HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.28.26 BAC PacketBoulder Arts Commission Meeting Agenda
January 28, 2026 / 6:00 P.M.
Hybrid Meeting:
Office of Arts and Culture at Penfield Tate II Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway, Room N101 /
Online Video Meeting
1.ROLL CALL
2.CALL TO ORDER
Approval of agenda
3.MINUTES
Approval of the November 2025 meeting minutes
4.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
5.MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS (45 min)
A.Land Acknowledgement
B.Liaison Roles and Responsibilities
C.Liaison Updates
D.Commission Work Items
i.Arts Education
ii.Artificial Intelligence
iii.Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
iv.Accessibility
6.PUBLIC ART PROGRAM (15 min) – Rachel Cain
A.Experiments in Public Art: the BVCP Update Mural Project
7.GRANTS PROGRAM (15 min) – Sarah
A.Grant Reports
B.Update on Implemented Changes
C.Volunteers for Grant Panel meetings
8.MATTERS FROM STAFF (5 min) – Lauren
A.Questions about the Manager’s Memo
9.ADJOURNMENT
Next meetings:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
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CITY OF BOULDER
BOULDER, COLORADO
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS MEETING MINUTES
Name of Board/ Commission: Boulder Arts Commission
Date of Meeting: November 19, 2025
Contact information preparing summary: Ellie Kennedy, (303) 441-4032
Commission members present: Sheryl Cardozo, Maria Cole, Jeffrey Kash (Vice Chair), Jill Katzenberger, Caroline
Kert (Chair), Yaelaed Whyel
Commission members absent: Gaya Vinay
Staff present:
Matt Chasansky, CV Senior Manager of Cultural Vibrancy & District Vitality
Lauren Click, Arts and Culture Manager
Ellie Kennedy, CV Operations Specialist
Brendan Picker-Mahoney, Public Arts Program Manager
Cindy Sepucha, Arts Program Manager
Sarah Harrison, Arts/ Grants Program Manager
Melissa Mazany, CV Operations Associate
Matthew Beutler, Arts and Culture Specialist
Jake Hudson-Humphrey, Public Arts Program Coordinator
Guests present:
Philip Barash, Principal Strategic Planning and Placemaking, Public Sphere Projects (PSP)
Abby Jamiel, Associate Urban Planner, PSP
Members of the public present:
Georgia Schmid (Dance with Georgia)
Type of Meeting: Hybrid (Location: 1500 Pearl Street, Suite #300, Boulder, CO 80302)
Agenda Item 1: ROLL CALL
Ellie Kennedy, CV Operations Specialist took roll call; all commissioners were present except Gaya Vinay.
Agenda Item 2: CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
First motion by Maria Cole to approve the agenda as presented in the meeting packet. Second by Yaelaed Whyel.
There was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: MINUTES [00:01:51 Audio min.]
Approval of the October 2025 Retreat Minutes
First motion by Whyel to approve the minutes as presented in the meeting packet. Second by Jill Katzenberger. There
was no discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
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Agenda Item 4: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION [00:30:00 Audio min.]
This item moved to item 5
Georgia Schmid (Private Citizen) shared that the Brown Sugar Nutcracker performance is coming up later in the
month at New Vista High School.
Agenda Item 5: BOULDER ARTS BLUEPRINT [00:03:00 Audio min.]
This item moved to item 4
Philip Barash, Principal Strategic Planning and Placemaking at Public Sphere Projects (PSP), reminded the
commissioners of the previous work done on the project and shared the draft vision statement (the statement) his team
created from that work.
Abby Jamiel, Associate Urban Planner at PSP, discussed the statement with the commissioners. She shared five goals
that the team identified and how they incorporated those goals into the statement.
The commissioners and staff gave feedback on the statement:
-Sarah Harrison, Arts/ Grants Program Manager, asked if culture-bearers includes visitors, and shared that
they should include visitors in the language.
-Caroline Kert would like culture to be more descriptive, such as whose culture, and is worried about the
erasure of non-white cultures in the statement.
-Katzenberger is worried that visitors might not see the city taking accountability with the statement.
-Jeffrey Kash would like the statement to show what impact it can have.
-Whyel likes the idea that residents encounter creativity in their daily lives.
-The commission and the consultants discussed the nuances around using ‘risk’ and ‘risk-adverse’ in the
statement.
-They discussed removing language to shorten the statement.
-Lauren Click, Arts and Culture Manager, reminded the commission that the statement can be overarching and
one sentence, and the entire Boulder Arts Blueprint will contain more detailed language.
Barash shared that his team will return to the commission to seek further feedback in the future.
Agenda Item 6: MATTERS FROM COMMISSIONERS [00:33:39 Audio min.]
Item 6A: Liaison Updates
-Katzenberger shared that her event at Junkyard Social to get her liaisons together was successful. Frequent
Flyers is performing Rat Cracker this month. She reminded the commission about Colorado Gives Day.
-Cole shared that she has heard concerns from the arts community about the Sundance Institute competing for
grant funds as a nonprofit organization. Kert brought up that, at the Sundance Film Festival (Sundance) panel,
they discussed that the Sundance Institute will be able to solicit funding from larger sponsors. Cole also
shared concerns that an executive order labels organizations that do not align with the administration’s goals
as ‘terrorist organizations.’
