrepresented population in the arts are considered.

$10,000

Rebel Arts Program and Artfully Minded Workshops

Athena Project brings art to those with few opportunities to experience and appreciate the arts. Blossom House seeks art programming to engage local community members, specifically middle schoolers and older adults. The Denver Creates grant will support piloting a new venture, Rebel Arts, bringing art to adult women 55+, expanding Artfully Minded 1-hr workshops from monthly sessions to twice monthly, with growing input from community youth seeking art instruction. Currently, Athena Project and Blossom House/Lifespan Local are hosting a series of monthly podcasting workshops (also requested by community members). Exposure to the arts offers participants opportunities to speak their truths via creativity — if we can reach them where they are. Middle school is an incredibly vulnerable age; Artfully Minded is an outlet for self-expression and confidence in brave spaces. Our Rebel Arts program improves mental health through a quality arts program that builds rapport & relationships. Program goals: increasing community connection and reducing feelings of isolation. The weekly program launches with a community “artBURST” celebration to foster excitement for enhancing connection and exposure to the arts. With all programs, we’ll conduct an in-person (or live) survey to collect feedback to ensure we offer future arts programming that meets specific community needs.

$8,500

The Therapeutic Power of Art-Making: Transforming the 48th St Women’s Shelter

Big Heart Art will deliver a year-long, trauma-informed art and mural-making program at the 48th Street Samaritan House, Denver’s largest emergency shelter for women. This project provides free, highly accessible art workshops to over 300 residents, and free art materials for workshop participants to keep, many of whom face barriers to traditional arts experiences due to homelessness, trauma, stigma, and lack of accessibility.

Residents will participate in painting vibrant floral murals that will transform shelter walls in this former industrial building into uplifting, healing environments. These murals not only beautify shared spaces but symbolize resilience, growth, and hope—instilling pride in their surroundings and fostering a sense of ownership and belonging. The murals will also be visual tools for navigating the shelter, especially helpful for residents with disabilities or cognitive issues.

By bringing accessible art directly into the shelter, this project makes the arts available to those who need it most and amplifies voices often excluded from Denver’s cultural life.

Project goals:

• Improve residents’ emotional well-being through creative expression
• Transform institutional shelter spaces with artist and resident-painted floral murals
• Expand access to the arts for all, regardless of housing status

$10,000

Catrinas en Mi Ciudad

The inaugural Catrinas en Mi Ciudad took place in October 2023 and attracted over 5,000 attendees. The outdoor art exhibit inspired by Mexico’s Día de Muertos showcased over 40 original pieces created by internationally-acclaimed sculptor and set designer Ricardo Soltero. In addition to the people who visited the event in person, over 10,000 people followed the event through social media platforms. The event also featured several Colorado Latino artists who, through their own art form and technique, helped share some of Día de Muertos' most special traditions. Last year's event in 2024 saw the same numbers of attendees at the event where larger-than-life art pieces by Ricardo Soltero were showcased, along with original monumental pieces created by Cooperativa Jaen Cartonería from Mexico City. Catrinas en Mi Ciudad will return to Sculpture Park on October 18, 2025, and provide a day filled with art, music, culture and celebration for the Mile High City at one of the city’s most symbolic art venues. Creating connections and conversations, the immersive experience hopes to inspire and pay tribute to the beauty of the Día de Muertos celebration.

$10,000

Milagros del Corazón Community Art Exhibition

"Milagros del Corazón" (MDC)—translated means “Miracles of the Heart”—is a community art exhibition by the Chicano Humanities Arts Council (CHAC) that celebrates love, culture and creativity. Participants decorate wooden hearts, which are then collected and showcased in a culminating community art exhibition. Anticipated goals for MDC in February 2026 include distributing over 500 free wooden hearts, hosting up to five art workshops and presenting CHAC's largest MDC exhibition ever. CHAC aims to collaborate with diverse community partners like the Denver Public Library, Denver Public Schools and the Santa Fe Arts District to maximize participation and reach. Their goal is to reach at least 100 unique participants in the workshops and collect over 500 uniquely-decorated wooden hearts for the exhibition. They also anticipate a robust community turnout for the culminating exhibition, with a target of 600 attendees. The intended community impact is to deeply embed MDC as an annual cultural event in Denver, igniting creativity and self-expression across the metropolitan area. Championing Latinx culture and arts, CHAC will use the transformative power of art through “milagro” hearts to build a stronger, more beautiful and culturally enriched Denver community for all.

$10,000

Dia de los Muertos at Civic Center

Día de los Muertos at Civic Center is a one-day cultural celebration on October 25, 2025 that honors the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos while uplifting Colorado’s diverse creative communities, especially Mexican and Mexican-American artists. This free, family-friendly event—co-produced by Civic Center Conservancy and Artistic & Cultural Director Manos Sagrados, led by Bruce Trujillo, in partnership with D3 Arts and Colorful Colorado—will transform Civic Center Park into a vibrant gathering space featuring a participatory community altar, traditional and contemporary art installations, live music and dance performances, artisan and culinary vendors, and a culminating community procession.

The 2025 event aims to welcome 10,000+ attendees and expand inclusive programming, including 10 Community Partner Altars and a curated marketplace of BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, and women-owned small businesses. Community engagement will be increased through ofrenda space and cultural performances that honor those who have passed.

Goals:

• Honor and amplify Mexican and Mexican American cultural traditions.
• Provide economic and creative opportunities for historically underrepresented artists and entrepreneurs.
• Deepen community connections through shared storytelling, art, and remembrance.

The event builds on the Conservancy’s mission to ensure the Park reflects all of Denver—creating space for healing, cultural pride, and joyful public gathering.

$10,000

Music in the Galleries and Summer Music Picnic Series

Music in the Galleries (MIG) is a beloved, long-running series featuring live performances held within the Clyfford Still Museum (CSM)’s indoor galleries. Included with general admission, these concerts create a multisensory experience that deepens engagement with Still’s artwork and the Museum’s environment. During the warmer months, the Summer Music Series activates the outdoor forecourt with free concerts and a welcoming invitation for visitors to explore the galleries at a discounted admission rate. In 2026, concerts will be shaped by two bold exhibitions: "Tell Clyfford I Said ‘Hi‘", co-curated by Indigenous children from the Colville Confederated Tribes, and "Still in Sound", which engages five contemporary artists in exploring sound-based abstraction. These projects inspire CSM to work with their longstanding partners to expand their musical programming to include more BIPOC musicians and cross-disciplinary performers. Many visitors tell report they “came for the music and stayed for the art.” These concerts break down barriers to engagement, inviting people of all ages and backgrounds to discover contemporary art in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. With strong community partnerships and a growing audience, these programs serve as vibrant cultural entry points and catalysts for connection.

$10,000

Fashion Innovators

Fashion Innovators is a 7-week digital design mentorship program created by Color of Fashion for high school students, hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Designed to empower the next generation of creatives, the program introduces students to the world of fashion through a culturally-responsive, tech-forward curriculum. Over the course of the program, students explore key topics including fashion history, digital sketching, pattern design, branding, marketing and sustainability. Participants gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Procreate and Canva Pro, while receiving real-time guidance from professional designers, brand strategists and sustainability experts. Through this mentorship model, students develop original concepts into fully realized digital fashion collections and portfolios. The program culminates in a professional student showcase during Color of Fashion Season VI in September 2026. Anticipated goals include increased digital literacy, creative confidence and early exposure to fashion career pathways. By centering the voices and experiences of underrepresented youth, Fashion Innovators promotes inclusion, equity and access within creative industries. The program aims to build a pipeline of diverse talent, foster community collaboration and create lasting impact by bridging gaps in education, technology access and industry representation.

