[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6220564,"mediaKeyId","3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f","parentId",3617066,"title","Boulder arts staff outline grant-program redesign and consultant phases; commissioners raise outreach concerns around Sundance","audioSeconds",401,"startMs",4484000,"endMs",4885000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f&start=4484&end=4885","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f/thumbnail_4484000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6220564/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-arts-staff-outline-grant-program-redesign-and-consultant-phases-commissioners-raise-outreach-concerns-around-Sundance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220564-ad684710afcd7fd92d91d7efca832ece/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147986&Signature=ReWAv9Gs1w4BRjev9kwcPj34BY44GKTVLrua-1R0h5vzJG5KlavwJZvNYvtHvoETDK71B6viFtl5ekNH~wpYas444pE6U6ubVcOo~hSIUU1069hApiYIFWbleuQbUxulC6fpOJBpZ2bFPNMy-cP7Rt4RssMi2-8UMhYwkTn1ezmZLvD6JlnmaqDa0SQGI0vH8igUvUGfq3ACn4vvw9qtxLCr6ZAbkuFF9oa9vXbJZbafBrgtvlU9cokj4Jo68EY3hn5dmGCy33BxnRD1JQn1aEfS9Ap9FkFs8S30SZYGlV4Bq3Zo0Xbl89tAp2KLl7RWqPF7J9raOwm3Xw67-t7NQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boulder City, CO","date","2025-05-30T20:57:19Z","article","City arts staff reported on ongoing strategic planning and a two-phase consultant process that will guide a redesign of the city’s grant program and inform public-engagement plans tied to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan and the upcoming Sundance activities.

Staff said Phase 1 (expected to conclude in June) focuses on consolidating community input and giving initial guidance for grant-program changes. Phase 2, which the city will solicit proposals for, will narrow grant details, develop new budget and cycle proposals, and support preparations related to Sundance (venues, infrastructure and partnerships).

The consultants will also help the arts office integrate grant feedback from the current cycle and run the city’s racial-equity review for proposed program changes. Staff told commissioners that senior leadership has reviewed initial consultant work and that more detailed proposals and budgets will follow; the full redesign will likely require several months of behind-the-scenes work before returning to commissioners for review and a potential October vote on formal changes.

Commissioners asked how Phase 1 results and subsequent recommendations would be shared with the arts and artist community; staff said they wanted to be transparent but also cautious about sharing incomplete proposals until leadership signs off. Commissioners suggested town-hall style briefings and direct outreach to arts organizations.

Several commissioners raised questions about coordination and communication with Sundance organizers and other city partners. Staff said Visit Boulder and a city-contracted team (referred to as CVV in the meeting) are leading initial Sundance coordination, and that contract negotiations and early-stage work are still underway. Staff said they expect more formalized communication and partnership opportunities as contracts and roles are finalized and encouraged arts organizations to provide feedback on outreach channels.

Staff reiterated that implementation details — including budgets and outreach formats — remain in development and that the consultants’ Phase 1 report will be returned to staff and commissioners for next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5-28-25 Boulder Arts Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City arts staff and consultants are working on a two-phase cultural-blueprint and grant-program redesign; staff said Phase 1 deliverables are due in June and Phase 2 will shape a new grant program and Sundance preparations. Commissioners asked about public presentation of consultant findings and coordination with Sundance organizers.","taxTitle","Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado","taxId",3386,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220569,"Arts commission recommends photographer Chris Farooq for BVCP 'prioritizing conversations' public-art project",556,3552000,4108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f&start=3552&end=4108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f/thumbnail_3552000.jpg","/articles/6220569/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Arts-commission-recommends-photographer-Chris-Farooq-for-BVCP-prioritizing-conversations-public-art-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220569-8a7ae9bca815142a0d9411716b449eef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147986&Signature=KZ~~xPq4RkIo3LSBdW2dOUnBRWNg3yxV3tGCx2ZGqdU7JWDNEkxNiXbgY0PAq0xHWfiFx4hMfDi4FVEEfPeLz6TIdrRNGHWlJRIHkELMzocdu1Qn7KHwIdqe2mEX2RKp33TxGpZSPjakZzgvFrfP7VkwW07mrY3ex9vWT-YJ8giS7yVId1RY9C0ud287kMn8aocftY9MDCnOpPHfcoX3K1Czkv5i~P8PSqeHA8KXRvM1JeiQoQQdAd09iDTE~bnWs3W-YEffYFfvpSiKwhZIUlE4iP4Fy4dJgB9iqcPcUk-6GmlWDkdDJvvUSf-4GLZijHrjhMvCIST4aWsewGlMXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boulder Arts Commission voted on May 28 to recommend photographer and community-engagement artist Chris Farooq to the city manager for a public-art project tied to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan’s prioritizing-conversations phase.

