263035629_df730c7c6dTomorrow is an exciting day for our organization: we will hold the inaugural B:CIVIC Academy, Supporting Arts + Culture: A Business Case for Community Investmentan event that will explore the impact that partnerships with arts and culture organizations have on companies and communities. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sign up for upcoming B:CIVIC volunteer days with organizations in this space.

Over the course of the next week we will share stories from our own members to highlight their partnerships with local arts and culture organizations and, more importantly, the impact those partnerships have on the community.

But first, we’d like to shed a little light on Denver’s arts and culture scene. The impressive abundance of museums, concerts, art walks and more in our city connects community members to one another and provides a distinct character for the Mile High City. Here are a few fast facts:

  • The Denver Performing Arts Complex is the largest performing arts complex under one roof, and the second-largest center of its kind in terms of number of venues and seating capacity.
  • The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) offers “Free Days” for residents of Denver to visit a variety of museums, parks and gardens. In 2013 alone residents paid 14.6 million visits to organizations funded by the SCFD, and 8,174 schools visited SCFD organizations.
  • The city boasts seven art districts that offer First Friday walks. Whatever your taste is, you’re sure to find something in the wide array of paintings, photographs, pottery, jewelry, mixed media and much more that is displayed alongside the local artists themselves.
  • The City of Denver displays more than 300 pieces of public art, many of which have become iconic symbols of our community. There is also an ordinance in place that requires 1% of any capital improvement project pursued by the city costing more than $1 million be set aside for public art.

Armed with this glimpse of arts and culture’s impact across Denver, it’s little wonder that local businesses want to be involved with organizations that inspire us all. Stay tuned for stories from local companies doing just that on our blog this week.

Interested in learning even more about Denver’s arts scene? Watch the video below, compliments of Denver Arts & Venues.

photo credit: lao tzu via photopin (license)