$10,000

Denver’s Little Saigon Storytelling Initiative

The Little Saigon Storytelling Initiative focuses on documenting and sharing the experiences of Southeast and East Asian communities in Denver’s Little Saigon District. Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU) recently partnered with the History Colorado Museum of Memory to collect 36 oral histories from refugees and immigrants in this community. This vital work has been digitized and archived, providing insight and inspiration for future generations. At every step, CAPU has prioritized involving community members to ensure the program reflects the voices, experiences and aspirations of Denver’s AANHPI community. CAPU is pursuing two continued storytelling modalities: "There's a Lane for Us Here,” a feature-length documentary exploring the history, legacy and uncertain future of Denver’s Little Saigon Business District; and a community-curated exhibition at History Colorado about Little Saigon. Support for this initiative will go towards supporting director Hannah Tran in post-production on the film. Hannah is a local filmmaker with deep ties to Little Saigon, and local talent that CAPU is excited to elevate. Additionally, funds will support ongoing community engagement in the completion of their exhibition, which also strives to feature local artists and their memories of Little Saigon.

$10,000

Advancing Creatives Intensive (ACI)

Developed in April 2022, the Advancing Creatives Intensive (ACI) is designed to be a launch pad for creative professionals and entrepreneurs who want to articulate and take practical steps to achieve their business goals. ACI is focused on tangible growth for artistic careers and creative businesses through a proven curriculum and cohort-based approach for Denver metro artists and entrepreneurs that incorporates peer learning, networking and accountability. ACI enables artists of all kinds to see their work through an entrepreneurial lens and employ tools to organize, plan and sustain their creative career. Visioning, goal setting and action planning are core components of ACI’s curriculum. Each participant completes the program with a clear focus, roadmap and toolbox of skills to achieve their desired outcomes for their business. Depending on the arts discipline and career stage, success measures vary from reaching new markets and customers to increased business efficiencies and profitability. This professional development program is tailored to the unique needs of artists and creative entrepreneurs, thereby creating a ripple effect of increased economic vitality that originates from these local artists as their businesses expand and thrive.

$10,000

Scratch to Success: Youth DJ Pathway

“Scratch to Success” is a youth entrepreneurship-through-the-arts initiative from the Denver DJ School, rooted in a seven-year partnership with Lake Middle School. Denver DJ School serves over 250 students weekly through in-school DJ and music production classes. This program offers a clear next step: advanced instruction, mentorship, and career-launching tools that extend beyond the classroom.

Excelling students are selected to participate in after-school and weekend intensives at Denver DJ School, where they develop DJ skills, learn business fundamentals, build setlists and receive one-on-one coaching. They’ll perform at internal showcases and learn how to turn their creative passion into paid opportunities.

To remove financial barriers, top students will receive complete mobile DJ kits, including controllers, speakers, headphones and software allowing them to begin taking paid gigs. One student has already earned over $5,000 in 8th grade using the skills and gear Denver DJ School helped provide. They aim to replicate that success for multiple youth.

Grant funds will support instruction, student stipends, gear awards and showcase production. This program turns creativity into economic opportunity, helps families build generational wealth and promotes equitable access to Denver’s cultural sector.

$10,000

Denver Jazz Fest

Denver Jazz Fest will take place in April, which is also Jazz Appreciation month. For four days, neighborhoods across the city will come alive with jazz from every corner. Partnering with all of the existing Front Range presenters will enable Denver Jazz to program the festival to reach each of their respective audiences, thereby guaranteeing a diverse and exciting event that will be accessible to young and old alike.

National touring artists will perform at the Newman Center, at Dazzle and at Cervantes’ and Cleo Parker Robinson in the Five Points Cultural District. Resident jazz artists will be presented at Nocturne, Spangalang, and at no cost on our Under Glass stage in the DPAC Galleria. Jazz clinics presented by national artists will be free and open to the public at MSU’s Kalamath building. Our goal is to provide engaging programming to reach jazz fans and the jazz curious alike from all walks of life in our diverse community and in doing so, provide financial opportunities for the many presenters and artists in this vibrant community. Last year’s festival attendance exceeded our expectations, reaching over 8,200 participants. Plans for 2026 are in place to grow our audience with three new venues being added.

$10,000

Metropolitan Opera Soprano Angela Brown joins Denver Young Artists Orchestra for FREE Community Concert

DYAO is excited to open its 2025-2026 season with a free concert. The Young Artists Orchestra (YAO), led by Music Director Wilbur Lin, will perform Tchaikovsky’s deeply personal Fifth Symphony and Concert Overture No. 1 by Florence Price, the first African-American woman to have a composition performed by a professional orchestra. Internationally acclaimed soprano Angela Brown will join YAO as soloist for Strauss’ Four Last Songs. Ms. Brown’s reputation in the opera and classical music world will be a draw for audiences, as well as an unforgettable opportunity for YAO students. DYAO will also support educational visits by Ms. Brown to area schools and colleges. DYAO hopes to remove paid ticketing for public performances going forward and, in an effort to increase audiences from across the region, this season-opening concert will be their first activation toward that goal. DYAO has launched a new Community Engagement Committee, tasked with identifying and building relationships with local groups such as choirs and churches. This high-profile opening concert is designed to appeal to Denver’s large arts-loving constituency, reach those in healthcare settings with a live stream, and help amplify DYAO’s reputation as the premier arts organization for youth in Denver.

$10,000

ADS+H20+B16

Every 3 months, Art District on Santa Fe (ADSF) selects three Colorado-based artists to receive free studio space, a $500 materials stipend, a business course, mentorship opportunities, and a chance to curate and show their work in the District. This program supports artists for whom studio space access, supply costs and financial literacy are barriers to establishing a sustainable practice. ADSF recognizes such barriers are most common in communities of color, and that minorities of all socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in the arts. ADSF's current goal for this program is to increase its reach by enhancing connectivity between current residents, alumni and the public. ADSF aims to begin a new series of programming led by current residents and alumni, such as workshops, panel discussions, pop-up exhibitions and live performances. By hosting more educational community programming, developed and led by local artists, they will continue to further their mission of uplifting local artists while also providing accessible, educational opportunities for arts engagement to the greater communities they serve. Breaking down cultural barriers around working artists, arts education and access to creative resources is an important part of this program expansion—fueling a more inclusive, connected and creatively-empowered community as they expand this program’s reach and impact.

$10,000

CityStory Denver

CityStory is a year-long, Denver-wide cultural activation that transforms residents into authors and audiences of the city’s living narrative. In three month-long intervals, portable "story corners" will rotate through branch libraries, recreation centers and other locations in NEST equity-zone sites throughout Westwood, Montbello, Sun Valley, Globeville/Elyria-Swansea, Green Valley Ranch and Northeast Park Hill. Guided by Project Director Ruby Jones and a volunteer artist & culture council comprised of filmmakers, photographers and youth apprentices, the activation will capture first-person stories through text, audio, video and photo portraits in residents' preferred language. Anticipated goals include capturing and displaying over 1,000 first-person stories by June 2026; engaging over 1,000 in-person participants and 20,000 online viewers via a free, ADA-compliant WordPress archive by June 2026; and disbursing $3,000 in stipends to two local artists and two youth apprentices, sustaining Denver's creative pipeline at a micro scale. CityStory broadens cultural access by bringing no-cost storytelling tools directly into under-served neighborhoods and compensating local creators for their expertise. The digital archive provides teachers, nonprofits and residents content celebrating community identity and sparking cross-cultural dialogue. A final showcase will project these narratives citywide, fostering neighborhood pride and demonstrating the cultural impact of stories and art.

$10,000

Bodies of Culture

Bodies of Culture (BOC) is a collective of BIPOC musicians, artists and cultural workers committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive and thriving music ecosystem in Denver. As a program of Levitt Pavilion Denver, BOC creates intentional programming that supports young creatives through mentorship, community gatherings and wellness practices. Centered in culture and identity, BOC uplifts historically-excluded voices and builds platforms for belonging, visibility and self-expression.

BOC also works to expand equity and representation in Denver’s music education landscape by partnering with local organizations to increase access for BIPOC youth. These efforts include addressing barriers such as financial constraints, lack of representation and limited exposure to culturally-relevant creative opportunities.

In alignment with its DEI values, BOC operates as a working board where artists and mentors are compensated for their time, labor and expertise. Funding from the Denver Creates Fund will directly support these program initiatives and ensure fair compensation for board members and cultural leaders engaged in this work.

