We’re not out of the weeds yet, says CBCA Executive Director Christin Crampton Day. But it’s also: Wow, we’ve had a lot to think about and figure out over the past year. I think a lot of organizations are looking to the future and putting plans in place for when they can reopen. We’re excited to get this [campaign] back out there.
This is the CBCA s third big push in its broader Arts Through It All campaign, which launched last April, weeks after the coronavirus shutdowns began. For months heading into the holidays, CBCA encouraged spending on cultural groups. And while the Valentine s Day campaign won t include massive billboards and TV and radio ads, as that one did, the group has already started underwriting Colorado Public Radio spots and is stretching its budget, funded by Denver Arts & Venues, PNC Bank and other sponsors, as far as it can.
Dragondeer plays Levitt Pavilion s last free show of their inaugural season, Sept. 24, 2017.
With uncertainty over the coronavirus still on the minds of many artists, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation and the Denver Foundation are teaming up once again to distribute funds to cash-strapped arts organizations.
The fund is collecting donations through February to distribute to small and mid-sized arts organizations in 2021. They’re aiming to raise more than a million dollars for local artists.
Applications for grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 each will open on Jan. 6.
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation President Gary Steuer said supporting artists during this crisis is important for everyone.
“The reality is that we need a holistic systemic response to COVID,” he said. “Yes, we absolutely need to address our health care issues to address food insecurity, to address homelessness, but at the same time, we re human beings and our life needs to be worth living. The arts are cri
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That industry continues to be hit by the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, but there’s hope that historically strong support for the arts will give local arts organizations the financial boost they need as they navigate the road ahead.
“This is a real economy in this valley,” said Carbondale Arts Executive Director Amy Kimberly. “The creatives, the performing arts, music, venues, restaurants art adds millions. You just don’t realize the money that does come in.”
Carbondale Arts has been one of the organizers and supporting partners of a new “Arts Through It All” campaign to get through the interim. The initiative supports local artists by promoting shopping small and local for the holidays. It has also started a dialogue between art organizations from Aspen to Redstone about how to support each other during this difficult time.