The Producing Partner opportunity invites the Colorado creative community to present at the Arts Complex.  

Elevate Productions: Producing Partners will use the premier venues of the Arts Complex to scale their programs up and showcase their artistic product at an exceptional level. Productions will leverage the opportunity to generate press, increase visibility, and garner new audiences. 

Uplift Colorado’s Diverse Cultural Communities: Producing Partners will represent the diverse populations of Colorado through unique curatorial voices and strong artistic vision. Productions will present a mirror to the myriad of experiences of Coloradoan’s, offering audiences the possibility of seeing themselves on stage. 

Collaborative Productions: These presentations will be collaborative efforts that pull together the skills and artists necessary to bring a high-quality production to fruition.  

Individual award amounts of up to $50,000.

Eligibility

• Programs must take place at Arts Complex.
• New and existing programs 
• Colorado based (applicants can be registered elsewhere but must demonstrate presenting a majority of work in CO) 
• Open to Colorado-based independent artists, producers, producing collectives, and arts organizations.
• At least 3-4 years demonstrable experience producing artistically excellent events
• If you have received a Producing Partner award from Denver Arts & Venues, you are not eligible again for 2 cycles. For example, if you were awarded a 2026 Producing Partner award, you may apply again during the 2029 cycle.
• If this project is receiving Arts & Venues support in 2026 via another grant opportunity, the project is not eligible for the Producing Partner funding as well.
• Arts Complex Resident Companies may not apply for this opportunity. 

Recipient Requirements

• Enter a grant agreement and booking agreement with Denver Arts & Venues. 
• Meet production deadlines
• Bring proposed event to fruition. 
• All ticketing must be hosted on the AXS.com platform and included in our Pay What You Wish ticketing program.
• Final report at conclusion of project
• Implement marketing efforts above and beyond what Arts & Venues provides to reach and expand audiences. 
• Credit Arts & Venues support on all marketing assets promoting this event. If presenting a world premier/new work, credit Arts & Venues in future presentations of the work supported by this partnership. 

Only complete applications will be reviewed and scored. Applications with missing information will be considered ineligible.

The New Works Incubator is designed to support the creation, development and presentation of new works. 

Challenging Performance Norms: Recipients of the New Works Incubator award will challenge traditional performance norms by pushing creative boundaries and adding a unique voice. It encourages artists to experiment with new ideas and forms, creating innovative and groundbreaking works that stand out. 

Opportunities for Community Engagement: New Works Incubator projects are expected to have community engagement activities (events, workshops, mentorship, performances). This Incubator is designed to be a dynamic and inclusive platform that nurtures creativity, fosters collaboration, and engages the community in meaningful ways. 

Individual award amounts of up to $25,000.

Eligibility 

• Programs must take place at the Arts Complex.  
• New projects/projects in development only  
• Open to individual artists, artist collectives and organizations in Colorado and nationally. 
• At least 3-4 years demonstrable experience developing new and original works   
• If you have received a New Works Incubator award from Denver Arts & Venues, you are not eligible again for 2 cycles. For example, if you were awarded a 2026 New Works Incubator award, you may apply again during the 2029 cycle.
• Individuals applying for a solo project are eligible. However, please note that we will weight collaborative projects higher.  
• If this project is receiving Arts & Venues support in 2026 via another grant opportunity, the project is not eligible for the New Works Incubator funding as well. 
• Arts Complex Resident Companies may not apply for this opportunity. 

Recipient Requirements

• Enter a grant agreement and booking agreement with Denver Arts & Venues.  
• Public presentation of new work in development 
• Provide opportunities for community engagement in the creative process. This can include open rehearsals, classes, artist talks and workshops. 
• Community engagement must take place at the Champa Rehearsal Studio. 
• All ticketing must be hosted on the AXS.com platform with a portion of tickets included in our Pay What You Wish ticketing program. 
• Final report at conclusion of residency  
• Credit Arts & Venues on all marketing assets and in future presentations of the work supported by this residency.  
• If based outside of the Denver metro area, awarded entity will be responsible for arranging their own travel & lodging.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and scored. Applications with missing information will be considered ineligible.  

Selection will be based on applicant score, and in instances where there is a tie, the selection committee will prioritize a local applicant.  

P.S. You Are Here (PSYAH) is a creative placemaking program supporting short-term, collaborative, and community-led projects that engage the public to transform Denver’s outdoor public spaces. PSYAH projects build civic engagement, bring vibrancy to Denver’s neighborhoods, honor heritage, beautify outdoor space, and enrich communities.   

Public space is defined as an area that is accessible and open to everyone, including but not limited to alleys, parks, plazas, facilities, streets, and other outdoor, civic spaces. These spaces are owned and maintained by the City and County of Denver, as opposed to private property. Examples include public parks, community or recreation centers, public rights-of-way. 