$10,000

RECIPE 3.0 Denver: Nourishing from the Inside

RECIPE 3.0 Denver: Nourishment from the Inside is an extension of Grapefruit Lab's current statewide initiative. Focused specifically on Denver, they begin with two family reunification community-building events at local correctional facilities, bringing residents and families together in meaningful, facilitated visits to share and document recipes and stories of food and memory. A script will then be developed from what is shared, resulting in public and facility-based performances. The arts support incarcerated people in surviving the hardships and shifting the stigma of prison. Creation of narrative, imagination and appreciation of beauty are innately human; through artistic practice, residents express their nuance and humanity while regaining a sense of personal agency and purpose. The creative experience of RECIPE counters the punitive isolation that prisons often impose with opportunities to build healthy relationships with families and one another. Facilitated arts and family engagement helps residents gain tools to support themselves in the prescribed present while having the opportunity to dream, imagine and build a liberated future. By sharing their creative work beyond prison walls, Grapefruit Lab cultivates dialogue with the public, challenging the complacency which perpetuates stigma, and prisons as catch-all solutions to poverty, oppression, underemployment and a range of health crises.

$10,000

Muertos en Westwood

Muertos en Westwood is a two-day, community-led street festival taking place November 1–2, 2025, celebrating Día de Muertos through art, food, music, altars and cultural memory. As part of the Westwood Event Series, the festival is free and open to all, with a focus on honoring Latinx and Indigenous traditions while resisting the erasure of the neighborhood’s cultural identity. In 2025, the theme centers on immigration and resistance, using the symbolism of masks and monarch butterflies to explore migration, transformation and remembrance. Activities include a community altar installation, youth art exhibitions, ancestral food demos, live performances, vendor markets and family-friendly workshops.

Goals:

• Broaden access to culturally rooted arts experiences for Westwood’s BIPOC and immigrant communities
• Support the economic vitality of local creatives and vendors
• Cultivate a sense of belonging, pride and intergenerational cultural knowledge.

The festival expects to engage 10,000+ people and over 100 local artists, performers and small businesses. By uplifting community voices and traditions, Muertos en Westwood contributes to a more inclusive and resilient cultural ecosystem in Denver.

$10,000

mother : un/tethered

Since 2022, HOLDTIGHT (HT) has been developing un/tethered, a performance trilogy exploring interdependence in three parts: together, alone, and mother. Two sections (together and alone) have been completed and premiered as evening-length live performances. HT is seeking funding for the central third section, mother : un/tethered, which will take the form of a feature-length art-documentary film.

mother : un/tethered uses the word “mother” as both noun and verb, drawing powerful parallels between familial, societal and archetypal experiences of motherhood and our collective relationship to Mother Earth. The film uses interviews, personal narrative, dance and music, all filmed in evocative natural landscapes across the U.S. from Colorado’s deserts to the Hudson Valley. Through stories of four central collaborators including a new mother, a grieving daughter, a woman navigating fertility and a land steward who mothers the earth, the film challenges extractive norms rooted in patriarchy and capitalism. It uplifts the feminine as a force of restoration and reimagines mothering as a collective, interspecies act of environmental stewardship and protection. mother : un/tethered is the culmination of years of research, residencies and showings. HT has now arrived at the final stages of the project: filming, editing and presenting.

$10,000

Inner Circle Open Mic

Inner Circle is a weekly open mic program that creates safe, inclusive spaces where 20+ artists and 60–100 community members come together to share music, art and dialogue. Focused on empowering artists—particularly people of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals—Inner Circle's program fosters community connections and encourages meaningful conversations around culture and identity.

Inner Circle partners with local organizations such as DCI Tour, City Records and Black I.N.K. Library, as well as local businesses and food vendors, to strengthen community ties and support artists with payment, studio time, interviews and new performance opportunities. Over the past year, they have distributed over $800 to artists and built a social media following of 15,000 people, expanding their reach across Denver’s creative ecosystem.

Goals are to amplify underrepresented voices, nurture cultural exchange and build a resilient, inclusive creative community. By moving from neighborhood to neighborhood, and eventually touring regionally and internationally with local artists and partners like Black I.N.K. Library, they intend to deepen connections, broaden perspectives and sustain long-term community impact.

$10,000

“Innervision Access Arts: Empowering Blind and Disabled Creators”

Innervision will launch its Songwriting Champions Series this November at Brother Jeff’s Community Center, featuring winners of their songwriting contest. This program will live-stream podcasts hosted by blind podcasters, showcasing and paying all musical songwriters involved to promote equity and economic opportunity for disabled and underserved creatives. Each show will be professionally filmed to boost visibility on YouTube, Facebook and Denver Media Comcast 56, reaching diverse local and online audiences. These concerts and podcasts will continue into January, March and May, culminating in an outdoor concert at The Beer Garden, creating an inclusive music festival atmosphere. Anticipated goals are to provide paid performance and exposure opportunities for at least 15 local songwriters, train five blind podcasters in live hosting and event production, and build a larger community of engaged supporters who value disability inclusion in the arts. The intended community impact includes expanding public awareness of disabled artists’ talents, reducing employment barriers for blind broadcasters, and fostering unity through music across racial, cultural and ability lines. This program aligns with Innervision’s mission to promote self-sufficiency for blind and disabled creatives, while enriching Denver’s creative ecosystem with authentic, diverse voices and experiences.

$10,000

KissFist Mural Fest

The KissFist Mural Fest is an accessible, three-day mural festival and artisan market where all participating artists are members of the deaf community. The festival is designed to be a joyful arts and culture event where ties between the deaf and hearing communities will be strengthened through a shared appreciation for visual arts. The specific issues that the KissFist Mural Fest are designed to address are: difficulty that artists from the deaf community have in receiving the same opportunities as hearing artists due to lack of accessible systems; underemployment in the deaf community; experience deprivation and isolation that permeates the deaf experience. There is a pervasive history of experience deprivation and isolation in the deaf community due to audism. Deaf people are also underemployed, with an employment rate of 54% as compared to hearing people, who have an employment rate of 70% (source: National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes). As an accessible, in-person event centered around deaf culture and income opportunities for artists from the deaf community, the KissFist Mural Festival is a joyful act of resistance.

$10,000

Tribute to the Westside Mural

Tribute to the Westside is a large-scale, community-designed mural led by the Latino Cultural Arts Center (LCAC), in partnership with MSU Denver and Museo de las Américas. Installed on the exterior of 800 Kalamath St.—a site of historic displacement and current community investment—the mural honors the cultural, spiritual and political legacies of Denver’s La Alma–Lincoln Park neighborhood. Created by the Mid-Brow Collective (Carlos Frésquez, Ramon Trujillo, Adrian Raya), all displaced Aurarians and MSU alumni, the mural will reflect community narratives gathered through bilingual, intergenerational workshops.

Anticipated Goals:

• Engage 100 community members in free, accessible design sessions
• Elevate underrepresented histories through a permanent public artwork
• Celebrate Colorado's 150th anniversary through a community-wide celebration

Intended Community Impact:

The project reclaims public space for cultural memory, promotes civic healing, and affirms the voices of displaced and historically marginalized Westside residents through art that is created with and for the community.

$10,000

The LCAC's Amaru Collective

The Amaru Collective is a youth-led public art and creative leadership initiative rooted in the success of LCAC’s Public Art Mentoring (PAM) program. Based at Las Bodegas, LCAC's soon-to-be-remodeled cultural innovation hub, the program transforms emerging artists (ages 18–24) into civic storytellers, creative entrepreneurs and placemakers. Through mentorship, collaborative artmaking and professional development, participants will pursue public art commissions that center local histories, cultural identity and social justice.

