2022 funding supports the advancement of the arts in the Boulder community

City awards over 1.8 million dollars in local arts grants

Each year, the Boulder Arts Commission awards grants to local organizations, classrooms and individuals that support the well-being, prosperity and joy of the community through creativity. By supporting local arts organizations and artists, the Arts Commission funding enhances Boulder’s vibrancy, contributes to social cohesion and supports the ongoing recovery of the arts and culture industry, a sector of the local economy that was among those most impacted by the pandemic.

The Arts Commission has awarded 88 grants so far in 2022, with plans to award more, for a total of $925,000. In addition, the grants program will award another $915,000 dedicated from American Rescue Plan Act funds. These grants will address industry-specific, COVID-19-related workforce impacts through targeted grants to arts organizations.

A large part of funding goes to support General Operating Support Grants (GOS). This type of funding is particularly important for local arts organizations, as it supports their resiliency and sustainability by helping cover day-to-day activities, administrative costs, education programming and other critical costs of doing business. The goal of GOS funding is to maximize the ability of cultural organizations to achieve their missions and effectively serve the community. The recipients are diverse, including orchestral music, folk dance, arts service organizations, visual arts nonprofits, theaters, museums and more. For a full list visit the City of Boulder’s Office of Arts and Culture Grant Awards webpage.

In addition, several other arts initiatives will be funded with this year’s grants, including:

  • Community Projects for Individual Artists, designed to encourage professional artists of all genres to create new exhibitions, performances and experiences for the community. For instance, artist Silen Wellington will exhibit a new installation called Place Them on the Altar.
  • Community Project for Organizations are grants to support new events in theater, dance, music, visual arts and more. For instance, the Boulder Ballet will present their Adaptive Dance Program.
  • Professional Development Scholarships help artists and nonprofit professionals keep their business knowledge up to date and learn new skills in service to the community. For instance, artist Meghan Wilmesher will attend the Stained Glass Association of America SGAA 111th Annual Summer Conference in Toledo, Ohio.
  • The Cultural Field Trip Fund helps children who attend a Title 1 school to visit Boulder’s arts institutions and cultural destinations

“We are thrilled to be able to support these local organizations and artists as they work to connect the Boulder community with the arts,” said City of Boulder Council Member Tara Winer. “Arts are a critical component of a thriving community, and the city is committed to continue its efforts in this area.”

The mission of the City of Boulder’s Office of Arts and Culture is to facilitate an alignment in the community around its Vision for Culture, that together, we will craft Boulder’s social, physical and cultural environment to include creativity as an essential ingredient for the well-being, prosperity and joy of everyone in the community.

Learn more about the City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture on their website.

Boulder Ballet, Fall Concert at Chautauqua,
Amanda Tipton

Headline photo: Art Parts Creative Reuse Center, Altered Art Creativity Contest (featured entries in shop), photo credit Megan Gristey

Body photo: Boulder Ballet, Fall Concert at Chautauqua, photo credit Amanda Tipton