[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6552862,"mediaKeyId","5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1","parentId",5089736,"title","Arts commission approves 2025 project and operating grants; commissioners say many strong applications went unfunded","audioSeconds",215,"startMs",3031000,"endMs",3246000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1&start=3031&end=3246","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1/thumbnail_3031000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552862/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Arts-commission-approves-2025-project-and-operating-grants-commissioners-say-many-strong-applications-went-unfunded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552862-e9eacfe420cef09c917ffe6d2a083e9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121280&Signature=S36eoHZBV5TI0~Giilx1a-WSPPWooh4X1sPiK04lRsBgFEdlSwA9zQJv9eYAKNJs9XPTd90ajzNR9fu64SuAE8rrDwpIGmShlPonOO0NeS0nnb17dVvGXXP2MBN6cMqKdQ8Rh13YfBIKHEIKHXZku1p1Sw5e2UB4LQxQ-aZ6aVo8P-JyJ3RblJA2veU-f0sTCWzKlydSMesITvQNUmUu0JZJhcXfumlwPY6zpbf75x5BDPweJ1Q1gkl83ksUsVKC7GHxrviDQSmh9h8cXT65JESeHC25CfpqsyP2ypw1X9vmoUuCGXea4ycIeMAt6zNj4geY1vCR~eNJqTD8Wloh9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boulder City, CO","date","2025-06-27T07:39:29Z","article","Boulder — The Boulder Arts Commission on June 25 approved a set of 2025 community project grants for individual artists, an expanded roster of general operating support (GOS) grants for area organizations and accepted two arts-education grant reports.

The commission voted to approve the following individual project grants recommended by the review panel: Julia Shawad, Nate Sorey, Aaron Preston, Graham Fuller and Abby Thomas. Commissioners discussed panel feedback that many applications were strong and the reviewers expressed disappointment they could not fund more artists.

Separately the commission approved general operating support awards to a larger group of local organizations following an adjustment to base funding this year; organizations named in the motion included (as presented at the meeting) Compass Renaissance, Open Studios, Boulder Symphony and Music Academy, RS Nova, Chamber Singers, Inc., Blue Principle, Turning the Wheel Productions Inc., Boulder Chamber Orchestra and Boulder Concert Band (the meeting packet listed additional organizations and staff confirmed awards were made according to the panel’s recommendations). Commissioners noted the panel used a score threshold for GOS recommendations.

The commission also accepted two arts‑education grant reports: Catamounts (referred to in meeting materials) and Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Commissioners praised both programs for nimble programming and work in schools; some members asked for more detail on how partner schools were selected.

During discussion, panelists and commissioners raised common themes from the review process: a need for clearer project definitions (project-based versus ongoing operations) and better applicant training on measurable goals and evaluation. Staff said the department will host an additional grant-writing workshop for applicants on Aug. 21 that will focus on preparing narratives and measurable goals specifically for the Arts & Culture grant program.

Motions to approve the individual project grants and the operating support grants passed during the meeting by voice vote; commissioners indicated the votes were unanimous on the motions recorded in the meeting. Staff said panels may revisit ranked lists if additional funding becomes available; commissioners requested staff report back if supplemental funds permit additional awards.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6-25-25 Boulder Arts Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved five individual project grants and a wider slate of general operating support awards for 2025, and accepted two arts‑education reports.","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},6552867,"Boulder staff warn of lower sales-tax revenue but say new arts fund remains on track",1400,1597000,2997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1&start=1597&end=2997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1/thumbnail_1597000.jpg","/articles/6552867/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Boulder-staff-warn-of-lower-sales-tax-revenue-but-say-new-arts-fund-remains-on-track","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552867-947a41c79d1cd3090a4ec01382204083/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121280&Signature=NoE8uVdrlO0vVvEuk3FroCnPzXOU-b0UyYtWmpFT2VdrWiHYR9gLwkVx9wsvVpKSDO6a2Ggejq4o8E6nJmi6ydrsOnFzRM0HgTyyS78bsarMmfbUkllg2J5qoFQzdcNV~HlyxpGGGh-jWuTvi8KPLe-PYlW55EsBCTLfqkSRpAxyfwa2ciO5~Q9B6ZZnymJ0cNTCG7B714MLCaBq3i78vb1Hu3A2wDrHyaHWKBGJZLSYtr8~NGtcAvVazPiBrD~qIp64v1PUfmJ4KmNmsQuoXzTlE6n1UrJPlT1AH8i4ZKl3ib6GInYbm6lKaRkGrlVHLgIfSKOEmp5teYQ8dlC~xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boulder — City finance staff told the Boulder Arts Commission on June 25 that lower-than-expected sales-and-use tax projections have prompted a citywide hiring freeze and spending reductions, though commissioners were told the Arts, Culture and Heritage fund (referred to in the meeting as “2A”) is not expected to see immediate cuts to programs approved for 2025.