Anticipated Goals:

• Position Las Bodegas as a launchpad to export youth talent nationally
• Launch a paid youth collective producing at least 2 public commissions in its first year
• Provide mentorship, stipends, and skill-building workshops to 10-12 emerging artists annually • Deepen community ties through multi-generational, community-engaged public art projects
• Diversify Denver’s public art applicant pool and increase the professionalization of the local creative ecosystem

Intended Impact:

The Amaru Collective will embed the voices and visions of young artists into the built environment of a rapidly gentrifying city. Each mural, installation or performance will leave a lasting fingerprint of cultural memory, resilience and belonging. By investing in youth as culture bearers and change-makers, the program shapes a more just and inclusive creative future.

$5,770

Cultural Experiences for Older Adults

Life/Art Dance Ensemble’s “Cultural Experiences for Older Adults” (CEFOA) program serves low-income older adults residing in subsidized independent living residences, who too often experience deep isolation and may lack opportunities to experience arts and culture. Life/Art’s CEFOA program offers a performance program with an educational component, as well as inclusive movement classes, all implemented on location at low-income housing facilities for older adults, free of charge. Since its founding in 2009, Life/Art has reached over 3,700 older adults with its CEFOA program. This year’s performance theme explores how collaborations between art forms help strengthen all arts involved. A professional musician will perform between each dance number, and accompany a few. Afterwards, performers will engage with the audience, facilitating social interactions and intergenerational connections. Life/Art will also continue their 12-week all-abilities “Access to Agility” dance classes, taught in the DanceAbility Method. Access to Agility participants benefit from engaging in low-impact physical activity that offers opportunities for moderate, age-appropriate exercise. In the 2025-2026 season, Life/Art aims to engage 70 older adults in all-abilities 12-week dance classes at 4 locations, and perform for 300 older adults living in 13 low-income older adult residences in the Denver metro area.

$9,000

Little Glass Art: Community Workshop Series

Little Glass Art’s Accessible Stained Glass: Community Workshop Series is a hands-on educational program designed to introduce stained glass to underserved and diverse populations across the Denver metro area. The program’s goal is to break down financial, physical and cultural barriers to entry by offering mobile, beginner-friendly and affordable stained glass workshops in partnership with public libraries, special-needs organizations and community centers. Participants will learn the fundamentals of glass cutting, copper foiling and safe soldering techniques in a supportive, adaptable environment. Tools and instruction will be modified as needed to support participants with disabilities, and all materials will be provided free of charge. This program not only preserves a centuries-old craft but also empowers individuals through creative expression and skill-building. By bringing glass art directly to the community, the program fosters accessibility, creative confidence and inclusivity in the arts.

$10,000

5 Points Nutcracker: A Jazz Experience

The intended impact of 'The 5 Points Nutcracker' on the Denver community is multifaceted and deeply transformative. This immersive dance theater experience is designed to amplify the voices and history of Five Points, a historically-marginalized Black community affected by gentrification. By showcasing their stories, the program aims to educate and inspire not only local residents but also a broader audience about the rich cultural heritage of this area.

LuneAseas' goal is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of local history, encouraging community members to explore and share their own stories. This initiative also seeks to attract audiences from across the Denver region, increasing awareness and engagement with the historically-significant narratives of the Five Points community. Through powerful storytelling and innovative artistic expression, they hope to spark curiosity and drive cultural and historical education, making a lasting impact on all who experience it.

$10,000

The Seminar (2nd Year)

The Seminar Series brings academics into a nonpartisan and non-institutionally-based space for community members to gather, listen and respond to their work on topics concerning political, cultural theory and practice. The mission of the seminar is to revise and revive the methods by which knowledge is created and disseminated, distinguishing between facts, opinion and inference—doing so with and for diverse members of the Denver community during in-person events. The seminar is a model that can be continuously adapted to address critical issues of our time. The seminar aims to redistribute the wealth of knowledge from universities/colleges into communities that, in turn, can contribute to knowledge-building in their everyday lives as well as the academic work being done by event leaders and lecturers.

$10,000

Dia del Nino: Celebrating all Children

Día del Niño creates transformative experiences where culture, education and celebration intertwine to strengthen Denver's social fabric. The program's impact resonates throughout our community, as evidenced by last year's remarkable attendance of 7,900 visitors at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science alone. These numbers reflect MCC's success in creating welcoming spaces where cultural exploration thrives. The celebration's influence extends far beyond a single day. When Latino families discover their traditions celebrated within prestigious institutions, it reshapes their relationship with these cultural spaces. Children experience their heritage through dynamic, hands-on activities that make cultural learning both exciting and accessible. Meanwhile, non-Latino families gain authentic exposure to Latino culture through shared experiences of wonder and discovery. Most importantly, this program dismantles traditional barriers to cultural participation. By offering free admission and culturally-relevant programming across multiple venues, they create lasting connections between families and cultural institutions for generations to come. The program aligns with Denver's vision for Amplification by creating high-visibility celebrations attended by thousands of families showcasing Latino culture throughout the city's premier cultural institutions. The extensive media coverage and collaborative promotion amplify these events to both local and regional audiences, strengthening Denver's reputation as a culturally vibrant city.

$10,000

Free Animation Workshops for Youth and Adults

With the money allotted, Mile High Animation (MHA) can provide 20+ weekend workshops for youth and adults to learn animation at their studio located at City Park. Each workshop will be 6 total hours, spanning 3 hours on Saturday and 3 hours on Sunday. Students will have the opportunity to take a crash course that emulates the same learning structure and programming as MHA's courses at CU Denver and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. By leveraging the funds, programs can be accessible and free to the families looking for extracurriculars who also want to educate their kids or themselves with college-level programming. This exploration of animation will give kids, parents and adults an open window into the industry, which directly correlates to the colleges and universities that teach film and animation.. i.e. CU Denver, CU Boulder, Denver Film School, RMCAD, etc. The learning outcomes will be proficiency in animation and drawing, and a newfound passion for animation and storytelling.

$10,000

Pride Rising: Songs of Community

Pride Rising: Songs of Community is a summer initiative by Mile High Freedom Bands that celebrates and uplifts the voices of Denver’s LGBTQ+ community and allies through free, public musical events. The program includes a swing band concert and a winds concert in City Park, plus a pep band performance and marching band appearance at Denver Pride. This year’s swing concert will feature a newly-commissioned jazz work by an underrepresented composer — bringing fresh, diverse music to local audiences, youth participants and performers alike. All events are free and open to the public, removing barriers and inviting people of all ages and backgrounds to gather, connect and celebrate through music. A free youth music camp for high school students provides mentorship and rehearsal opportunities, culminating in participants performing side by side with adults at each event — expanding access for emerging musicians while strengthening Denver’s cultural community. Pride Rising breaks down barriers to cultural participation, enriching Denver’s arts landscape for all. Through this program, Mile High Freedom Bands fulfills its mission to make positive contributions through musical events that engage, educate and entertain, supporting the City’s goals to broaden access, cultivate community and strengthen cultural vitality.

$10,000

Accidentally on Purpose

Accidentally on Purpose is a multimedia retrospective celebrating the 50-year creative partnership of Maruca and Daniel Salazar—Denver-based artists and cultural activists central to the Chicano Renaissance. Opening at Museo de las Americas in 2025, the exhibition features altars, animation, film, video, photography, installation, poetry and painting spanning from 1975 to 2025. Their work explores themes of identity, mestizaje, gender, love, politics and place through a uniquely Chicano and community-centered lens.

The exhibition will include interactive components, rare archival footage, experimental collaborations and educational programming. Public events, guided tours and hands-on workshops will engage multigenerational audiences, with a special focus on Latinx youth and families.

Goals include:

• Preserving and honoring the legacy of two groundbreaking Chicano artists.
• Inspiring critical reflection and dialogue on cultural identity, equity and activism.
• Increasing community access to culturally-relevant and immersive arts programming.

Intended Community Impact:
The exhibition will serve Denver’s Latinx and historically underserved communities by affirming cultural pride, amplifying local history and creating inclusive spaces for connection and creativity. By combining historical reflection with interactive education, Accidentally on Purpose invites all audiences to explore and celebrate the power of Chicano art and community.

