Pottery Lab

Our state-of-the-art pottery lab features kick wheels, electric wheels, a treadle wheel, a slab roller, electric kilns, gas kilns, wood kilns, and a Raku kiln.

Pottery Class Information + Register

Pottery Lab Operations and Management Update

A Pottery Lab Working Group (PLWG), comprised of 12 members (community, staff and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), was established in February 2012 to make consensus recommendations to the city on ways to ensure the sustainability of the pottery program. The working group recommended that the city explore a nonprofit or public-private partnership.

An original Request for Proposal (RFP) for the management and operations of the Pottery Lab was issued in July 2013. One responsive proposal was submitted by Studio Arts Boulder (SAB). The city reviewed and accepted the proposal and began contract negotiations in January 2014. This lease and its extensions will expire at the end of the calendar year.

Pottery Program Management Assessment

Request for Proposals

The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department is soliciting proposals from organizations that have an interest in offering programming and leasing the Pottery Lab facility. Community groups and organizations are eligible to submit a Request for Proposal for this competitive opportunity through BidNet. Criteria to consider include:

Demonstrated experience in the operations and management of a financially sustainable community arts facility. Relevant ceramics experience preferred.
Demonstrated experience providing successful arts-based instruction and programming based on register participation in a ‘fee for service’ business model.
Willingness to partner and network with other organizations.

Applications must be received by 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. All formal Bids/RFPs are administered on Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System. Please refer to the Vendors' Guide for information on how to do business with the city.

Pottery Lab public-private partnership formed

The Parks and Recreation Department has entered into an agreement with Studio Arts Boulder (SAB) to manage and operate the Pottery Lab, located at 1010 Aurora Avenue. Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, this partnership will facilitate the delivery of high-quality programs with community partners to improve the provision of customer services to the Boulder community.

Pottery Lab History

The Pottery Lab moved into the former Boulder Fire Department Station No. 2 in 1963. The building was known as the Mt. St. Gertrude Fire Station for its proximity to the school established for children with tuberculosis. It was built in 1908 at the insistence of volunteer Fire Chief, George Fonda.

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