-Kert shared that Turning the Wheel was impacted by the changes to the National Endowment for the Arts
(NEA) grants program, but they were able to secure funding from two other foundations. She discussed
upcoming events put on by Turning the Wheel in 2025 and 2026. Third Law Dance has performances in
November at The Dairy Arts Center (The Diary). The Boulder Chamber Orchestra is performing with a mini
chamber and piano, where they're doing works by Haydn, Schoenfield, and Torzak. The Boulder Opera is
scheduling their events for 2026. Compass Resonance is performing Mozart in December. Cultural Caravan is
hosting their Mile High Havana event. Kert added that the VIVA Theater production of Murder on the Orient
Express was fun, and the gala hosted by Kutandara was successful.
-Whyel shared that the Cantabile Singers performed and offered a free live stream of the performance. The
Spark is putting on a production of the musical Ride the Cyclone. They are hoping to have an update about
KGNU in January.
-Sheryl Cardozo shared that she has attended several plays. She also went to a Halloween production by The
Catamounts, and the show Drag Queen Magic at The New Local. She shared a media education program that
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the Arts Media Institute is developing in-step with Sundance. The Jewish Community Center (JCC) has
upcoming art exhibits, and Boulder Symphony is hosting a yoga event in December.
-Kash shared that he has attended several events over the past three months. He also shared two upcoming
fundraiser events for Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) and VIVA Theater.
Item 6B: Commission Work Items
-Arts Education
Whyel shared they are scheduling meetings for 2026.
-Artificial Intelligence
Kert shared they are scheduling meetings for 2026.
-Sustainability and Climate Adaptation
Kash shared they are scheduling meetings for 2026.
-Accessibility
Katzenberger shared they are scheduling meetings for 2026.
Item 6C: Letter to Council
Katzenberger shared the draft letter she wrote, and the commissioners discussed the content and edited the language
for clarity.
Cole moved that the commission endorse the letter to City Council and Whyel seconded. There was no discussion and
the motion passed unanimously.
Item 6D: Letter about Changes to Zoning Code
Cole shared the draft letter she wrote, and the commissioners discussed the content and edited the language for clarity.
Kert and Kash shared appreciation for Cole’s research and made stylistic suggestions.
Whyel moved that the commission endorse the letter to City Council and staff and Kash seconded. There was no
discussion and the motion passed unanimously.
Item 6E: Arts Commission Interview Questions
The commission had no comments or questions about the interview questions.
Item 6F: Land Acknowledgement Discussion
Kert gave background on the committee that has been working on the Land Acknowledgement for the Arts
Commission. She and Click discussed the scenarios under which the Land Acknowledgment should be read, such as
when a grant that would impact an Indigenous Peoples program will be discussed during the meeting.
Cole shared concern that this is leaning out of, instead of into, the Land Acknowledgement and the work that should be
done to support it. Kert agreed that doing more feels better but wants to make sure the work being done consults
Indigenous community leaders and members. Whyel added that this should be an ongoing process in 2026. Kert
suggested revisiting the initiative in 2026. Kash and Click discussed bringing in Indigenous artists for city projects.
The commission agreed to discuss the topic more at the January Arts Commission meeting.
Agenda Item 7: PUBLIC ARTS PROGRAM [01:24:14 Audio min.]
Item 7A: Fire Station 2 Final Selection
Jake Hudson-Humphrey, Public Arts Program Coordinator, shared the project overview including the timeline, budget,
goal, where they are in the process to date, the Public Arts Selection Panelist, the Technical Review Committee
members, and the location.
The semi-finalists are:
-Confluence by Douwe Studios from Kentucky
-The Resilient Moon by The Milligan Studio from Minnesota
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APPROVED ON:
APPROVED BY: ATTESTED:
_________________________________________ ___________________________________
Board Chair Board Secretary
________________________________________ ___________________________________
Date Date
- Rainspark by Hou de Sousa from New York
The selection panel recommended Rainspark.
Katzenberger moved that the commission approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the
proposal by artist Hou de Sousa advance to the City Manager for final approval. Cardozo seconded. There was no
discussion and the motion passed unanimously.
Kert and Brendan Picker-Mahoney, Public Arts Program Manager, discussed the paused public art project on The Hill
and other options for 2026.
Agenda Item 8: GRANTS PROGRAM [01:35:28 Audio min.]
Item 8A: Grant Reports
Harrison shared the options for the commissioners to choose from:
a. Approve all reports
b. Approve individual reports while submitting specific questions,
c. Postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions, and/or
d. Not approve the reports and cancel the final 20% payments.
Cole moved that the commission approve the grant reports from Street Wise Arts and The New Local and Whyel
seconded. The commission discussed the reports and asked about the budgets. The motion passed unanimously.
Harrison shared upcoming invents in 2025 and 2026.
Item 8B: Commissioners Applying for Grants
This topic will be discussed at a future meeting.
Agenda Item 9: MATTERS FROM STAFF [01:38:30 Audio min.]
Item 9A: Questions about the Manager’s Memo
The commission had no comments or questions about the Manager’s Memo.
Agenda Item 10: ADJOURNMENT [01:40:29 Audio min.]
There being no further business to come before the commission at this time, Kert adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.
Date, time, and location of next meeting:
The next Boulder Arts Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. This is a
hybrid meeting to be held at The City of Boulder’s Community Vitality Department and via a Zoom webinar link.
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TO: Members of the Boulder Arts Commission
FROM: Lauren Click, City of Boulder Office of Arts + Culture,
Office of Cultural and Economic Development
DATE: January 23, 2026
SUBJECT: Manager’s Update for the Boulder Arts Commission
Meeting on January 28, 2026
> To maximize access, the January 28, 2026, meeting of the Arts Commission will be held as a hybrid in-person /
video meeting. The Arts Commission, members of the community, and staff may attend either in person or by
video.
The in-person meeting will be held at the Office of Arts and Culture at Penfield Tate II Municipal Building,
1777 Broadway, Room N101. Due to room capacity, there may be a limited number of seats available for
members of the community to attend in person.