$10,000

Bloom Space

The Museum for Black Girls will launch a multidisciplinary cultural activation focused on visibility, healing and celebration of Black women and girls. This project will include a rotating community-curated exhibition, artist-led workshops and wellness-based creative programming—all offered at low or no cost to ensure equitable access. Goals are to: Engage 1,000–1,500 diverse community members across Denver; provide paid opportunities to 10+ local Black artists, storytellers, and wellness practitioners; and create immersive, culturally relevant experiences that promote healing, belonging and connection. As a trusted cultural anchor in downtown Denver, the Museum has already welcomed thousands through grassroots, community-driven programming. This grant will expand our reach and deepen our impact—especially among historically underrepresented communities—by funding transformative experiences that are interactive, inclusive and emotionally resonant. Through this initiative, we will activate our space as a hub for collective care and cultural storytelling, supporting the economic vitality of local creatives while fostering joy and representation for the communities they serve. By centering Black women’s stories, Museum For Black Girls expands the definition of who belongs in art spaces and create a more equitable, inspiring cultural landscape for all.

$10,000

6th Annual Community Gathering: Energy of Life

The 6th Annual Community Gathering: Energy of Life is a continuation of a yearly tradition held at the historic former Escuela Tlatelolco building in Denver’s Northside. What began in 2021 as a grassroots healing response to cultural erasure has grown into a vibrant, intergenerational event. It brings together artists, neighbors, elders, youth and allies who wouldn’t otherwise meet—bridging communities through shared space, storytelling and creative expression.

The gathering features poetry, performance art, ceremonial dance, artist tables, storytelling and cultural food. Artists and vendors receive visibility, fair pay and economic opportunity. The event is documented through essays, photography and video to preserve memory and amplify impact.

A key goal is to strengthen relationships and cultural continuity. The gathering has sparked new collaborations and friendships. The Energy of Life public art installation—unveiled at the 2026 event—will be a lasting symbol of this process, with accessible features such as braille and audio description. The gathering will continue annually beyond the installation, keeping the site active and rooted in community engagement.

Nurture, a wellness marketplace, now owns the space. Although they have co-hosted the gathering annually, the Chicano community is not regularly present there. One long-term goal is to deepen that connection year-round.

$10,000

Bridge to Bridge

Bridge to Bridge connects historically excluded Denver youth with world-class music education and international artists through a unique collaboration between New Cottage Arts (NCA), the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), and Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver. It builds upon the GFA’s already established “Bridge” program of high-level youth instruction and performance opportunities in classical guitar. At Bridge to Bridge, NCA students—many of whom are refugee youth or reside in shelters—will participate in two immersive days of college access, artistic mentorship, and career exploration. The program will include:

• NCA student participation in coaching and performance on stage at the King Center
• A leadership/arts careers mentorship day, including GFA College Fair, with guest artists and MSU students
• Youth-led campus experiences at MSU (including potential visit to MSU's new Mariachi program)
• Free tickets for youth and families to attend concerts

We’ve heard directly from our youth—they’re eager to learn about arts careers and higher education. The program is youth-driven, community-rooted and incorporates goals around equity, access and cultivating local talent. This program removes barriers to access, provides stipends and integrates youth as active participants in the cultural life of their city, aligning powerfully with goals of the Denver Creates roadmap.

$10,000

Clayton Community Days

Clayton Community Days is a community-led, multi-event project that takes place annually in the Denver neighborhood of Clayton. Community assets are leveraged to foster connections, support local businesses and celebrate cultural vibrancy. New Cottage Arts (NCA) organizes these free, family-friendly events to bring residents together, utilizing neighborhood resources such as schools, businesses and local artists. The event promotes economic development by increasing exposure and sales for local vendors while offering free arts and music workshops that encourage creative expression. Utilizing shared public spaces strengthens social bonds and fosters trust among residents. While there are five Clayton Community Days per year, this request is for the first two, June 6 and July 11, 2026. There will be two local live music groups per event, 90-minute sets each, as well as a Westwood Warehouse/Unit E Sound Technician and Sound/Stage Equipment Rental for both events. This funding will also cover an art commission of a 2026 logo piece made by local youth, which will be auctioned off at an NCA fundraiser to fund the remaining three events of 2026: August 1, September 5 and October 3.

$10,000

The From Within Project

The From Within Project is a short film and healing arts initiative led by Denver artists Maryam Muhammad (aka Sage Violet) and Niko Bursten. Through candid interviews, the film will highlight the real-life mental health journeys of independent artists from Denver, including young women, college students, teens and creatives experiencing or recovering from homelessness. The film documents how these artists use music, storytelling and creative expression to process trauma, build resilience and connect with others. It will be paired with a healing mixtape (Cheers… to My Last Crashout) and community events like workshops and free screenings across the city. Goals are to:

• Produce a powerful, artist-led short film that elevates underrepresented voices
• Host community screenings and discussions that reach at least 150 residents
• Provide safe, expressive spaces for those often excluded from both wellness and art communities
• Normalize conversations around mental health and show the power of creative healing

This project reminds people that healing doesn't always start in therapy—it can start with a beat, a lyric, or someone finally asking, "what's your story?"

$10,000

Our Histories, Our Stage: Motus Playback in Denver’s Communities

Motus Playback is Colorado’s most diverse Playback Theater ensemble, created to expand access for diverse actors and audiences and to share the multitude of stories that shape the Denver metro area—so all communities see themselves reflected on stage. In Playback, community members share personal stories, which skilled improv actors reenact live with music. This interactive art form has been used nationally to heal divides and spark dialogue on racial justice, gun violence and civic resilience. Motus will partner with Colorado Asian Pacific United, Museo de las Americas and Dr. Renee Fajardo (Corn Mothers curator, Chicano Humanities Arts Council chair and Colorado Folk Arts Council director) for three performances reframing Colorado’s Sesquicentennial. These events will center stories of AAPI elders, Chicano artists and diverse women leaders (Corn Mothers) whose lived experiences illuminate key moments in Denver and Colorado history.

Project goals & community impact:

• Celebrate and build public knowledge of AAPI, Black, Chicano and Latinx communities’ contributions to Denver and Colorado.
• Foster cross-community connections and affirm belonging in Denver’s creative and civic legacy.
• Cultivate diverse Denver-based talent through artist development and retention in Motus Playback (currently 70% Denver residents).

$10,000

Rent Free Rites of Passage

The Rent Free Rites of Passage program is an intergenerational wellness initiative where participants go on a HERO journey to explore their authentic selves. Utilizing a 6-week cohort model, up to 10 chosen participants will participate in the weekly Rent Free program in Montbello on Mondays from 5 pm - 7 pm to develop a sense of belonging and cultural competency via drumming, music, history lessons, wellness strategies and martial arts. There will be an initiation day for participants to learn different creative expressions, such as drumming, songwriting, martial arts and spiritual wellness. At the conclusion of initiation day, participants will choose a mentor that specializes in a particular creative expression that will guide them on their Rent Free Rites of Passage. Students and mentors will meet as a small cohort to explore their specific HERO art form each week. By November 14th, students will be honored at the 4th annual Wakanda Weekend event that will be hosted in Montbello.

$10,000

Phamaly Theatre Company Summer Internship Program Supporting "504: The Musical"

Phamaly Theatre Company has been creating accessible theatre and training disabled actors for 36 years. Until recently, most administrators, directors, production staff and designers working with Phamaly did not identify as disabled. In 2022, Phamaly set a goal for a minimum of 50% of all these positions to be filled by folks who identify as disabled. Phamaly quickly discovered there was a pipeline issue — many disabled youths are told the performing arts is not a career they can pursue in any capacity, and never receive the training to fill these very needed positions. To mitigate this, Phamaly established an internship program. The program has been incredibly popular, with dozens of young disabled theatre makers applying each year. However, as most positions are currently unpaid, those who could benefit from this job training the most typically cannot participate. Phamaly seeks funding to devote more staff time and resources to the program and provide stipends for the interns. The organization hopes to have around ten young adults complete the program each year, providing essential support to the nation’s longest-running disability theatre and invaluable on-the-job training to disabled youths looking to build a career behind the scenes in performing arts or non-profit administration.

