Denver Arts & Venues Launches Arts Complex Creates

 

DENVER – Denver Arts & Venues is thrilled to announce Arts Complex Creates, an exciting new initiative at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Set to amplify and diversify the city's cultural offerings in alignment with DENVER CREATES, the City of Denver’s renewed cultural plan launched earlier this year, Arts Complex Creates will foster creative collaboration between local, regional and national artists and arts organizations.

 

“Arts Complex Creates is about opening doors both literally and figuratively for artists across Denver and beyond,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “By providing access to world-class stages, financial support and promotional tools, we’re making sure that creative voices from every neighborhood have the opportunity to be heard. Together with DENVER CREATES, this initiative helps us build a more inclusive, more vibrant cultural landscape that brings people together and brings new energy to the heart of our city.”

 

Arts Complex Creates is designed to enrich the arts scene in Denver by welcoming new voices, experimental projects and innovative cultural expressions. With a focus on equity and community engagement, the program offers opportunities to artists through an application-based process that is rooted in accessibility and inclusivity.

 

Arts Complex Creates offers two distinct opportunities to artists, producers, collectives and organizations:

 

New Works Incubator
This program supports the creation, development, and presentation of new works with a focus on community engagement. It offers artists up to four weeks of development space at the Champa Rehearsal Studio, followed by a final presentation at an Arts Complex venue. Open to individual artists, artist collectives, and organizations, applicants can receive up to $25,000 in award amounts, with two to four projects anticipated annually. The program is open to individual artists, artist collectives and artist organizations in Colorado and nationally.

 

Producing Partners
This program invites Colorado-based creative professionals to present public performances or events at the Arts Complex. Selected projects will receive up to $50,000 in funding and marketing support from Denver Arts & Venues, with three to five projects expected annually. The program is open to independent artists, producers and arts organizations in Colorado.

 

The Arts Complex Creates application cycle runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 24, 2025. An informational session and venue tour is scheduled for Nov. 3 from 5-6:30 p.m. Denver Arts & Venues anticipates notifying selected applicants early January 2026, with programs launching February 2026 and lasting through the year.

 

“We are excited to open our doors to the creative community by providing access to our world-class venues in a new and innovative way,” said Jody Grossman, Venue Director of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. “Through this program, we hope to shine a spotlight on fresh perspectives, bringing diverse cultural offerings for our audiences.”

 

For more information, visit www.artscomplex.com/about/opportunities.

 

 

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About Denver Arts & Venues
Denver Arts & Venues’ mission is to enrich Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through the advancement of arts, culture and entertainment opportunities for all. Denver Arts & Venues operates Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum, Theatre at Loretto Heights and McNichols Civic Center Building, using proceeds from events at these venues to run and maintain these facilities and to provide access to art for all through free and low-cost community events, grants for artists and arts organizations, public art and art education. Using Good Times, For Good. For more information, visit www.ArtsandVenues.com