− To attend, please make a request by email to rsvp@bouldercolorado.gov by Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at
12:00 p.m. Please indicate in your email if you are requesting to attend in person or by video.
> Notes on the January Meeting Agenda
− 5A. Land Acknowledgement Discussion. Over the past year and a half, staff and the Arts Commission have
gone through a thoughtful process regarding the Land Acknowledgment. This has included moderated
discussions with the City’s Engagement team, as well as a conversation with leaders involved in the City’s
ongoing work with Indigenous communities. As a result of this process, and following a citywide practice, it
is the staff recommendation that the Arts Commission no longer read the Land Acknowledgment at the
start of every meeting. This follows an accepted best practice to share a land acknowledgment only when
our work directly involves or impacts Indigenous communities. We also know that reading something does
not always lead to action, and we want to continue to create a culture of standing behind our
words. However, that does not preclude us or relieves us from the shared responsibility each of us has in
continuing to gain better awareness on the crucial legacy of Indigenous culture and ancestral knowledge.
In future meetings where we are directly engaging with Indigenous communities, partners, programs or
events, it is recommended that the acknowledgment be included and to clarify why it is being shared.
- 5B. Liaison Roles and Responsibilities. Over time, the roles and responsibilities associated with serving as
a General Operating Support (GOS) recipient liaison have evolved. As the number of GOS grantees has
expanded, so too has the number of liaison assignments per Commissioner. There is interest from the
Commission in discussing and reaching shared agreement on the expectations, scope, and
responsibilities of the liaison role. The description below reflects the language that is currently shared with
Commissioners as part of the annual commission assignment process.
Each year, Arts Commissioners are assigned as liaisons to our General Operating Support (GOS) grant
recipients. This is an informal but purposeful position intended to build a relationship with our grantees,
provide support and encouragement outside of the grant itself (which makes the funding more effective),
and give the Commission insights into the conditions of the arts community.
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As a liaison we ask that you reach out to the organization once or twice annually to see how they are faring:
if they have challenges, triumphs, or updates. You may report back to the Commission in a short (less than
a paragraph) report if you’d like. Reports will be included in the meeting packets.
−6A, Experiments in Public Art: the BVCP Update, Mural Project. The final project in the Experiments in
Public Art: Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Update series is a mural that will visualize a future vision
for Boulder informed by the outcomes of the Comprehensive Plan. A selection panel composed of
Planning and Engagement staff reviewed the mural artist roster and selected five finalists. The Standing
Selection Panel recommended the addition of a sixth finalist. Three of the invited artists completed
proposals.
At the meeting, Commissioners will be asked to confirm that the selection process adhered to the Public
Art Policy and to recommend the finalist proposal move forward for City Manager approval.
At the meeting, we will discuss the selection and approval process, including review of the three finalist
applications and recommendation. The budget for the project is $20,000. The Standing Selection Panel
voted 4 to 1 in favor to recommend artist Android Jones for the project commission.
Recommended Motion: "I move that the process was properly conducted and the selected artist for
the Experiments in Public Art: The BVCP Update Mural Project, Android Jones, be recommended to the
City Manager for approval.”
−7A, 2026 Grant Reports
The Community Project Grant reports requiring action have been distributed to Arts Commission members
by email. These are the reports being discussed:
−Georgia Schmid (Dance with Georgia), Brown Sugar Nutcracker, $5,000
−Motus Theater, What Love Requires: Stories by Parents of Gender-Diverse Children, $10,000
The Artist Hiring Incentive Grant report requiring action has been distributed to Arts Commission members
by email. The report being discussed:
−Dance with Georgia, Brown Sugar Nutcracker, $3,000
The Leadership Pipeline Scholarship Fund report requiring action has been distributed to Arts Commission
members by email. The report being discussed:
−Adriana Paola Palacios Luna, Studio Art Associate of Arts program, Front Range Community College,
$8,000
At the meeting Commission members will vote on the approval of the reports. Commissioners have the
options to:
a.Approve all reports,
b.Approve individual reports while submitting specific questions,
c.Postpone approval of individual reports pending the answers to specific questions, and/or
d.Not approve individual reports and cancel the final payments.
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Recommended Motion:
“I move that we approve the reports from Georgia Schmid, Dance with Georgia, Motus Theater, and
Adriana Paola Palacios Luna.”
− 7B, Update on Implemented Changes. The grant program this year was influenced by the Boulder Arts
Blueprint feedback staff received, as well as the City's Racial Equity Toolkit and input from the community
and the Arts Commission. Some grants program processes were changed to follow community wide
interests and equity. Staff received feedback that the community wanted, one, more accessible grants
and, two, to encourage experimental, new projects and easier access for new and emerging artists and
organizations. In the interest of these two goals, applicants who hadn’t received a particular grant before
were able to apply for the first come, first serve grants a week before prior applicants. The numbers reflect
the successful impact of this change. Below are the 2025 versus 2026 awardee statistics:
Number of First Time vs. Return Applicants 2026,
Round One
First-Time Return Grand Total
Artist Hiring 3 4 7
Professional Development 10 10
Grand Total 13 4 17
Compared to 2025 data below:
Number of First Time vs. Return Applicants 2025,
Round One
First-Time Return Total
Artist Hiring 1 5 6
Professional Development 4 4
Grand Total 1 9 10
Early Application Access for First Time Applicants
As one might imagine, first-time applicants were thrilled to be awarded grants. One first-time applicant
said, “As someone with a learning disability and for whom English is a second language, this funding
means a great deal to me. It will support not only my own artistic practice, but also my ability to provide an
accessible studio space where others can create, learn, and feel supported.” Another said, “It’s really
badass how Boulder supports the larger ecosystem of the arts...so long-view and impactful!” On the other
hand, some applicants who typically receive a first-come, first-served grant each year, and did not this
year, were understandably disappointed.
