Boulder Arts Commission Statement on Disability Access

The Boulder Arts Commission affirms creative experiences are a public utility for all community members. We believe that creating a culture of inclusion goes beyond the baseline standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). When Accessibility expands beyond compliance everyone benefits, and more community members can participate, engage, and find themselves reflected in the creative life of Boulder.

The Boulder Arts Commission affirms that accessibility means removing the physical, financial, cultural, and linguistic barriers that have historically prevented specific communities from participating in and contributing to Boulder's creative life. It means designing programs, spaces, and communications with diverse needs in mind from the start.

The Boulder Arts Commission is committed to accessibility by continuing to encourage and support policies and practices, convenings, tools/resources, research and research methodologies, creative media offerings and designs, and planning processes to be increasingly inclusive and accessible. This commitment will be utilized as a guiding principle for future decision making.

We understand that accessibility means different things to different people. We encourage and support a plan for gradual, phased improvements, to build better habits, and maintain openness for the evolution of how accessibility is defined over time.

We want to acknowledge that Disability Justice work, and all equity work, isn’t complete anywhere and remains ongoing and ever evolving. We consider accessibility as an undercurrent rather than an endpoint.

Mission or the Accessibility Work Group: Our Arts Commission Accessibility Working Group is tasked with the ongoing work to ensure Boulder is a place where all individuals, regardless of their abilities or identities, can participate and thrive in the creative community. The Arts Commission will continue working with City staff to transform our internal policies and practices, convening accessible events, and providing our grantees and partners with resources and tools to go beyond the baseline legal standards.

Resources

  • Boulder Arts Commission Accessibility Self-Assessment: The accessibility self-assessment is meant to assist an organization’s facility, internal processes and audience support.
  • Bedrock Applicant Accessibility Analysis Report: 31 arts and cultural organizations applying for General Operating Support (GOS) grants were asked to describe past, current and future efforts to improve disability access. This report synthesizes those responses into key themes, identifies sector-wide strengths and gaps, and highlights areas where capital investment, technical assistance and policy support could accelerate progress.
  • Visitors Experiencing Disabilities: Information on accessible trails from the City of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP).
  • Accessibility and Belonging at Colorado Creative Industries: Resources from the state's arts agency, including upcoming disability etiquette trainings, digital and marketing accessibility, and National Endowment for the Arts tools for grantees.
  • Center for People with Disabilities Boulder: The Mission of the Center for People with Disabilities is to provide resources, information and advocacy to assist people with disabilities in overcoming barriers to independent living. They offer disability etiquette training.
  • Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD): Artists and administrators alike are encouraged to use the Boulder Arts Commission's Professional Development Fund or this opportunity to develop best practices and resources, engage in conversations with colleagues and experts from around the world, and learn practical methods for designing inclusive arts experiences and environments.
  • Disability Pride Month Passport: Highlights accessible organizations, destinations and attractions in the state.

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