Leadership Pipeline Fund Scholarship

Si prefiere leer este documento en español, haga clic aquí. Se puede responder a la solicitud en español. Un miembro del personal de la Oficina de Artes y Cultura traducirá sus respuestas para que sean revisadas.

For this application in other languages please contact the Office of Arts + Culture Grants Manager Sarah Harrison at harrisons@bouldercolorado.gov.

Provide financial support and professional development opportunities to Boulder-based, emerging leaders focusing their career on equity in the arts. This scholarship aims to increase diversity and equity in arts leadership by empowering and elevating the voices of historically underrepresented individuals.

The scholarship will provide funding for individuals attending undergraduate or graduate studies, joining leadership training programs, and partaking in internship opportunities that will help scholarship recipients gain the skills and connections necessary to succeed in arts leadership roles focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

The program’s selection criteria will consider a number of factors including, but not limited to: applicants identify as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group and commitment to pursuing a career in arts leadership. The potential of the applicant to catalyze positive change in the equity environment of Boulder’s cultural industries. Preference will be given to applicants who have limited access to traditional leadership development opportunities due to financial, social, or cultural barriers.

Total funds: $16,000 total; two awards of $8,000.

Cycle: Opportunities must take place after the grant funding decision on August 27, 2025. May be used to cover classes and programs through December 2026.

Maximum Amounts for Scholarships: Scholarship funds may be used for program costs, tuition, room and board, food, and transportation.

Details: Individuals may apply for any program or opportunity they wish. In addition, we encourage participation in this specific program: CU Boulder Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration

• Wednesday, June 11 at 11:59 p.m. – Deadline for applications
• June 11 to 18 – Review by staff for eligibility and revision by applicants if necessary
• June 18 to July 2 – Preliminary review and comments by panel (15 days)
• July 2 to 9 – Comment processing by staff
• July 9 – Preliminary comments sent to applicants via email
• July 9 to 16 – Applicants prepare and send written responses to the panel’s questions. The written response should be emailed to Sarah Harrison at culturegrants@bouldercolorado.gov by Wednesday, July 16 at 11:59pm.
• July 16 to 18 – Response processing by staff
• July 18 – Responses sent to panel
• July 23 (est.) – Panel meeting to discuss applications
• July 23 to August 6– Final review and score by panel (15 days)
• August 6 to 22 – Processing of final scores
• August 22 – Final scores published in the Arts Commission meeting packet
• Wednesday, August 27 – Arts Commission meeting. Discussion and final decisions on grants Interview with the Commission

• General eligibility. Meets all general eligibility requirements.
• Emerging leaders. The fund is intended for individuals who are in the early stages of their careers within the creative and cultural sector and are demonstrating the potential to become influential and impactful leaders in this field. These individuals may include students, interns, artists, curators, arts administrators, cultural managers, and others involved in various aspects of the arts and cultural industries. Emerging leaders in the arts typically possess a combination of artistic talent or expertise, a strong passion for their chosen artistic discipline (such as visual arts, performing arts, literature, etc.), and the leadership qualities necessary to guide and shape the cultural landscape. These qualities may include creativity, innovation, the ability to communicate effectively, organizational skills, and a vision for the future of the arts.
• Types of Programs. Funding is limited to the costs of the applicant to participate in a specific education or internship program including tuition, room and board, transportation, supplies, or other direct costs. Preference will be given to undergraduate and graduate programs. In the case of internships, the costs of an organization or business to provide compensation to the intern may be considered.
• Opportunities must take place after the grant funding decision on August 27, 2025. May be used to cover classes and programs through December 2026.
• Award Limitations. One scholarship per individual will be awarded each year. Consideration will be given to maximize the number of organizations participating. The scholarship may only be used by the applicant for costs associated with attending the program described in the application; multiple recipients of a single scholarship are not eligible.

• Deliberation. Applicants may attend the Wednesday, August 27, 2025 meeting of the Arts Commission. Decisions will be made at the same meeting.
• Evaluation criteria.
  • Contribution to Boulder culture
  • Resume
  • Letter of recommendation

Log onto the Boulder Arts Commission online grant portal to preview and apply. If you have not logged on before, make a profile. Applications must be submitted using our online grant applications.

Grant report forms are on the Boulder Arts Commission grants software. Log in with the same user name and password utilized to submit the application. After logging in, go to the ‘Dashboard’, then you’ll see a ‘Follow Up’ section for the grant. On the far right is the ‘Edit’ button. That will take you to complete the final report.

After you submit the report you’ll receive email confirmation and copy of the report via the email that you have included in the report. Contact Sarah Harrison at harrisons@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-3907 if you do not receive email confirmation.

Written Appeals Process. The deadline for a written appeal is 14 days after funding decisions has been made by the Boulder Arts Commission. Find more information about the appeals process.