On an administrative level, there could be improvements to the application process. Staff will be creating
two separate applications (one for first time applicants and one for previous applicants) in the portal in
order to decrease confusion.
Pre-Application
This year, a pre-application was added to the process for competitive grants in order to prevent ineligible
applicants from wasting time on a full application. The practice is working very well.
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−7C, Commissioners needed for Grant Panel meetings. 2026 Boulder Arts Commission Grant Program
competitive grants will be reviewed by a Grants Panel. The Panel will review applications and score
according to the Arts Commission’s Scoring System and Rubric. The Grant Panel’s responsibility is to
make a final recommendation to the Boulder Arts Commission on which grants to award. Per the Grant
Panel Information document reviewed and approved by this Commission at the October 2025 retreat,
“Each grant panel will include a minimum of five voting members. An Arts Commissioner will attend each
review discussion meeting to observe the process as ex-officio, non-voting participant.” Staff are in need
of one Commissioner to volunteer to act as this non-voting, ex-officio during the following panel meetings
(each just before the Commission meeting for that month):
-General Operating Support new applications, March 25, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
-Boulder Vision Grants for Organizations, April 22, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
-Boulder Vision Grants for Individuals, May 27, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
-Arts Education Project and Lifelong Learning Grants, June 24, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
>Commission Correspondence
The transparency practices of the Boulder Arts Commission require that emails to three or more members of
the Commission be published in the public record. There was no correspondence sent between the
publication of the November 19, 2025, and January 23, 2026, meeting packets.
>Staff Updates
>Administration and Planning
Boulder Arts Blueprint Update:
- An executive summary of the Phase 1 and grant program review, analysis, and recommendations
are on the website.
-Work on Phase 2 is in progress. Extensive research from Phase 1, incorporating community voices,
national best practices, and citywide goals, is being translated into clear goals, outcomes, and
actions. The Arts Blueprint will align public priorities with practical tools for implementation,
including policy, funding, programming, and partnerships.
-The Arts Commission will receive the final draft at the March 2026 meeting, and it will be presented
to City Council at a Study Session on April 9. A Launch Party is scheduled for April 12 during
Boulder Arts Week.
The Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update is advancing through Phase 4, “A Boulder Future,” where
staff are refining proposed policy options and land-use strategies based on community input gathered over
the past year to prepare the draft plan. Upcoming steps include a community celebration of the process on
March 10 at the Dairy Arts Center, presentation to City Council and Planning Board on March 26 to review
the draft plan which will include updated policies and land use map. Staff will also return to the Arts
Commission to share the public review draft in March 2026. Adoption is anticipated this summer, followed
by implementation.
>Grants and Programs
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In order to make grant eligibility navigation easier for applicants, staff commissioned a ‘choose your own
adventure’ style Grant Adventure, illustrated by Will Betke-Brunswick. (Attachment One) The response has
been positive. One applicant said, “What a brilliant idea! I love the ease and playfulness in navigating what
grants might be most suitable for each endeavor.” Staff is currently working on making a PDF version of the
Grant Adventure accessible, so that it can be published on the website. Staff is brainstorming ways that
this could be used and disseminated.
Attachment Two is a report on the 2025 administratively approved report highlights. Attachment Three is a
follow up request of the detailed CRAFt festival budget.
Thirty-eight grants and five fee waivers have been awarded since the start of the year. A summary of these
awards can be found below. The demand far exceeded the supply for first come, first serve grants. Staff is
tracking demand through an interest form. So far, staff has received 29 inquiries from those who wanted to
apply for a grant but did so after the funding was encumbered. The breakdown of the demand to date is as
follows: one for the Grant Writing Fund, 18 for the Professional Development Fund, 10 for the Rental
Assistance, three for the Artist Hiring Grant (some submissions contained multiple grants). Staff will
continue monitoring demand in order to inform the budget process for the 2027 Cultural Grants Program.