Elliot (Community Vitality staff, budget presenter) told commissioners the city issued a press release last week announcing a hiring freeze for most vacant positions through December 2025 while central finance identifies savings across departments. “We still feel very solid in what we’re doing and the programs that we’re standing up and trying to support this year,” Elliot said during the presentation, noting the arts fund’s approved 2025 allocations were one-time commitments and will be treated as potential enhancements for 2026 budget planning.

Commissioners were shown citywide revenue work that projects an $8 million to $10 million reduction in sales-and-use-tax receipts over the next couple of years. Elliot said the arts fund’s share of those declines will be smaller in absolute dollars because the fund’s portion of total city revenue is much smaller (discussed in the presentation as roughly $3.5 million of arts-specific funding compared with a much larger citywide tax base). He also described the staff approach to using available fund balance as a temporary buffer while avoiding long-term structural deficits.

City budget process and timeline were reviewed for the commission. Elliot said the department’s 2026 budget request is being finalized and technically due to central finance; consolidated material will be presented to senior staff and then to City Council (a late‑August presentation and study session were cited), with the formal public‑comment phase beginning at first reading in October. Elliot also explained the difference between “fund balance” and reserves: 2025 is the first year the dedicated arts fund exists, so there was no 2024 ending balance to carry forward; staff expect a modest ending fund balance in 2025 if all programmed dollars are not spent by Dec. 31.

Commissioners asked about how reserves and fund balances carry forward; Elliot summarized the mechanics: beginning balances equal the prior year’s ending balance plus prior reserves, and a government standard reserve of roughly 16.7% is used to measure fund health. He encouraged commissioners to review central finance’s presentation to Council and said staff will return with more detailed numbers in September.

Looking ahead, commissioners were told the department is continuing to work with the University of Colorado and central finance on near‑term economic projections and to refine spending plans for 2026 that balance program goals against revenue uncertainty.","City finance staff told the Boulder Arts Commission on June 25 that a hiring freeze and a projected $8–10 million shortfall in sales-and-use tax revenue will constrain hiring and new spending across the city, but the newly created Arts, Culture and Heritage fund (2A) remains committed to the programs approved for 2025.",{"_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},6552856,"Golden Museum of Contemporary Art says concept design phase underway, community meetings planned",175,571000,746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1&start=571&end=746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1/thumbnail_571000.jpg","/articles/6552856/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Golden-Museum-of-Contemporary-Art-says-concept-design-phase-underway-community-meetings-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552856-43f9c58fa591c3daabcd866e182faf74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121280&Signature=oQUdFp6fF0uEu8uzE6NxnymO2kX5dimXd7iYrs9Dii2tc7L4jkoTpi4bNfq1~tx3BhVUtjknivU6UpdjThQLCbStLw~bH7SqXKpGyM78k6TyjVAjYYtBKHo2~iTe60DAPWstp9SznOotlzA4BSHuMfbHWUB7ZZiOkbCaGDeC9ZydQ7gwAYMZrOZMydCg7KNZFGlLW2zR4VVoQ4ohhhTXn43yNSt4jNiXEBzwFYSXcG9Pt82B37oi4kp~k4-j3DB0L11VotchnInUecws3JSFCVnV03E05pJ-N6IQPJXe-PBjvCyZZPfEFMoot3XVIznt~0i-HE5YN5fngdoit0RKjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boulder — Gwen Burak, deputy director of the Golden Museum of Contemporary Art, briefed the Boulder Arts Commission on June 25 about the museum’s move into concept design and planned community engagement this fall.

Burak said architects are now working on how the museum program will sit on the site and how galleries, education spaces and campus components will relate. The project team expects to complete the concept design work in the fall and plans multiple small engagement sessions followed by a larger public opportunity tentatively slated for September (Burak noted dates could shift). The museum’s chosen architect for concept design was named in the meeting as Soliel (Brooklyn) paired with a local firm identified as Hilburn.

