Boulder Arts Blueprint Reputation and Identity

Boulder prides itself on being uniquely and unapologetically itself. It is a community proud of its gorgeous natural environment, curious and quirky spirit and deep commitment to creative expression. Through months of engagement, respondents noted the intertwining of art and nature as core to what makes Boulder, Boulder. Community members support this sentiment with their spending. In Boulder, spending on art and cultural events is over double that of other cities of a similar size. (11) Additionally, there is a particular delight for Boulder-grown, community-generated work. Specifically work with a risky edge or pieces that integrate art into everyday experiences.

Goal 3 works in lock-step with Goal 2. As Boulder strives to solidify its place as a regional beacon of the arts, it will simultaneously underscore the city’s reputation and identity as a place where art happens. This goal, however, points at actions that amplify, highlight and promote the city as such a place. It looks outwards, providing communication and marketing strategies to attract tourists and investors both nationally and internationally. It also looks inwards, offering ideas for documenting Boulder-specific histories and increasing communication within the homegrown arts and culture community.

Visibility and storytelling are forms of power. Implementation of this goal should ask who defines Boulder’s creative identity and whose stories are amplified. Efforts should recognize and honor histories that have been overlooked or excluded while intentionally weaving them into the city’s present and future cultural narrative. This includes identifying voices that have been missing but are essential to Boulder’s identity and partnering with communities in ways that are authentic, respectful and led by those communities themselves.

• Boulder’s arts and culture identity is clearly articulated, widely recognized and consistently communicated at local, regional and national levels
• Local artists, writers and designers will be paid to collaborate on storytelling efforts, reinforcing local support and elevating authentic voices
• The Sundance Film Festival catalyzes increased year-round artistic and cultural programming and visibility across the city
• Arts and culture are understood as essential contributors to Boulder’s quality of life, economic vitality and civic identity
• Local artists, cultural organizations and creative entrepreneurs gain greater visibility and recognition as ambassadors of Boulder’s creative spirit
• Boulder strengthens its reputation as a welcoming, distinctive and creatively driven city that attracts visitors, community members and investment

• Boulder Chamber
• Boulder County Arts Alliance
• Boulder County Film Commission
• Boulder Economic Council
• Boulder Public Library
• Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
• Colorado Creative Industries
• Communications Department
• Create Boulder
• Cultural organizations/venues
• Downtown Boulder
• Educational institutions
• Hospitality and major employers
• Office of Economic Development and International Trade
• Press outlets
• Regional and local festivals
• Visit Boulder

• Strengthen and expand Office of Arts & Culture communications—including Instagram, digital platforms and newsletters
• Continue expanding Boulder Arts Week (BAW) as a year-round promotional platform that elevates artists, nonprofits and creative enterprises

• Collaborate with local and regional partners to promote Boulder nationally as a leading arts and culture destination
• Integrate arts and culture into existing business and civic recognition platforms to elevate creative contributions as central to Boulder’s economic and civic leadership
• Produce ongoing creative profiles, videos and digital storytelling that celebrate local artists, nonprofits and cultural entrepreneurs
• Establish a Poet Laureate Program to elevate literary arts, amplify diverse voices and contribute to Boulder’s cultural identity
• Strengthen and align citywide messaging to ensure arts and culture are consistently reflected as essential to Boulder’s identity, civic priorities and long-term community well-being
• Build a shared cultural messaging toolkit for nonprofits, businesses and creative organizations that ensures consistent, compelling narratives about Boulder’s arts ecosystem

OZCAST was an initiative created by the Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) that centered hyper-local stories to shape a narrative about the region’s cultural identity. OZCAST was an experimental online variety show that included over 100 local artists. Episodes were grouped thematically across five acts: Inhabit, Gather, Exchange, Conflict and Balance. During the mini-series, artists were paid for creating new work and licensing existing content.

CACHE’s approach to place branding was rooted in authenticity. It foregrounded the very people who embody the region’s cultural spirit, turning their work into a collective showcase that communicates “who we are” to audiences both within and beyond Northwest Arkansas.

This strategy effectively positioned the region as a vibrant arts hub, helping to tell a nuanced story about its creative ecosystem while strengthening local artists’ professional visibility and community ties. It offers a model for how branding and cultural tourism can remain genuine, human-centered and unique.

Chicago. Begun in 2023, Chicago Poet Laureate program raises awareness about the city’s historic contribution to the literary discipline while celebrating the high-caliber of contemporary working artists. The program was created in partnership with The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Chicago Public Library (CPL) and the Poetry Foundation. Poet Laured serve two year terms and are awarded an honorarium of $70,000 ($35,000/year). During their tenure, Poet Laureates develop a unique creative work plan that includes a public program series.

The Poet Laureate is selected through a public nomination and review process. First, a public call for nominations is broadcast through the city. Nominated artists are then reviewed and a selection is invited to apply. Applications are then reviewed by a review Committee of 12 community leaders ranging across cultural disciplines. The recommended applicant must be approved by the Mayor.

Boston. In addition to their Poet Laureate program, Boston boasts longstanding Boston Youth Poet Laureate (BYPL) initiative. Residents between the ages of 13 - 19 are invited to apply and are selected via a Selection Panel made of poets, literary professionals and youth development advocates.

The BYLP performs a special project specifically meant to uplift young voices and connect youth with the arts. They also present their poetry at events, visit schools, receive mentorship from the Poet Laureate and have the opportunity to publish a book of their work which will be available at all public libraries. Poets received a stipend of $3,000 ($1,500/year) during their two year term.

Like the Chicago program, the BYPL is funded via partnerships between City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and local literary organizations like the Boston Public Library, Mass Poetry, GrubStreet, 826 Boston, Urban Word and the Fine Arts Work Center.

Boulder maintains a global reputation for literary arts and establishing a Poet Laureate program feels like a natural step.Learning from other city programs, Boulder’s potential Poet Laureate can pre-determine who can participate in municipal meetings (such as City Council), act as cultural ambassadors and create a body of work unique to the city immersion experience. During engagement events, Boulderites expanded upon this idea, suggesting Laureates for visual arts, theatre and other creative disciplines.

Made in Washington
Begun in 1984, “Made in Washington” is a retail and branding initiative that celebrates and markets locally crafted products from across Washington State. The program has grown from a single store featuring 50 items to a multi-location (and online) platform representing over 150 local makers, artists, entrepreneurs and food producers.

Goods with the “Made in Washington” moniker must not only be made within the state, but reflect a distinctive culture and creativity. Local creators and artisans thus become place-based cultural ambassadors through their wares. The designation reinforces Washington’s identity as a source of high-quality, locally made goods and supports small business growth.

Indiana Artisan
Indiana Artisan is a statewide branding and economic development program that elevates the state’s finest craftspeople, food producers and makers. The Indiana Artisan designation is awarded through a rigorous jury process to evaluate standards of design, technique and authenticity. Thus, it curates and promotes high-quality goods and artisans under a shared mark of excellence.

In addition to noting a high-quality standard, the designation also connects these creators to retail channels, marketing support and networking opportunities to expand their reach. In addition to its online and storefront presence, Indiana Artisan produces an annual viewbook, supports marketplaces and events and offers professional development, helping to build a cohesive brand identity around “best of Indiana-made” goods. This effort strengthens the regional creative economy by inviting residents and visitors to engage with the state’s cultural heritage through craft.