$10,000

ArtLab: Youth Internship + Artist Residency

Now in its 23rd year, PlatteForum’s ArtLab Artist Residency provides paid, fully supported residencies for professional artists to develop new, culturally-relevant work while engaging with the Denver community. To date, the program has supported 99 artists — 100% of whome in the last 2 years reported the residency was successful and meaningful for them. The ArtLab Youth Internship is an award-winning, year-round, paid internship for 50 high-school-aged youth. The internship combines arts-based learning, creative career training, academic support, mental wellness resources and a space to belong. After attending the internship, 100% of youth have reported feeling safe and supported, feel better about their futures, and report learning new artistic skills. By pairing Resident Artists with Youth Interns, PlatteForum fosters meaningful mentorship between young creatives and adult professionals. Artists gain valuable teaching experience and inspiration from youth, while Interns receive guidance from working artists, engage in hands-on creative learning and participate in public exhibitions. Outlined program goals are to:

• Facilitate collaboration between artists, youth, and community
• Support emerging youth and artist professional development
• Amplify cultural expression and social impact
• Promote wellbeing and creative self-expression through the arts

The multi-faceted ArtLab program builds a more equitable, vibrant and resilient cultural landscape for Denver.

$10,000

Playground 20th Season: MARATHON & Sculpting Sound

In 2025- 2026, Playground Ensemble will present their 20th season. In celebration of this major milestone, they are receiving support through the Denver Creates fund for two innovative community events:

On March 21, 2026, Playground will host the most ambitious program in their history — a 20-hour marathon. Four distinct programming blocks will highlight the multitude of activities down the years that made Playground Ensemble what it is today. Currently planned are seven concerts, three community music-making events, a family music creation event, two healing arts events, a panel with breakout sessions for music educators, a DJ set, an improvised cool down, and playlists of recordings for participants to enjoy as they make their way between the different venues.

In partnership with Leon Gallery, and inspired by Playground's 2022 collaboration with sound sculptor Alex Branch, Sculpting Sound will feature new sound sculpture artworks by local artists who will work with Playground-commissioned composers to write music specifically made for their new works of art. The ‘instruments’ will be on public display for 6-weeks at Leon, with visitors able to interact with the artwork themselves, and culminates in concerts featuring the new musical compositions performed by The Playground.

$10,000

Project Recuerdo

"As keepers of our own stories, we have the ability to preserve and sustain our cultural wealth for future generations to come."

Project Recuerdo honors both the oral and written tradition of storytelling with a journal for each family that becomes a valuable family artifact. With the appropriate materials, each family will have the opportunity to create a "smashbook" journal where they combine or "smash" writing, drawings, memorabilia such as receipts or tickets, photos, maps, letters, stickers and any other meaningful item to document their stories. In essence, this opportunity for creative expression makes the diary journal a physical and artistic representation of their lived experiences both past and present. By September of 2025, teachers, administrators, community members and students will covene at a school event to document their first story of the year in the new "smashbook" as a united community. Families will learn skills and strategies to creatively record their stories and receive tips and strategies for the oral storytelling component. Most importantly, all stakeholders will have an opportunity to develop trusting relationships with each other. This entire process will be documented on a YouTube channel and streamed through social media platforms.

$10,000

303 ArtWay Comprehensive Arts Plan

The 303 ArtWay Comprehensive Arts Plan will create a community-driven vision for integrated public art across the full 303 ArtWay Heritage Trail. This project will engage local artists and community members to co-create a cohesive arts plan that includes murals, painted intersections and sidewalks, sculptures, and playful streetscape elements that reflect the cultural heritage of Northeast Park Hill. Through facilitated workshops and collaboration with the longstanding 303 ArtWay Steering Committee, this plan will lay the groundwork for equitable implementation of public art that honors local identity, builds intergenerational pride and promotes safe, joyful mobility.

$10,000

Sun Valley Viaduct Night Market

Rainbow Dome and Sun Valley Kitchen + Community Center (SVK+CC) are partnering to offer an artful roller rink experience accompanied by live music and performances for the 2026 Sun Valley Viaduct Night Market. The Night Market is a bold, joyful celebration of West Denver’s culture, creativity and community power. Held beneath the Colfax Viaduct on the edge of the Sun Valley neighborhood, the market transforms an overlooked industrial corridor into a vibrant, welcoming hub filled with food, music, art and connection. Led by SVK+CC, this flagship community event brings together over 70 local vendors, artists and small businesses—many of them Westside-based—to showcase their work and generate real economic opportunity. With food vendors, artisan goods, live music, dance performances, roller skating, games and family-friendly activities, the event draws over 3,000 attendees from Sun Valley and across the Denver metro area. SVK+CC produces a mainstage lineup of local musicians, performers and dance groups who are representative of the neighborhood’s Latinx, Asian, African and immigrant communities. The live music and performances complement Rainbow Dome’s pop-up roller rink, complete with custom visual artwork and free skate rentals. The rink activates the Night Market with a free activity to experience joy-in-motion.

$10,000

Rez Metal

"Rez" is a slang term referring to Native American Reservation communities in North America. Rez Metal is a genre that describes the creative expression of Native American Heavy Metal music originating from Navajo Nation and greater Southwest four corners. Navajo, Pueblo, Apache and O'odham Indigenous Nations will be represented at the third Rez Metal night in Denver, Colorado. The sounds of Rez Metal are described as fast, distorted, raw and griddy but also capture influences of the Metal genre ranging from Black, Death, Thrash, Metal and Hard Core, Progressive or just "all Indigenous." The intended community impact helps our Rez Metal bands amplify their set performance to get on a big stage such as the Levitt Pavilion. Often times, our Native American bands on the reservation never play their music beyond the neighboring states or at large venue. For many of our bands, the Levitt is the largest stage they have ever performed on. This program has helped elevate the bands with professionalism, imagining their band headlining and giving encouragement that their music doesn't just have to be small but can be bigger and meaningful.

$10,000

The Newman Center Presents La Mezcla: Chicana Stories in Motion

The Newman Center will present a powerful, multi-media event for the Denver community featuring a combination of La Mezcla's Ghostly Labor and Pachuquísmo performances — works that explore the rise of the Chicana movement and the history of labor in the U.S., providing a new look at the ongoing, systemic exploitation of labor while highlighting the power and joy of collective resistance. La Mezcla’s Executive Director, Vanessa Sanchez, is a Chicana dancer, choreographer, and educator whose work centers on community arts. Through dance, music and video, these performances will celebrate the resilience and strength of the women who shaped Chicana identity. Both pieces have direct ties to Denver, grounding this national conversation in local history. The goal of the program is to share La Mezcla’s unique creative vision with Denver audiences while building meaningful relationships across communities. The project will involve local Chicana leaders, students and community members in dialogue and creative exchange. Engagements will include workshops in schools, community conversations and collaborative events that foster intergenerational connections focused on representation, equity and identity. With support from this grant, the program will deepen cultural engagement in Denver, amplify Chicana voices and inspire continued community-building through the arts.

$10,000

THE DROP presents THE INTRO

THE INTRO is a new video series by THE DROP that shines a spotlight on local hip hop and R&B talent through intimate live performances captured for digital audiences. Each episode features a raw, up-close experience of the featured artist’s sound, paired with an in-depth, in-studio interview that dives into their creative journey, influences and community impact. Earlier this year, on-air hosts SugaBear (Jason Harris) and La Molly (Molly Gallegos) interviewed five local artists for a proof-of-concept season, which will roll out starting in August 2025. Anticipated goals and intended community impact of a second season include:

• Leverage existing relationships with artists to identify and amplify the voices of five local artists not represented in the pilot season.
• Schedule interviews and recordings to maximize program staff’s time with artists, and to facilitate efficient production, post-production, digital packaging, publishing and promotion.
• Release 20–30-minute episodes monthly to maximize exposure time for each artist and build audience familiarity with the series over time.