Burak told commissioners the team continues to work on programming and building layout options and is advancing a capital campaign; she said the project team is still targeting a 2027 shovel-in-ground date. She asked commissioners and the community to stay tuned for engagement opportunities and said the team will share exact dates once they are finalized.

Commissioners thanked Burak and noted continued interest in project updates; staff said they will circulate dates and opportunities as the design team finalizes a schedule.","Gwen Burak, deputy director of the Golden Museum of Contemporary Art, told the Boulder Arts Commission the museum project is in the concept design phase with community engagement planned in the fall and an aspirational 'shovel in ground' date in 2027; the project continues capital fundraising.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552858,"Commission backs Bear Creek Greenway underpass public‑art project with $125,000 budget",730,3966000,4696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1&start=3966&end=4696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5089736-bf3ce5d3a079c6a70c07c9770c2602a1/thumbnail_3966000.jpg","/articles/6552858/Boulder/Boulder-County/Colorado/Commission-backs-Bear-Creek-Greenway-underpass-publicart-project-with-125000-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552858-2d6ec038a81a94b98bc42a090b8815d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121280&Signature=XxOD54pPOF4BGxsNWtshgKFVOjBackVch44Z2uXA95FB~KURroDXJ3TBlYhLIpK41enBCiOJzPahTnwwrQGYXbuA8XKKAkxlQx~LDJ6-45Ke47KRd2~SZc2bf9V4H3YR6Metu1~fgwysyGgS6eWd9tjINzqbEvgWVUeUjibmqYD36XsolB~aXXvzcLBeunhltT~w3QJpu-G085C0Q8N-vB6N-uIONFin6W8FI1DEXxMBjLL8XTMRJb1rBoCCZM1dVP~18LXDmyLHxHVzpQj4jARLL-pCr6J3km2d83GdxzLUAES7OoGjoe-PYiGO2ypmn-DaKiJCkPgq0UWIK7grVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boulder — The Boulder Arts Commission on June 25 recommended that the city manager initiate a public‑art project for two underpass locations along the Bear Creek Greenway Trail, approving a proposed combined budget of $125,000 and a community selection process to pick artists.

Chris Roth (CR Project, consultant) presented site options and a budget breakdown for two underpass locations near Baseline Road and Middle Thirtieth. The proposal identifies four primary wall surfaces across two underpasses and proposes combining multiple transportation project allocations so the program can be delivered efficiently and at greater scale. The staff presentation described a total budget of $125,000 for the initiative, with an approximate allocation of $55,000 per location plus design, stipends, technical review and contingency.

Staff and the consultant said the sites are already constructed and will require minimal site improvements, making them suitable for murals or mosaics that face trail users. The project team proposed a community selection panel and a technical review committee; members named during the meeting included: Jeffrey (commissioner), Artie Sandstone (local artist), Gwen Burak (Golden Museum of Contemporary Art deputy director), Scott McCary (Director of Transportation Services, University of Colorado Boulder) and Laura Hendrickson (nearby resident). A technical review committee was listed as Erica Amador (senior transportation planner), Bridal Wiltshire (transportation staff) and Mark Garcia (transportation staff).

Commissioners asked about long‑term maintenance and graffiti remediation. Staff said the city has an annual maintenance allocation for public art and that the Office of Arts & Culture would maintain artworks; structural bridge repairs would remain the responsibility of Transportation. Staff described the city’s recent inventory and maintenance planning for public art and said the program includes ongoing funds for upkeep.

A motion to recommend formation of the Fair Creek Greenway Trail public-art selection panel and project initiation to the city manager was moved and approved by the commission during the meeting; one commissioner indicated they would abstain if necessary because they serve on the panel. Staff said the call for artists and panel orientation would be drafted this summer with a possible late‑third‑quarter kick‑off for artist selection.","The Boulder Arts Commission recommended formation of a public‑art selection panel and initiation of a Bear Creek Greenway underpass mural/mosaic project with a combined $125,000 budget drawn from multiple transportation capital allocations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Arts commission approves 2025 project and operating grants; commissioners say many strong applications went unfunded

Boulder staff warn of lower sales-tax revenue but say new arts fund remains on track

Golden Museum of Contemporary Art says concept design phase underway, community meetings planned

Commission backs Bear Creek Greenway underpass public‑art project with $125,000 budget