
COMMITMENT #2
CULTIVATE THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY
The strategies under Cultivate the Cultural Community aim to strengthen Denver’s cultural community by amplifying artists’ successes, integrating them into community decision-making and enhancing their involvement in shaping policies to develop the next generation of arts leaders. By addressing key barriers and opportunities, like fostering cross-sector collaborations, the creative community can build a more vibrant, inclusive and sustainable arts ecosystem in Denver.
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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.
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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.
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86% of residents believe arts, culture and creativity attract tourism, highlighting the sector's significant contribution to the local economy.
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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.
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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.
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Interviews with the cultural sector reveal a desire to amplify joy and celebration through the arts.
ACTION STEPS
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Artists should be valued as full partners, not as "add-ons," in projects to achieve desired outcomes, according to interviewees.
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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.
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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.
ACTION STEPS
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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.
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Create diverse and flexible opportunities with broader entry points for artists and cultural workers to participate in decision-making processes.
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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.
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87% of residents agree that engaging in arts and culture improves mental health, highlighting the personal benefits of artistic participation.
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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.
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Over 80% of residents agree that arts, culture and creativity drive positive societal change, demonstrating the sector's potential to shape communities.
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Artists and cultural workers stress the importance of interdependence and collaboration in fostering meaningful, long-term change across sectors.
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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.
ACTION STEPS
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Support inclusive partnerships between artists, arts and culture organizations and other industries by organizing and encouraging cross-sector collaborations.
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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.
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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.
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Arts and creativity are recognized as essential for developing lifelong skills that address social issues and confront uncomfortable truths, fostering a thriving community.
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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.
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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.
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A gap in professional development and training opportunities, especially for arts and cultural workers from historically marginalized communities, was noted.
ACTION STEPS
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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.
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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.