THE INTRO is more than just music—it is intended to provide a deeper look at the talent shaping Denver's music culture from the ground up, in a digital-first format to meet younger audiences where they are.

$10,000

Sacred Poetry: Recitation Competition

Sacred Voices aims to expand its community impact by joining forces with Colorado's Poetry Out Loud (POL), a national high school recitation competition. This initiative will engage 5 Denver high schools: North, Manuel, DSST GVR & Elevate, and George Washington. Sacred Voices teaching artists will lead poetry writing and recitation workshops, guiding students and teachers through the POL curriculum, engaging a minimum of 150 students and 5 educators. The goal is to cultivate a deep appreciation for poetry, enhance students' expressive abilities, and prepare them for local, state and potentially national POL competitions. Sacred Voices will organize local POL competitions at these high schools to advance five students to the Poetry Out Loud State Finals in Denver. This creates a direct pathway for talented Denver youth to advance to larger platforms. Our poet teaching artists will provide over 30 sessions of invaluable mentorship, elevating performance quality and enriching students' understanding and delivery of poetic works. This initiative promotes arts and culture by making high-quality poetry education accessible to a wider student demographic. By empowering young voices and fostering artistic expression, Sacred Voices significantly contributes to the community's cultural landscape, helping students unleash poetry's transformative power and gain confidence.

$10,000

Sans Souci Festival Presents: Dance & Dialogue on Streets & Screen

Sans Souci Festival (SSF) Executive Director/Artistic Director Michelle Bernier is also on faculty at MSU and has wanted to bring a project to Denver. MSU's Dialogue & Civic Engagement Week (Spring 2026 dates TBA) feels like the perfect fit. MSU students from different departments/programs (dance, film studies, communications) will work together during the Week to create a site-specific community dance film on the Auraria campus with choreography by local artists Nicole Predki & Jacob Mora, directed by Michelle Bernier, shot by Bruce Tetsuya. The film will then be edited and screened alongside other films from the SSF archive on the Auraria campus in May at an event that will include live performance and a talkback with the student artists who created the film.

Goals:

• Create an opportunity for arts and non-art students on campus to collaborate;
• Contribute to the conversation at the Dialogue & Civic Engagement Week with dance/dance cinema as the vessels for creative thinking and meaningful exchange; add an "arts lens" to the conference;
• Invite Denverites, SSF Boulder fans to MSU to the May event to increase visibility of MSU's Theatre and Dance Department
• Foster Collaboration between SSF and MSU and between MSU's Theatre and Dance Department and other Departments

$10,000

Nuba Program Expansion

The Slam Nuba Program Expansion is an effort to expand programming in three program areas: Spoken Word, Stand Up Comedy, and Hip-Hop. Currently, they host a monthly poetry show, quarterly comedy, and hip-hop shows. With the Denver Creates fund grant, they will increase their efforts to support special projects like Beatlab, Black History Month/Women's History Month Comedy showcase, and video documentation of the monthly poetry show. This program expansion will also include maintaining coordinators who help schedule education workshops and bring in fee-for-service performance activities for Nuba performance artists.

$10,000

Starlight Puppet Theatre Residency

The Starlight Puppet Theatre Residency is a new performance series commissioning original short puppet shows by Colorado-based artists. Designed for family-friendly audiences and offered free to the public, the series will prioritize performances in high-visibility, accessible spaces across Denver—including 16th Street, local libraries and neighborhood schools—with a focus on reaching low-income communities. Starry Night Productions hopes these performances will premiere in the new Starlight Puppet Theatre located on 16th Street which is currently in funding rounds through DDDA.

For the initial year, up to six artists will be commissioned to create and perform original puppet works, with each artist participating in a month-long residency. If presented on 16th Street, two artists would alternate 15-minute shows Thursday through Sunday during peak pedestrian hours, offering hundreds of live, joyful engagements with the public each month. Performances will be multilingual when possible, culturally inclusive and creatively distinct. The program pays artists a fair, transparent wage. Even without the permanent Starlight Puppet Theatre venue in place, this initiative will activate Denver’s public spaces with imaginative art and help build the foundation for a sustainable, yearly program showcasing puppetry and storytelling at the heart of the city.

$10,000

Su Teatro-Community Investment Fund Partnership

"The most polluted zip code in the country"

This project will examine, articulate and disrupt the evolving history of racial discrimination and environmental injustice in Denver’s Globeville, Elyria and Swansea (GES) neighborhoods, zip code 80216, the most polluted zip code in the country, through artistic interaction with residents from the GES neighborhoods in collaboration with the GES Community Investment Fund (CIF). The CIF is an all-volunteer, community-led entity formed in Spring 2021 to fund projects by and for residents of GES; it offers a potential countermeasure to the ongoing marginalization of residents, but for the CIF to be successful, community involvement is key. To that end, Su Teatro artists, activists and residents of GES will employ the acto as a tool to develop engagement, collective power, analysis and action. The acto is a short comedic play (5-15 minutes) designed to move people to political or social action. Residents will develop and present narratives to: examine and expose the decades of systemic inequities affecting the neighborhood; strengthen relationships between residents; build the stake and participation of residents in CIF; support residents in imagining new futures; encourage residents to reclaim their stories and histories.

$10,000

Shared History Mural

The Center for Colorado Women’s History (CCWH) will create a 4-foot by 25-foot original mural celebrating the achievements of Colorado women. The mural will draw from History Colorado’s collection of historic photos, maps, poetry and other materials to commemorate the history of equal suffrage in Colorado. The mural will be installed in the CCWH visitor center and replace the 1893 panorama of Denver. Upon entering, visitors will see historic photos of women doing work to support the state, the country, or their communities. Sprinkled throughout the mural will be excerpts from poems, phrases and proverbs that relate to women’s history in Colorado. To honor the Ute Peoples — the longest continuous residents of the land now called Colorado — the team at Duplessis Art will incorporate pieces of Ute language that speak to the importance of women in society. The desired impact is that visitors leave feeling more connected to and aware of Colorado women’s history, and visitors recognize women’s contributions to the state. The mural will include a diverse set of women representing various ethnicities, ages, cultures, professions and more. Inevitably, visitors will see themselves in history and feel encouraged in their careers and personal lives.

$10,000

The Sunflower Society: Resilience Through Arts & Activism

The primary goal of this program is to create accessibility in music arts, and activism by creating programs and events that encourage diverse people to express themselves creatively in a relaxed and uplifting environment. Rainbow Rhythm, Green House Connection Center's monthly open mic & jam, is a space where many participants come to perform for their first time due to the accepting and welcoming nature of this event. This program has also sparked many people's passions by encouraging participants to experiment with new instruments they otherwise would not have had access to or be encouraged to try. Youth of all ages have access to the opportunity to play an instrument for the first time. For adults, they create a space that breaks through limiting beliefs so participants are empowered to express themselves creatively in front of a supportive audience. Their annual Earth Day Festival at La Raza Park is a similar program on a larger scale. On this day they showcase many of the performers from Rainbow Rhythm, and create the opportunity to perform in a community festival setting. They also educate the community on local history, environmental and health issues, and how we can create change through collective action all while supporting the Northside community.

$10,000

Sunset LoFi Jazz Cafe

As a dual citizen of Brazil and the U.S., Brandon Theis founded the Sunset Lo-Fi Jazz Café at RiNo Art Park to create an inclusive, alcohol-free cultural experience that celebrates Denver’s diversity. The inaugural event featured a full Latino lineup, and they are committed to uplifting BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women and marginalized artists throughout the season. The series runs every Second Saturday through October and aims to revitalize the space by offering accessible, sober programming free from corporate influence. With grant funding, they will expand outreach and hire more inclusive talent to ensure the lineup truly reflects the rich fabric of our city. The program has seen a strong start—and with the support of the Denver Creates fun, they can deepen the impact and make this a sustainable community tradition.