This grant supports temporary, site-specific projects that enhance public spaces and engage communities in placemaking. They should be creative, unique, engaging for people of various abilities, structurally sound, and enable meaningful connections with the public. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:  

• Artistic installations that activate public spaces  
• Community-driven projects that foster connection, collaboration, inclusive engagement and participation  
• Design interventions that address specific needs or opportunities within a site  
• Streetscaping and/or landscaping that enhance the aesthetic and functional qualities of the environment
• Functional public amenities such as decorative seating, tables, bike racks, and other urban furnishings that contribute to the public experience  
• Designed to respond to the unique characteristics of the space and community, creating opportunities for both immediate impact and long-term value 

  Please visit DenverArtsandVenues.com for full guidelines and information before applying.

Description

This grant supports jazz performances and jazz related activities in Five Points, both to celebrate the history of jazz in the "Harlem of the West" and to foster a new generation of artists in the neighborhood with contemporary, innovative jazz programming.

Goals

The goal of this grant is to celebrate and uplift jazz artists and jazz-related programming in the context of the DENVER CREATES: A Collective Commitment to the Arts, the city’s roadmap for a thriving arts and culture ecosystem. Grounded in research and driven by community voices, this roadmap outlines three commitments to create a more equitable and dynamic cultural landscape.

Please familiarize yourself with the full FIVE POINTS JAZZ GRANT guidelines here (insert link). More information on the DENVER CREATES cultural roadmap can be found here (https://www.denver-creates.com/).

COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND IMPACT

As a government agency, Denver Arts & Venues has a responsibility to serve and uplift our community. We are committed to directing our grant funding into the trusted hands of individuals and organizations that are best positioned to drive meaningful change, and with the vision and expertise to create significant impact in the Five Points community.

PROGRAM AND GOALS

The 16th Street Performers Network offers an opportunity to activate Denver’s downtown with musicians, artists, entertainers, and performers of all kinds to surprise and delight pedestrians and bring vibrancy to downtown Denver through the arts. 

SELECTION PROCESS

Individual artists or artist groups of up to three people are invited to apply to become part of the 16th Street Performers Network. The Network is a list of artists and small ensembles that Downtown Denver Partnership can choose from to activate 16th Street, surprising and delighting visitors with music, magic, theater, artist demonstrations, etc. Artist groups are limited to three people to ensure that activations do not impede pedestrian traffic. 

Applications to join the network will be reviewed quarterly by representatives from Denver Arts & Venues (DAV) and from Denver’s Commission on Cultural Affairs. If an application is approved, the artist(s) will be notified by a representative of DAV, their information will be shared with Downtown Denver Partnership, and they will join the 16th Street Performers Network of artists. Artists remain in the network for a period of two years, after which they will need to reapply. 

Performances or demonstrations may take place outside of a business storefront, on a patio along 16th Street, or in open spaces that do not impede the Right of Way. Selected artists will work with DDP and local businesses to determine appropriate locations. 

WHO CAN APPLY

Any individual artist or small ensembles of up to three performers working in any genre, including but not limited to musicians, visual artists, craft artists demonstrating their craft, circus artists, magicians, thespians, etc.  will be considered. Artists must live in Denver or the Denver metro area. 

LIMITATIONS

1. Artists may not place unapproved signage of any type on the mall surface nor attach to any mall furnishings.
2. Portable generators are not allowed. Most performance locations will not have access to power and applicants with no power needs may have more performance opportunities.
3. All equipment must be approved by the Downtown Denver Partnership.
4. Artists cannot use street furnishings for their performances.
5. No equipment can be connected to planters, trees, lights, or vendor kiosks.
6. Marking of the ground or any furnishings is prohibited.
7. Amplified sound is allowed however sound levels must be within the restrictions of the current noise ordinance (currently 50 dB). Generally, you should not be heard 100 feet from your location.
8. If asked to reduce your volume you should do so quickly and kindly. Some businesses require a level of quiet to operate.
9. Artists should not impede pedestrian traffic or block any business entrance or exit.

RATE OF PAY & PAYMENTS

$150 per performance hour for each performer.

The Downtown Denver Partnership will be responsible for contracting and paying all performers for their work. Artists should receive payment within 30 days of their performance.

HOW ARTIST WILL BE CONTACTED/CONTRACTED

NOTE: Being accepted to the Network is not a guarantee that an artist will be hired to perform. When an artist or artist group is going to be hired, they will be contacted by DDP who will provide the artist(s) with detailed information about where and when they are being asked to perform, limitations and requirements, and they will provide the artist(s) with a performance agreement. Performances will generally take place between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. The hired artist(s) should direct all correspondence and questions about their performance agreement and pay to Downtown Denver Partnership. 

QUESTIONS

Please direct questions about the application to Shanna Shelby at Shanna.Shelby@denvergov.org