Staff described the commission’s selection process and said six finalists were considered; panel criteria prioritized connection to Boulder, socially engaged art experience, clarity of online and in-person engagement plans, and a feasible artistic output. The project’s budget was listed at $20,000.

The project Farooq proposed, described in the staff presentation as \"Photo Voice,\" would collect images, audio and short video from community members at in-person planning events and via online submission. Staff said the resulting combinations of text and image would live primarily online and function as an experimental, digitally focused public-art engagement tied to the planning process.

The panel recommended Farooq because staff said his submission scored highly for artistic quality and demonstrated experience conducting community engagement online and with youth and classroom audiences that the planning team wanted to reach. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the budget; staff reported Farooq updated his proposal and budget to align with the $20,000 project allocation.

Commissioners approved a motion that the selection process was properly conducted and recommended the selected artist to the city manager for approval. Staff noted the project timeline runs June through October and stressed the short, accelerated schedule requires coordination with the planning department. No physical exhibition was planned as part of the project; staff said the work will primarily be hosted online alongside planning engagement events.","The commission's public-art selection panel recommended Chris Farooq for a $20,000 project tied to the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan's prioritizing-conversations phase; the commission voted to forward the recommendation to the city manager for approval.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220574,"Public commenters urge Boulder to direct dedicated arts fund to nonprofits and help keep artists downtown",506,374000,880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f&start=374&end=880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f/thumbnail_374000.jpg","/articles/6220574/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Public-commenters-urge-Boulder-to-direct-dedicated-arts-fund-to-nonprofits-and-help-keep-artists-downtown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220574-d5c11cef64a720ee36efb81608ae6eaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147986&Signature=NOF81Jn7-1Wcr7LNNWtS6YNY7L~Fms2KR6~OqXPNrwijlwNSOUBZP5c8uxes4WOMcTx~95zP0JFpyP5OXWVQ-FJS4HaSOki9hvG~MNFkYDx4M7BZzwrQ3IQMCEBC0KaZmhF-x~FzNK7ck-j-rjxaRF9HRUZY1Fu5xGolU5XmFqg0Xx-1HrcVG785gzUck22c5t-qTGwCFxVmehnC9cMIB2xSdQqtg53-dUbGAYBI5BjhZDhz7u9-BwX~iu23gaOcQNvQ43baItTKsr6WzGGSISz3biCFO2mpkpiG4gn4wMwbAAmkMALY-Aw0O5P52gGVHevQmF~MWbZGR4OTZmmObg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two people who signed up for public comment at the May 28 Boulder Arts Commission meeting urged the commission and city leaders to ensure voter-approved arts funds and other city resources benefit local artists and downtown venues.

Jan Bershuk, identified as an arts supporter and organizer of \"2 a,\" said the ballot measure’s dedicated dollars should fund direct grants to arts and cultural nonprofits, professional artists, arts education, venues, workspaces, public art and multicultural programming — not be shifted into general fund overhead. \"The dedicated fund should support the activities spelled out in the ballot measure,\" Bershuk said.

Marie Julia Byrd, founder of the nonprofit New Local, described two-and-a-half years of operating a West Pearl Street gallery, rehearsal and education space that offers free community programming and provides a showcase for some 250 local artists. Byrd said downtown retail rents and vacancy dynamics make it difficult for local visual-arts venues to survive and proposed a commercial-subsidy grant similar to existing performing-arts venue grants to keep public-facing visual-arts spaces downtown.

Byrd said subsidies could help with a roughly 30% downtown vacancy rate and enable artists and small galleries to pay modest rent to landlords. She also suggested the city consider a dedicated, collective gallery space downtown as a more durable solution to sustain a local visual-arts presence.