$10,000

Colorado Poet Laureate Forum & Engagement

The Word aims to host the inaugural Colorado Poet Laureate Forum, significantly elevating literary arts within Denver and Colorado’s cultural landscape. The proposed project for the 2026 Rocky Mountain Storytelling and Arts Festival, planned for August in the Santa Fe Arts District (SFAD), will gather over ten Colorado Poet Laureates, such as Andrea Gibson, Ahja Fox, and Ashley Cornelius. By convening a diverse array of laureates, they aim to inspire community members, particularly aspiring writers and underserved populations, to engage with literary expression. This unique event will offer a direct engagement with these laureates, focusing on how poetry enlightens, inspires and unites communities, stressing its vital role in conveying the shared human experience, particularly in today's world. This grant will facilitate a range of activities including panels and discussion, book signings, writing workshops, spoken word performances and author talks, allowing poets to interact more intimately with the public. This collaborative endeavor with Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Humanities and the SFAD will not only spotlight Colorado's rich literary talent but also serves as a crucial platform for these influential poets to share insights, discuss poetry's importance, and inspire wider engagement with literary arts with the Denver community.

$10,000

Interactive Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Series

In 2026, Theatre Artibus will launch its inaugural Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) series at The Savoy, running April through August. This six-part series is designed for children from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on participation, imagination, and accessibility:

• Oh Yeah! – A pantomime adventure by Theatre Artibus
• Captain Zeb – An immersive treasure hunt by Starry Night Productions and Artibus
• The MAD LIBrarians – Improv storytelling by Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company
• Art Guffaw – A clown’s take on Fine Art by Jim Jackson (Millibo Art Theatre)
• Kids Fringe – Free performances presented by Denver Fringe Festival
• Playwriting/Devising Summer Camp – For ages 6–12, culminating in youth-led performance

This series builds on the 2025 pilot performance of Captain Zeb, which reached over 100 families through Denver’s Kids Fringe—its highest attendance to date. Their goals are to present affordable, high-quality, Colorado-based theatre that supports early childhood development, critical thinking, creative problem-solving and joy. They prioritize original work by performers and participatory, often non-verbal forms—clown, mime, circus, puppetry—to welcome English language learners and first-time theatre-goers. Unique in Denver and in collaboration with Savoy, the series fosters confidence and connection in young audiences while building a lifelong love for the arts.

$10,000

We Are Greater Than The Sum of Our Pieces

We Are More Than the Sum of Our Pieces is an innovative public art and wellness initiative that commissions local BIPOC artists to create original artworks centered on mental health, healing, identity and resilience. These powerful visuals are then transformed into high-quality puzzles, each one becoming both a piece of art and a vehicle for conversation, reflection and connection. These commissioned puzzles will also be paired with a storytelling component: either a short audio piece, written reflection or video narrative from the artist that explores the deeper meaning behind the work. The puzzles are distributed at community wellness events, schools, libraries and pop-ups across Denver creating accessible entry points for individuals and families to engage in discussions about mental health in a culturally relevant, creative and joyful way. This project will commission 10 local BIPOC artists, produce 100 - 500 puzzle kits with mental health storytelling, and host 1-3 community events across Denver. Their goal is to increase conversations around mental health, provide paid opportunities for artists, and offer creative tools for schools, families and therapists. They aim to build connection, reduce stigma and celebrate community resilience through art and storytelling.

$10,000

Creative Aging for Denver County

Established in 2016, Think 360 Arts’ Creative Aging program enriches the lives of older adults through arts education, improving mental health, fostering well-being and reducing social isolation. The program delivers high-caliber, culturally relevant arts experiences for lower-income older adults across Denver County, providing accessible and consistent arts programming designed to meet their needs. The program's goals include enhancing mental health outcomes, reducing social isolation and strengthening community connections among older adults. With support from the Denver Creates fund, they anticipate delivering 4-7 programs, including teaching artist residencies, additional teaching-artist training and standalone workshops and performances, specifically designed to engage and inspire. Through this funding, they expect to serve 75-100 unique older adults, providing 400+ arts experiences that build community and offer meaningful engagement. By supporting healthy aging through creative expression, this program aims to make a lasting, positive impact on the mental and social well-being of Denver’s older adult population.

$10,000

Five Points Jazz Center (5PJazz) Feasibility Study

The Five Points Jazz Center (5PJazz) is a bold new effort to reestablish Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood as a nationally recognized hub for jazz performance, education and community engagement. Modeled after leading institutions like the San Francisco Jazz Center and Nashville Jazz Workshop, 5PJazz will begin with a “phase one” launch that includes pop-up programming and key planning activities. As part of this grant, they will commission a feasibility study by Corona Insights to assess the need for and potential impact of establishing a new jazz center in Five Points. This study will explore community demand, economic and cultural benefits, potential audiences and sustainability models. Potential research tasks include a survey of Denver metro residents, qualitative interviews and competitor analysis. The results will help determine whether such a center could broaden access to the arts, reduce engagement barriers, and strengthen Five Points as a cultural destination rooted in its jazz legacy. While Phase One activities exceed the $10,000 grant limit, we will leverage this city investment to attract additional support from philanthropic and corporate partners.

$10,000

Our Words Are Powerful

Words To Power will publish, celebrate and distribute three books of poetry written by underserved youth while leading culturally relevant poetry workshops and student presentations in schools comprised of more than 85% Indigenous (“American Indian” and “Hispanic”) youth. “Our Words Are Powerful” provides a culturally responsive intervention for youth participants to:

• Experience a sense of pride by being published as authors.
• Feel encouraged to embrace who they are.
• Learn how to use poetry as a coping mechanism.
• Express resilience, hope, and determination.

This takes place through the following activities:

• Poetry workshops:
  a) discussion of creative expression as a healthy coping strategy
  b) analysis of performances from an accomplished poet
  c) guidance through writing/performance process
  d) sharing
  e) giveaways
• Student poetry presentations: events celebrating participants' poetry in front of parents and/or peers.
• Publication/distribution of three books: Youth submit poems to Words To Power's annual publication. Contributors receive 3 copies. Copies are also distributed during workshops to inspire participants to submit poetry to the next publication.
• Community book release events: Contributors receive $50 to perform.
• Audio recordings of poems for short videos: Contributors can record their poems as part of the production of social media reels/videos.

$10,000

Tortilla Traditions

Tortilla Traditions is a series of community workshops that teach tortilla-making through the lens of cultural preservation, food sovereignty and wellness. Participants engage in the full process from nixtamalizing corn to cooking on the comal while learning about the sacred role of maize in Indigenous lifeways. Each session includes storytelling, hands-on cooking and a shared meal. The program also offers journaling, movement or wellness check-ins to integrate healing arts. Program goals include teaching traditional arts, promoting intergenerational connections, uplifting cultural identity and improving mental health through sensory and social connection. Workshops will be held at Valverde Elementary School and nearby community spaces, with a focus on serving Latinx, Indigenous and immigrant families. Funding will be used to compensate cultural workers, purchase ingredients and materials, and support outreach.

$10,000

Performance Opportunities for Young Creatives

Youth on Record’s (YOR) performance ecosystem provides paid, high-impact opportunities for emerging artists to hone their craft, build confidence, and launch careers. Each year, YOR invests $137,000 directly into youth stipends: $85,000 is restricted to youth performance, sound production, youth booking agents, producers and street team leadership, ensuring that young creatives are not only seen and heard—but valued. Artists in YOR’s Next Generation Artist Roster—many of whom are current or former Youth on Record Fellows—take the stage more than 50 times a year, performing at some of Colorado’s most iconic venues and events. This includes performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, weekly Civic Center EATS shows, galas and community showcases across the state. In addition, YOR holds its Fellowship Showcase, annual Block Party and monthly Open Mic, providing young creatives with low-barrier, supportive performance experiences. The goals of YOR’s youth performance opportunities include:

• Strengthening and showcasing musical ability and creative expression, especially for youth from historically marginalized communities
• Providing a safe, substance free venue
• Providing opportunities for professional development and support from mentors and industry leaders

Together, these opportunities create a robust, inclusive youth-powered music ecosystem in Colorado, where young artists contribute to and lead the future of arts, culture and community.