Denver Arts & Venues Cultural Partner Activation Program
Denver Arts & Venues (DAV) is currently accepting programming proposals to activate its various venues and facilities in 2023-2024.
Where We’ve Been
Since 2012, DAV has offered waived and reduced rent and additional financial support for events at McNichols Building through our cultural partner program. Since 2016, DAV has also offered waived or reduced rent and additional financial support for events at Arts Complex. In 2022, DAV utilized $1.2M of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide financial support for events at Denver Coliseum, Arts Complex and Red Rocks by paying for hard costs such as security, janitorial and third-party equipment rentals through the DAV ARPA Venue Reactivation Program.
Purpose of DAV Cultural Partner Activation Program
The DAV Cultural Partner Activation Program is intended to support arts and cultural events at our venues, combat the financial impacts of COVID-19, and advance the DAV mission to enrich and advance Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through the advancement of arts, cultural, and entertainment opportunities for all. These funds (which will come from DAV’s second round of ARPA funding) will be used to subsidize the costs of producing events at City of Denver-owned venues operated by Denver Arts & Venues. ARPA funding will be applied directly against costs typically billed back to the event or program organizer such as security, ushers, janitorial services, stagehands, on-site ticketing staff, etc. Additionally, DAV may reduce some rent costs for these events and programs. The reductions in rent and subsidies for hard costs are available to nonprofit organizations and for-profit entities as well as individuals who hold performances/events in a DAV facility between June 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024.
Learn more about the Cultural Partner Activation Program, including guidelines and requirements, and apply for funding for your cultural event or program.
At least 20% of the funding will be reserved for small businesses and organizations or individuals with annual revenues of $1,000,000 or less during 2021.
Funding will be available for performances, programs or cultural events open to the public held at DAV-operated venues such as Denver Coliseum, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Red Rocks Amphitheatre or McNichols Civic Center Building, especially events that complement or enhance Denver’s cultural programming and support Denver Arts & Venues’ mission to enrich and advance Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through the advancement of arts, cultural, and entertainment opportunities for all.
Through this program, Denver Arts & Venues will support music, visual arts, dance, film, theatre, educational activities and more.