Musicians and dancers perform at Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival | EDI Arts & Culture Fund - photo by From the Hip
 

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EDI ARTS & CULTURE FUND

The Denver Arts & Venues EDI Arts & Culture Fund follows a participatory grant-making model. Decisions about funding are made by the communities we aim to support. These grants support individuals, organizations and community projects through each of the City and County of Denver’s ten Human Rights and Community Partnerships (HRCP) Commissions and the Office of Children's Affairs. Funded programs reinforce equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice.

To be considered for funding for this program, please reach out to the commission that best fits your program goals. 

African American Commission  American Indian Commission  Asian American Pacific Islander Commission  Commission for People with Disabilities  Commission on Aging  Immigrant & Refugee Commission  Latino Commission  LGBTQ Commission  Nonprofit Engagement Commission  Women's Commission  Office of Children's Affairs

Project Highlights

Adaptive Adventures 2023 EDI Arts & Culture Fund 600x600

2023 Freedom through Mobility

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMISSION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Adaptive Adventures provides and establishes sustainable outdoor recreation programs for individuals with physical disabilities and their families. Through the EDI Arts & Culture fund, Adaptive Adventures created a video series highlighting their program and some of their participants. Watch Now.

Young person recites poetry outside Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership, 2023 EDI Arts & Culture Fund 60x600

2023 Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMISSION AND THE LATINO COMMISSION

Funds were used to develop and facilitate a unique three-part art program centered on diversity, equity and inclusion in outdoor spaces. Youth from Environmental Learning for Kids explored the Sand Creek Greenway and reflected upon their experience by creating art.

2022 The Red Road Quillwork Project

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DENVER AMERICAN INDIAN COMMISSION

Oglala Lakota elder and quillwork master, Cecelia Bull Bear worked with workshop participants to pass down the tradition of this northern plains artform including history, harvesting, dyeing and quillwork techniques.  

2022 Denver Principles Flags Project

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DENVER LGBTQ COMMISSION

Working with Art Students League of Denver, Colorado Health Network and other Colorado-based organizations, as well as HIV+ individuals, artist Heather Schulte created a series of flags to honor The Denver Principles of 1983, a manifesto of AIDS/HIV rights. 

Escuela Tlatelolco CommUnity Gathering 2022, EDI Arts & Culture Fund 800x800

2022 CommUnity Gathering

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE COMMISSION AND THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION

Presented by Escuela Tlatelolco, the second annual CommUnity Gathering connected new communities to the Chicano muralist heritage.

2021 Lunar New Year

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DENVER ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMISSION

“The Lunar New Year Social was really memorable to me, because not only was it so fun, I was also able to learn about a different Asian culture and tradition that I did not know much about.” -Janelle, 9th grader 

2020 ZOTTO

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DENVER ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMISSION

“ZOTTO [ぞっと] - A Supernatural Journey” was an immersive production. Each chapter of the ZOTTO story provided a deeper dive into topics addressing past and present systemic racism and internalized/racial biases and social issues. 

2018 LYNX National Arts & Media Camp

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DENVER LATINO COMMISSION

These CU Denver College of Arts & Media summer immersion programs were created for high school students interested in contemporary music, film or visual arts, and are known as some of the best high school summer arts camps in America.  

2018 Your Future, Your Dreams

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DENVER WOMEN’S COMMISSION

Artist Adri Norris created “learning cards” featuring change makers in Denver history and partnered with Girls Athletic Leadership School for interactive workshops and mentorship opportunities.