Commissioners and staff acknowledged the concerns and said the artists' feedback is being incorporated into ongoing planning work, including the city’s cultural-sector blueprint and upcoming grant-program reviews. Staff encouraged commissioners to continue advocacy in the community and said they would forward comments to consultants working on the blueprint.","Two public commenters told the Boulder Arts Commission that Measure 2 a dollars and additional city support are needed to keep local artists and cultural organizations viable in Boulder’s downtown.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":91,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":94,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6220578,"Boulder Arts Commission approves 2025 community project grants amid debate over commissioners applying for funding",2418,2792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3617066-eacf67362a974fc20ff1ffcf17f4950f&start=374&end=2792","/articles/6220578/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-Arts-Commission-approves-2025-community-project-grants-amid-debate-over-commissioners-applying-for-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6220578-343e5c4f150ef1ad921c633aaca4921e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147986&Signature=ToCDvHtmiG7TOxdDFmCnWbMKSj24eHaI0OAz3x9vDYrVDzGOfmyAE39NJvm-4E51HFYwCmH8O1TjqFVdl8419NfD~ANp4ytZocxqaXwwMRpDM0vWXDg-~Otxle1HsplSeUduMB7WSmIbYwXcdXiPbVz592LgRAj-itcBT-1w64134AqBirIP3SoBS9gnOuH5rUVCbNBIkqKjIYGdv7706OefJZYngKJP01v7ESrV3nI9HGD2mraMLHEFZniAb0W701a-8xMMyaWVOxOA8xtg8uJ1IScQvDx-gAkcT8VxOoBExxRKXJz9uiCSeKzwYqfI3MLG3G2KzeIR96jsbNqKTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Boulder Arts Commission on May 28 unanimously approved the panel-recommended 2025 community project grants and several arts-education grant reports, after a staff presentation and public discussion about panel scores and eligibility rules.

The approvals follow a grant-panel review process the commission described as thorough; staff said the panel had refined scoring and eligibility clarification during recent meetings. Commissioners voted to approve the recommended community project grants and to accept grant reports from Boulder International Film Festival, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and Open Studios.

Commissioners also discussed whether people who serve on the Arts Commission and simultaneously run or sign grant applications for local nonprofits create a conflict of interest. Several commissioners said the current practice — in which applicants who are commissioners recuse themselves from votes but may have participated in earlier panel or application processes — raises concerns about perceived influence and transparency.

Lauren, a city staff member speaking about conflict rules, noted that city conflict-of-interest rules set the minimum standard and that the commission has historically allowed commissioners with nonprofit ties to apply for funding provided they recuse themselves from relevant votes. Commissioners suggested tightening the rules for future cycles and referred the topic for future agenda consideration and further staff/legal guidance.

The commission also handled recusals during the meeting: one commissioner recused herself from discussion and voting on an application for which she had a direct role; the motion to approve that applicant’s grant proceeded and passed. Commissioners emphasized that panel scores must be defensible and that nonrecused commissioners are required to be able to justify their scores if questions arise.

Staff said the individual grant panels had asked for clearer definitions of what constitutes a \"project\" versus ongoing operations and noted a recent disqualification before a panel review for an applicant deemed ineligible under existing rules.

The commission directed staff to return with potential process changes for future grant rounds, including clearer guidance for individual applicants and possible adjustments to conflict-of-interest policies. No changes to rules were adopted at the May 28 meeting.

Less-critical procedural items approved at the meeting included acceptance of the April 2025 meeting minutes and routine grant-report approvals.","The Boulder Arts Commission voted unanimously to approve the panel-recommended 2025 community project grants and arts-education reports, while commissioners debated whether commissioners who run nonprofits should be eligible to apply for city grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Boulder arts staff outline grant-program redesign and consultant phases; commissioners raise outreach concerns around Sundance

Arts commission recommends photographer Chris Farooq for BVCP 'prioritizing conversations' public-art project

Public commenters urge Boulder to direct dedicated arts fund to nonprofits and help keep artists downtown

Boulder Arts Commission approves 2025 community project grants amid debate over commissioners applying for funding