Community Studies

An unprecedented level of federal funding made its way to the arts and culture sector as a result of relief programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. A large portion of this funding was distributed directly to arts organizations through federal programs, but a significant portion was redistributed by local entities. 

In new research, SMU DataArts explores how eleven local arts agencies advocated for and distributed this funding to their communities through document reviews, interviews, and qualitative data gathering.  

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an important source of economic activity that supports thousands of jobs, tens of millions of dollars of tax revenue, and hundreds of millions of dollars of income and economic output in the Denver Metro Area and the State of Colorado, according to a new report by BBC Research & Consulting, which was commissioned by Denver Arts & Venues in 2022.

Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), conducted by Americans for the Arts is an economic and social impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. In the City and County of Denver, the sector generated $399 million in economic activity during 2022—$210.8 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and an additional $182 million in event-related expenditures by their audiences. That economic activity supported 5,414 jobs, provided $266.7 million in personal income to residents, and generated $60.5 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments.

The Colorado Film Study was commissioned in 2019 by Colorado Creative Industries and Denver Arts & Venues to better understand the needs and opportunities of Colorado’s and Denver’s filmmakers. This four-year study of Denver and Colorado’s film industry found it growing rapidly and delivering significant economic benefits to the city and state, but a lack of investment in infrastructure, support programs and incentives has made it difficult for members of the industry to grow their projects, companies and careers. The study found that although there are challenges, Denver and Colorado’s film, television and media industry is one of large and growing potential, waiting to be unlocked. 

The 2020 City of Denver Creative Economy Report with Initial Impacts of the COVID-19 Crisis details the scale, scope, and growth of the Denver metropolitan region’s creative economy between 2010 and 2019. The report also estimates the initial effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the region’s creative economy. 

To capitalize on Denver’s rich musical past and foster continued, sustainable growth as a music city, Denver Arts & Venues is pleased to offer the Denver Music Strategy: a forward-thinking, community-led platform rooted in collective leadership and leveraging resources and influence. This plan was developed with insights from participants in the region’s music ecosystem, including musicians, businesses, government representatives, nonprofit leaders and educational institutions.