CULTIVATE THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY

STRATEGY

AMPLIFY DENVER'S CULTURAL SUCCESSES AND REPUTATION

VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY

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• 58% of arts and cultural attendees are nonlocal visitors, with 85% of them primarily visiting Denver for specific cultural events, showcasing the city’s role as a cultural tourism hub. 

• The economic impact of cultural tourism reached new heights in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with a 15% increase in economic impact contributed by visitors from outside Metro Denver. 

• 86% of residents believe arts, culture and creativity attract tourism, highlighting the sector's significant contribution to the local economy. 

• 73% of Denver residents view the city as an “arts town,” with higher percentages among Black/African American (79%) and Hispanic/Latino (78%) community members. 

• 80% of residents agree that arts, culture and creativity help improve Denver’s national reputation, underlining the importance of the arts in shaping the city's identity. 

• Interviews with the cultural sector reveal a desire to amplify joy and celebration through the arts. 

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ACTION STEPS

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1. Strengthen networks of support and appreciation in local communities to celebrate and promote the small successes and major milestones of Denver’s local artists and arts organizations.

2. Amplify the achievements of Denver's arts and culture community to enhance its reputation locally, regionally and nationally as a premier destination for creativity and cultural excellence.

STRATEGY 

INTEGRATE ARTISTS IN COMMUNITY DECISION-MAKING

VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY

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• Arts and cultural workers emphasized that building a strong community identity involves embracing both shared values and differences, fostering growth through joy and discomfort. 

• Artists should be valued as full partners, not as "add-ons," in projects to achieve desired outcomes, according to interviewees. 

• In 2024, artists and cultural workers stressed the importance of being included in decision-making and highlighted the need for increased access, particularly for younger and early-career artists. 

• Some artists prefer not to be board or committee members but still want opportunities to voice the needs of their community and inform funding or policy decisions. 

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ACTION STEPS

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1. Integrate artists into cross-sector grantmaking, public initiatives and collaborative efforts to address community needs and improve services at both a policy and a grassroots level. 

2. Create diverse and flexible opportunities with broader entry points for artists and cultural workers to participate in decision-making processes. 

STRATEGY 

BUILD CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATIONS

VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY

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• 84% of residents believe arts and culture improve quality of life, underscoring the sector's broad societal value. 

• 87% of residents agree that engaging in arts and culture improves mental health, highlighting the personal benefits of artistic participation. 

• 66% of residents see the arts as a tool for addressing racial injustice, and 68% believe it helps communities recover during crises, emphasizing the role of arts in social change and healing. 

• Over 80% of residents agree that arts, culture and creativity drive positive societal change, demonstrating the sector's potential to shape communities. 

• Artists and cultural workers stress the importance of interdependence and collaboration in fostering meaningful, long-term change across sectors. 

• 80% of residents believe arts and culture help raise awareness of social issues, demonstrating the power of the arts in bringing attention to critical causes.

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ACTION STEPS

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1. Support inclusive partnerships between artists, arts and culture organizations and other industries by organizing and encouraging cross-sector collaborations. 

2. Build and support partnerships that increase cultural awareness, improve community well-being and integrate arts and culture into new areas such as business-sponsored public art and health and wellness initiatives. 

STRATEGY 

BUILD ARTS LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATION

VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY

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• Interviewees highlighted the importance of connecting early-career and young artists with mentorship to help them navigate funding and politics, empowering them to contribute more effectively in decision-making roles. 

• Arts and creativity are recognized as essential for developing lifelong skills that address social issues and confront uncomfortable truths, fostering a thriving community. 

• Nearly a third of Denver residents in 2024 reported feeling they lack sufficient background information to fully enjoy or understand arts and cultural events, a significant increase from 2013. 

• Many in the creative sector have expressed a need for more educational opportunities to build leadership capacity, particularly for young, early-career artists and those from historically marginalized communities, helping them develop the necessary skills to succeed and lead. 

• A gap in professional development and training opportunities, especially for arts and cultural workers from historically marginalized communities, was noted. 

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ACTION STEPS

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1. Provide professional development, mentorship and funding opportunities for artists and cultural workers, particularly young, early-career artists and those from historically marginalized communities, and invest in arts education at all levels.

2. Build a local arts leadership pipeline through professional development, training, residencies and mentorship.