The Dairy Arts Center was transformed from a milk processing facility into a multi-disciplinary community arts center in 1992. Since then, The Dairy has continued to fulfill their mission of providing diverse opportunities to create, learn and engage in high quality performing, cinematic and visual arts experiences in Boulder.
Drew Austin, Visual Arts Curator for The Dairy, plays an essential role in helping exhibitions come to life. “The priority through my curation is to uplift and support our community. I use my network and connections to bring nationally renowned artists to our space and, by doing so, also allow them to see the incredible work of our local community. My superpower is making connections between people and building relationships between places.”
City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture grant funding provides opportunities for The Dairy to bring unique exhibitions to Boulder like Chinn Wang’s Stay Puft, opening Friday, Feb. 23. Wang is a print media artist whose most recent exhibit explores transitions in life and death. She is also a Boulder local who serves as a Teaching Professor and Foundations Coordinator in the School of Art & Art History at the University of Denver.
For anyone considering applying for a Boulder Arts Commission Cultural Grant, Austin suggests being genuine. “It’s important to be authentic about what you want. Do it – regardless of if you get it. The more practice you have writing grant applications, the more likely you are to get them in the future. The questions on the applications are very specific, so make sure you answer them specifically.”
More exciting events coming soon to The Dairy include:
- An Access Gallery exhibition, born from a screen-printing workshop designed and led by artist Chinn Wang. Access Gallery is an inclusive nonprofit organization that engages the community by opening doors to creative, educational and economic opportunities for people with disabilities to access, experience and benefit from the arts.
- a place/we may or may not/actually visit by artist A Grix, CU Boulder MFA graduate.
- Boulder Valley School District’s (BVSD) annual showcase of high school and faculty artwork, including a fashion runway event.
For more information about upcoming events and opportunities, visit the Dairy Arts Center’s website at TheDairy.org and follow them on social media @dairyarts.
Image credit: Drew Austin and Curtis J. Tucker.