Program Overview

The application for the next round of Creative Neighborhoods funding will open in spring 2026.

The Creative Neighborhoods Program provides funding for community members to bring creative projects to life in their residential neighborhoods through resident-led, artist-collaborated efforts. These projects, from murals to music, dance, storytelling, etc. strengthen community connections, build neighborhood resilience and social cohesion, and celebrate Boulder’s diverse voices.

The maximum award will be $5,000 per project.

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Creative Neighborhoods Projects

View examples of completed Creative Neighborhoods Projects from previous years. 

  • Mural reading 'I'll tell you what freedom is to me - no fear'

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  • Colorful mural of wolves

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  • Mural of a whale and fish on a fence

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  • Colorful mosaic of a neighborhood

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  • Mural of bears on the side of a house

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  • Mural of a fox on the side of a garage

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  • Artist painting a bird mural on the side of a fence

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  • Artist painting a mural of women on the garage door of a house

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  • Colorful mural of an owl on the side of a fence

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  • Artist painting a cheetah on the side of a fence

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  • Mural of an owl and flowers on the side of a garage

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  • Mural of a rose on the side of a fence

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  • Abstract colorful mural in the road

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  • Mural of bears and flowers on the side of a fence

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  • Mural of eyes surrounded by abstract shapes

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    • Program Details

    Goals

    1. Build connection and belonging – support neighborhood-led projects that bring people together across cultures, generations, and places, and highlight Boulder’s diverse voices through storytelling, performance, and art.
    2. Advance equity in arts and culture – reduce barriers so all neighborhoods can access funding and resources, and ensure cultural opportunities are spread across the city, close to where people live.
    3. Support resilience through creativity – use arts and culture for healing and adaptation during social, economic, or environmental change, and strengthen neighborhood networks to support one another in hard times.
    4. Lift up local leadership and teamwork – give neighbors the chance to lead creative projects and build partnerships between artists, residents, and community groups.
    5. Employ local creatives – provide paid opportunities for Boulder’s artists, performers, and makers.
    6. Spread joy and well-being – create moments of joy, inspiration, and vitality that strengthen both individual and community well-being.

    Examples of Potential Eligible Projects

    Creative Neighborhoods: Community Projects can take many forms. Examples include (but are not limited to):

    • Murals and visual art on publicly facing surfaces (walls, fences, sidewalks, utility boxes) that reflect neighborhood identity, culture and stories.
    • Pop-up performances such as music, dance or theater events held on private property in neighborhood spaces.
    • Storytelling or oral history projects that gather and share community voices through podcasts, zines or neighborhood exhibitions.
    • Temporary art installations or creative activations of public space (e.g., sculpture, projection art, interactive installations).
    • Neighborhood celebrations that highlight cultural traditions, foodways and creative expression.
    • Creative placemaking projects like artist-designed benches, Little Free Libraries or neighborhood art walks.
    • Collaborative workshops where neighbors join together with local artists to create shared artworks - such as quilting, mosaics, weaving, or poetry walls.

    Application Overview

    Applications for the next round of Creative Neighborhood Projects will open in spring 2026.

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