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Applications open for 2026 Boulder Arts Commission Cultural Grants Program
$2 million in grant funds will support arts, culture and creativity across Boulder in 2026
BOULDER, Colo. – The City of Boulder is now accepting applications for the Boulder Arts Commission’s 2026 Cultural Grants Program. The program will award more than $2 million to support arts and cultural experiences that enrich the community throughout 2026.
Cultural grants help fund a wide range of activities, including public performances and exhibitions, professional development opportunities for artists, student field trips, general operating support for nonprofit organizations, performance space rentals and more. Funding opportunities are available for organizations, individual artists, private businesses, and classrooms. Applications are offered in both English and Spanish, and other translation services are available upon request.
Applicants are encouraged to review the grant schedule carefully, as some grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have set application deadlines.
The 2026 Cultural Grants Program reflects community input and research gathered through the Boulder Arts Blueprint process, the city’s update to its Community Cultural Plan. Based on this feedback, the program has adjusted several grants and processes to prioritize equitable access, respond to affordability concerns, and align funding with community benefit. Grant funding levels have increased across the program, along with several new and expanded opportunities.
These include a new pilot Lifelong Learning grant supporting intergenerational programming and safe third spaces for young people ages 21 and under; an expansion of professional development funding from 10 grants in 2025 to 36 grants in 2026; and a new impact-based general operating support tier, Bedrock, which provides $80,000 to selected organizations regardless of size (up to 50% of total budget).
Additional updates include early access to first-come, first-served grants for applicants who have not previously received a specific grant; a new pre-application step for competitive grants to confirm eligibility before submitting a full application; expanded access for individual artists to apply directly for Artist Hiring Grants; and closer alignment of all grants with citywide sustainability, equity and resilience goals.
During the 2025 grant cycle, the Boulder Arts Commission awarded more than $1.6 million in grants and fee waivers. In 2026, the commission will invest more than $2 million in community-based arts and cultural funding to support the continued vibrancy of Boulder’s creative ecosystem.
“Arts and culture are central to Boulder’s identity, economy and quality of life,” said Lauren Click, Office of Arts and Culture Manager. “Through this expanded Cultural Grants Program, the city is investing in artists and organizations that create jobs, attract visitors and generate lasting economic and community impact, while strengthening a creative sector that helps Boulder thrive.”
Updates to the 2026 Cultural Grants Program are informed by the Boulder Arts Blueprint, which will guide future arts and culture investments and is expected to be released later this spring.
To learn more about 2026 cultural grant opportunities and to apply, please visit the program webpage.
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