The following Grant Writing Fund awards were administratively approved in advance of the meeting:
-Ana Balzan
-Benjamin Basseches
-Cameron Ely-Murdock
-Courtney Jordan Siegel
-John Trautwein
-Matthew Duffy
-Sarah D'Antoni (Ancestral Weavings)
-Scott Cunningham (Boulder High School Theater Parent Group)
-William Thomas
The following Professional Development Fund (Round 1) awards were administratively approved in
advance of the meeting:
-Allison Volk, Austin Film Festival and Writers Conference, Austin, TX, $1,600
-Aspen Everett, Sitka Center for Art & Ecology Artist Residency, Otis, OR, $1,600
-Brenda Kahn (Fireside Ink Writers Workshop), Jackson Hole Writers Conference, Jackson, WY,
$1,600
-Emily King, Association of Art Museum Curators Conference, New York, NY, $1,600
-Joy Alice Eisenhauer (ACE: Arts Culture Education at the Boulder JCC), Colorado Creative
Industries Summit, Trinidad, CO, $800
-Kathryn Harms, One Harp World, Toronto, Canada, $1,600
-Loie Merritt, Aspen Summer Words Writers Conference, Snowmass Village, CO, $800
-Radna Segal, Cultural Exchange between North and South America, Garzon, Uruguay, $1,600
-Robert Sher-Machherndl (Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet), Dance as Medicine and
Social Prescribing, Vienna, Austria, $1,600
-Sarah MacGregor, Pina Bausch Lab at Orsolina 28 Art Foundation Residency, Moncalvo, Italy,
$1,600
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The following Artist Hiring (Round 1) awards were administratively approved in advance of the meeting:
-Aspen Everett/Boulder Public Library, Spotlight: A Boulder Notoriety Show, $3,500
-Boulder Chamber Orchestra, The Art of the Requiem, $3,500
-Fireside Ink Writers Workshop, One Act New Plays Festival, $3,500
-KGNU Community Radio, KGNU – Street Wise Arts: KGNU Radio Week Mural, $3,500
-Kin Studio and Gallery, Live Music at the Studio Series, $3,500
-Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet, Sally Can't Dance, $3,500
-Street Wise Arts, Mural Making with Age Well Seniors, $3,500
The following Rental Assistance Grants and Fee Waivers were administratively approved in advance of the
meeting:
-Ars Nova Chamber Singers, RubyFIRE: Shared Visions, April 26, 2026, Dairy Arts Center, $1,200
-Band of Toughs, Bar at the End of the World/The Tempest (Collaboratory), Multiple Dates, Junkyard
Social Club, $1,000
-Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Masterpiece Series Finale: A Symphonic Saga, May 23, 2026, Macky
Fee Waiver
-Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Season Concerts at the Boulder Adventist Church, May 2, 2026,
Boulder Adventist Church, $1,200
-Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Lyricism and Brilliance, March 22, 2026 at Macky Auditorium,
Macky Fee Waiver
-Fireside Ink Writers Workshop, Fireside Ink One Act New Plays Festival, May 9, 2026, Junkyard
Social, $400
-Frequent Flyers, The Light vs The Dark, April 5, 2026, Dairy Arts Center, $1,200
-Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra, Fall Concert 2026, November 8, 2026, Macky Fee Waiver
-Mariposa Collective, Resonance, February 1, 2026, Dairy Art Center, $1,200
-Moon & Stars Foundation dba Kutandara, 2026 Dance with the Moon Spring Concert, May 5, 2026,
eTown Fee Discount
-Parlando School for the Arts, Parlando Summer Staged Shows, July 21, 2026, Dairy Arts Center,
$1,200
-Rebecca-Sophia Strong, Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us® Viewing Party and Community Gathering,
March 22, 2026, eTown Hall, $1,200
-Sophia Strong Studios, Cosmogenesis: The Story of Us®, eTown Fee Waiver
-Starfish Film LLC, Starfish Mixer, January 31, 2026, The Riverside, $1,200
-The Catamounts, Burning Bluebeard by Jay Torrence, February 21, 2026, Dairy Arts Center, $1,200
-ThinkBo LLC, CreativeMornings Boulder Event at Boulder Arts Week, April 12, 2026, Junkyard Social
Club, $1,000
-Trash the Runway, Trash the Runway 2026 Show, February 7, Macky Fee Waiver
The following Cultural Field Trip Fund awards were administratively approved in advance of the meeting:
-Justice High School (12th Grade Students) to attend Bad Books at the Dairy Arts Center, $2,000
-University Hill Elementary School (Lauren Jost 2nd Grade Classroom) to participate in arts
activities at The New Local, $2,000
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The following Artist Hiring Incentive Grant reports were administratively approved in advance of the
meeting:
-Boulder Metalsmithing Association, Sample Creation for BoMA Students, $3,000
-East Window, FRAME Literary Salon with Max Davies, $3,000
-T2 Dance, Peter Davison Collaboration, $3,000
-The Spark A Performing Arts Community, Musical Choreographer, $3,000
The following Rental Assistance Grant and fee waiver reports were administratively approved in advance of
the meeting:
-Boulder Ballet, The Nutcracker, Macky Fee Waiver
-Boulder Chorale, Boulder Chorale 2025 Holiday Concert, First United Methodist Church of Boulder,
$1,000
-East Window, Todd Herman, Journal of Written and Visual Arts, $1,000
-Fairview Band Booster Organization, Fairview High Evening of Jazz, eTown Hall, $1,000
-Fairview Band Booster Organization, Fairview High Evening of Jazz, eTown Hall Fee Waiver
-Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra, Fall Concert 2025, Macky Auditorium, $1,000
-Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra, Fall Concert 2025, Macky Auditorium, Macky Fee Waiver
-NoBo Art District, pARTy for the Arts: NoBo Art District Fundraiser, Roots Music Project, Roots Fee
Waiver
-T2 Dance, Voices, Dairy Arts Center, $1,000
In Attachment Four, please find a current grants program budget.
>Public Art Program
Staff have joined discussions regarding the Boulder Strong Memorial project, which will honor those
affected by the King Soopers tragedy. Planning has begun for a potential installation behind the East
Boulder Community Center, in partnership with Parks and Recreation and the City Manager’s Office. The
project may include the commissioning of a sculpture.
Staff are being integrated into the planning and design process for Civic Area Park led by Parks and
Recreation. Public art opportunities may be incorporated into the project, including the potential use of the
1% for Art Policy to support future artworks.
Staff continue to work on Public Art Implementation Plan updates.
Staff is working on improving and expanding the public art tour program in Summer 2026.
A self-guided version of the Downtown Boulder Public Art Tour is now available. Staff is now working on
including public art and urban design projects to the “Cultural Asset Map,” being created with GIS
software.
Work continues on expanding the public art presence in social media and the newsletter.
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Staff continue to work with the budget office on public art funding procedures in the Capital Improvement
Program and the Community Culture Resilience and Safety Tax (CCRS) allocations. This is also part of the
discussions related to the Blueprint process.
Staff continue to support colleagues in Planning and Development Services on improvements to the public
art permitting process. This is also part of the discussions related to the Blueprint process.
Staff continue to support colleagues in the Parks and Recreation Department, Transportation Department,
and other departments on a number of projects. This is also part of the discussions related to the Blueprint
process.
Public Art Commissioning Updates:
- Western City Campus (Alpine Balsam): Three artists were selected for the public art projects
throughout the site. Contracting is complete and artists are working on preliminary design phase.
- Urban Design - 19th and Upland (Anthony Garcia): Mural is complete.
- Art in Parking Garages: 11th and Spruce (David Franklin): Fabrication. Permit has been approved,
and artists will begin install in February.
- Uni Hill Public Art: On hold.
- Central Avenue Bridge Project: Contracting complete and moving into “preliminary design”.
- Fire Station 2 and 4: The selected proposal was approved at the November 19, 2025 Arts
Commission meeting. The selection has been ratified by the City Manager and staff is awaiting
budget updates in order to initiate the artist contract.
- East Boulder Community Center: On hold.
- Gregory Canyon Creek Project: Orientation meeting occurred on Monday, Sept. 22 and RFQ is
being drafted.
- Bear Creek Greenway: Finalist selection meeting scheduled for February 11.
- Staff have begun planning work on another Transportation project tied to streetscape
improvements at Broadway and Baseline. Will initiate in late 2026.
Experiments in Public Art:
- Three new temporary art/performance projects were selected and approved. Staff is organizing the
projects and engaging a videographer to document the projects. First project takes place during
Boulder Arts Week.
- Two exhibitions are planned for the Experiments in Public Art: Comp Plan Series. On March 10,
there will be a small display of the series together with the unveiling of the Comp Plan at the Dairy.
There will be an exhibition in the Canyon Gallery at the Boulder Public Library in the summer.
Maintenance and Conservation:
- Accessible Signage: Staff are in the information gathering process for the Accessible Signage Plan.
- A maintenance assessment of the 17 works of art in the collection was recently completed. Staff
are planning maintenance for several artworks in need of cleaning and waxing and are currently
initiating contracts to complete these projects.
In Attachment Five, please find the public art program 5-year budget.
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>Creative Neighborhoods
All approved projects from the 2025 round of Creative Neighborhoods funding are now underway, with
community leads and artists collaborating to launch their initiatives. Project completion is expected
between November 2025 and July 2027.
Creative Neighborhoods project funds will again be made available in 2026. Staff plan to engage
Community Connectors through the city’s Outreach and Engagement team to gather feedback on the
program’s future direction. Additionally, staff are reaching out to partners in the Housing and Human
Services team to ensure the program benefits all members of Boulder’s community.
>Venues
Work continues to provide support on the proposal from the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
(BMoCA) to relocate their facility to a new location in the NoBo Art District.
The Venue Study was completed and published on our website in December. The Cultural Assets Map has
been made public, and staff are working to make it more user-friendly while adding additional components
such as Creative Neighborhoods projects, publicly visible non–city-owned murals, “third spaces”, along
with equity overlays. Once finalized, the map will serve as a resource for identifying gaps and opportunities
in access to arts and cultural spaces across Boulder.
>Professional Artists
The 2025 Artist Census Report is now available on the Office of Arts and Culture website, providing an
updated view of the experiences, needs, and priorities of artists working in Boulder. Staff are continuing to
integrate findings from a recent CU Boulder Leeds School of Business study and the City’s 2023
Community Survey to provide additional context on Boulder’s creative ecosystem.
The most recent Artist Meetup was held on January 14, focusing on creative participation in City boards
and commissions. Guest speakers shared insights and practical guidance, including nuts-and-bolts
information from the City’s elections administrator. Staff are planning the next Artist Meetup for late
February or early March, which will focus on strategies for promoting individual artists, including social
media and other tools for visibility.
>Civic Dialog / Boulder Arts Week
Boulder Arts Week (BAW) 2026 preparations are underway. Consultation with community partners
affiliated with the Boulder Fringe Festival has generated ideas for expanded grassroots promotion and
informed the development of a more robust promotional toolkit for BAW participants. This toolkit,
designed to support project-level promotion while reinforcing BAW-wide visibility, is scheduled for release
in February.
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BAW image contest winners were announced earlier in January, and sponsored projects have been fully
funded. Sixteen projects received support from the Office of Arts and Culture, with additional contributions
from other city offices, local organizations and individual donors, resulting in a total of more than 22
sponsored projects for BAW 2026.
Nominations for the second annual Boulder Arts Week Awards are open through Wednesday, January 28,
at midnight. Nominees will be notified and invited to submit supplemental materials for jury review as part
of the winner selection process.
Staff are collaborating with CU Boulder partners to organize and co-manage a series of gatherings that
connect community arts stakeholders with CU’s arts and culture representatives, strengthening alignment
between campus and local creative initiatives. The next gathering is being planned and will take place
during Boulder Arts Week.
Staff also continue to promote funding opportunities and promotional outlets for projects associated with
the 150 Colorado/250 United State anniversaries commemoration, which will take place throughout 2026.
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Illustrated by Will Betke-Brunswick
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2025 ADMINISTRATIVELY APPROVED
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Many of the Boulder Arts Commission’s grants are approved administratively
by staff. The purpose of this summary is to feature elements of these reports
for the Boulder Art Commission to see. If you want to learn more about any of
these grant opportunities, please email culturegrants@bouldercolorado.gov.
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ADMINISTRATIVELY-APPROVED
2025 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
SCHOLARSHIPS
Laura Malpass on attending
The Power of Movement:
Dance Education Traditions
and Innovations in Detroit, MI
“The embodied experiential
workshops provided
immediate actionable ideas. I
have already started
implementing some of the
strategies with my students
this fall...and continuing work
in building a network of
ballet educators interested in
conversations around
reimagining pedagogy for a
more inclusive future. Thank
you so much for the financial
support for this professional
development opportunity -
invaluable!”
Soleil Kohl on attending
Theatre of the Funny
Creation School 3 week
intensive in London, UK
“I worked with international
artists from around the globe
in a study of physical theater,
comedy, costuming, and
devising short pieces for the
stage. These skills I learned I
can now apply to my personal
work as an artist/creator, but
also as a teacher to spread
technical skills into the
creation of stage work with
my students here in Boulder.”
Megan Mazzoni on attending
the Colorado Creative
Industries Summit in Grand
Junction
“This year’s summit was
exceptionally beneficial for
me as a representative for
the NoBo Art District. Our
team has been busy
preparing our application for
certification. Getting the
chance to discuss this journey
with individuals from across
the state - and CCI’s own
team - was priceless.
Cultivating connections
virtually is one thing, but
being able to network and
visit with people in person
can make a big difference.
The most important aspect
that I brought back with me
when it comes to advocating
for art in our community
(especially when other civic
priorities are also being
advocated for) is to think
about “arts AND”, not just
“art OR”.
Encouraging leadership
and the sharing of good
practices through
professional
development will
advance our creative
economy, support
professionals and
businesses, and enhance
cultural dialogue
$8,000 awarded to
11 applicants
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CULTURAL
FIELD TRIP
FUND
Columbine Elementary 2 grade field trip
to The New Local Gallery for International
Women’s Day
nd
“We greatly appreciate the funding to take
our students on this type of learning
opportunity. It is just the kind of experience
they will treasure and always remember.”
Columbine Elementary 4th grader field trip
to see the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra
at Macky Auditorium
“We enjoyed that the concert this year was
bilingual (English/Spanish) so all of our
students were able to access the content.
The music selected for the concert was
thoughtful and engaging for 10 year olds,
and very interactive. Students got to
practice using ASL signs for one song, and
they got to sing along. It was a great
opportunity for students to see an
orchestra play in real time; hopefully this
will provide inspiration and excitement as
these students will select band and
orchestra instruments to play in the coming
school year.”
Provides opportunities for
children at Title 1 schools in
the Boulder Valley School
District to have direct
experience with Boulder’s
arts institutions and cultural
destinations
$10,000 awarded
to 6 applicants
ADMINISTRATIVELY-APPROVED
2025 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
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RENTAL
ASSISTANCE
GRANTS
Trash the Runway on
renting Macky Auditorium
“The cost of renting Macky
and the audio visual
component necessary to
make an event at this size
enjoyable for our audience
is high. We had to hire
additional staff because we
sold out the ground floor of
Macky Auditorium. With a
larger than expected
number of participants the
show lasted longer which
also increased our costs.
With the help of your rental
assistance, we were able to
defray these costs.”
Samba Colorado on renting
The Spark Boulder
“The Rental Assistance
Grant was our saving grace
for our Samba Queen
Program. If we hadn't
received the Rental
Assistance Grant from the
Spark, our program would
have been cancelled. We
are beyond grateful for this
timely assistance, which
salvaged our program and
allowed us to share the joy
of dance with our
community!
It was truly a saving grace!”
To facilitate and assist
community cultural groups
with access and affordability
of performance venues, the
Boulder Arts Commission is
offering support in the form
of rental assistance
Empathy Theater on
renting the Dairy Arts
Center
“Given that we are a
small team of
hardworking artists
operating on a small
budget, the rental
assistance helped us
immensely in paying for
our space at the Dairy
Arts Center. At Empathy
Theatre Project we
prioritize paying our
actors, musicians, crew,
and technical staff, as
well as providing many
complimentary tickets to
BIPOC and under-
resourced community
members. The
commitment to both of
those mission-based
efforts requires
significant resources, so
having assistance to pay
our rent for the facility is
hugely helpful in
executing our
programming. Thank
you!!”
$37,000 awarded
to 38 applicants
ADMINISTRATIVELY-APPROVED
2025 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
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Boulder Opera Company on
hiring pianist Mario Barbosa
“Mr. Barbosa played an
essential role in
strengthening the musical
quality and continuity of our
productions. In addition to
his work on the mainstage,
Mr. Barbosa contributed to
seven school
performances of our bilingual
touring opera Xochitl and the
Flowers, reaching over 2,000
students across the Front
Range. His involvement
enhanced the educational
impact of the
program, particularly in
Spanish-speaking schools
where music served as a
bridge between
cultures.”
Roots Music Project on
Monthly Jam Sessions for
Jazz, Soul & Groove Players
“For our organization, this
initiative strengthened our
mission of building
community through music
and demonstrated that artist-
centered programming, when
properly resourced—can
thrive in Boulder.”
Boulder Ballet on hiring
Boulder-based composer
Jonas Leuenberger
“This grant supported the
commissioning and live
performance of an original
score, which played
a central role in the work’s
development and public
presentation. Live music
allowed for greater
responsiveness in the
choreography and added
depth to the overall
experience. The project
also offered a significant
professional opportunity
to a Boulder-based
composer, extending his
visibility and supporting
his work within a major
public venue. We are
grateful for the Boulder
Arts Commission’s
continued support of
locally produced,
artist-centered
performance. This
investment strengthens
the arts landscape in
Boulder and
helps create the conditions
for new work to thrive.”
An incentive for businesses
and nonprofits to employ
Boulder-based visual,
performing, and literary
artists to perform, or create
new work.
$54,000 awarded
to 18 applicants
ARTIST
HIRING
GRANTS
ADMINISTRATIVELY-APPROVED
2025 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
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2025 Community Roots Art Festival Budget
Expense Revenue
Category Item Description Amount Actuals Category Amount Actuals
Event Operations Grants $15,000.00 $24,625.75)
Event Operations Water stations $110.00 $63.48 Sponshorships $3,500.00 $4,800.00)
Event Operations Decorations $200.00 $34.86 Donations + Ticket Sales $9,000.00 $4,703.50)
Event Operations Batteries, Tape, Misc Supplies $300.00 $0.00 Carry Over from Previous Year $2,500.00 $2,500.00
Event Operations Nametags, raffle tickets $100.00 $25.69 Total Revenue $30,000.00)$36,629.25)
Event Operations Portapotty $700.00 $448.00
Event Operations Brewery Staff Support $300.00 $300.00
Generator Rentals $400.00 $539.82
VQ Liquor License $150.00 $150.00
Event Operations Equipment Update or Replacement $300.00 $254.62
Total $2,560.00 $1,816.47
Creatives Support
Creatives Support Photographer - Headshots $300.00 $275.00
Creatives Orientations $900.00 $806.80
Creatives Support Performer compensation $9,000.00 $7,700.00
Creatives Support Stickers and business cards $1,500.00 $2,265.65
Creatives Support Snacks for artists and performers $300.00 $392.31
Creatives Support Tables and chairs $400.00 $680.20
Creatives Support Chicken wire, grids, and zip ties + tin snippers $200.00 $86.57
Total $12,600.00 $12,206.53
Promotional Material
Sneak Peek Event $600.00 $15.48
Promotional material Photographer $1,500.00 $1,500.00
Promotional material Banners, stickers, scavanger hunt cards, brochures $450.00 $387.32
Promotional material Flyers and signs $400.00 $234.12
Total $2,950.00 $2,136.92
Operational Costs
Operational Costs Bank & Payment Processing Fees $150.00 $27.48
Operational Costs Cloud Storage $25.00 $25.00
Docusign $150.00 $128.02
BCAA Membership $45.00 $45.00
Total $370.00 $225.50
Event Operations $2,560.00)$1,816.47)
Creatives Support $12,600.00)$12,206.53)
Promotional Material $2,950.00)$2,136.92)
Operational Costs $370.00)$225.50)
Total Expenses $18,480.00)$16,385.42)
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Attachment Four
Current Cultural Grants Program Budget as of January 21, 2026
GRANT
CATEGORY
ASSIGNED
BUDGET
ACTUAL
BUDGET
GRANTS
AWARDED
NUMBER OF
GRANTS
AWARDED
BALANCE
GOS: Bedrock $400,000 $400,000
GOS: XL Orgs $360,000 $360,000
GOS: Large Orgs $310,000 $310,000
GOS: Mid Orgs $203,000 $203,000
GOS: Small Orgs $157,000 $157,000
GOS: Extra Small Orgs $150,000 $150,000
Boulder Vision: Indv. $120,000 $120,000
Boulder Vision: Orgs. $120,000 $120,000
Arts Education $50,000 $50,000
Lifelong Learning $10,000 $10,000
Rental Assistance Fund $24,000 $12,000 11 $12,000
Artist Hiring Incentive Grant $49,000 $24,500 7 $24,500
Prof. Dev. Scholarships $29,000 $14,500 10 $14,500
Cultural Field Trips $6,000 $2,000 1 $4,000
Assistance for Grant Writing $12,000 $15,000 $9,000 9 $6,000
TOTAL $2,000,000 $2,003,000 $62,000 38 $1,941,000
There are 13 free rentals still available for the Macky Auditorium.
There are 11 rental discounts still available from eTown Hall.
There are 11 free rentals still available from Roots Music Project.
There are 12 free rentals still available from The Spark Boulder.
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Attachment Five
Current Public Art Program 5 Year Budget as of January 20, 2026.
FUNDING
SOURCE PROJECT/ARTIST TOTAL
APPROPRIATED
AMOUNT
PAID TO DATE
BALANCE
REMAINING
2025 PROJECTED
SPENDING
Multiple 11th/ Spruce Garage
(David Franklin) $166,000 $80,125 $86,875 $86,875
% for Art Bear Canyon Creek
Greenway $150,000 $0 $150,000 $0
% for Art Broadway and Table Mesa $40,000 $0 $40,000 $0
% for Art Valmont City Park $144,000 $0 $144,000 $0
% for Art
Central Ave Bridge
Replacement
(Mario Miguel Echevarria)
$40,000 $4,000 $36,000 $36,000
% for Art East Boulder Community
Center (on hold) $430,000 $0 $430,000 $0
% for Art Fire Station 2 $130,000 $0 $130,000 $0
% for Art Fire Station 4 $120,000 $0 $120,000 $0
% for Art Gregory Canyon Creek $167,000 $0 $167,000 $0
% for Art Western City Campus
(Plaza) (Matthew Mazzotta) $300,000 $45,000 $255,000 $45,000
% for Art
Western City Campus
(Lobby/Atrium) (Soo Sunny
Park)
$450,000 $20,000 $430,000 $20,000
% for Art
Western City Campus
(Garage Stairwell) (Bimmer
Torres)
$100,000 $5,000 $95,000 $5,000
TOTAL $2,083,875 $160,875
CCS: Community Culture and Safety Tax
CCRS: Community Culture Resiliency and Safety Tax
Additional maintenance projects are not represented.
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