ADVANCING ARTS, CULTURE AND CREATIVITY WITH DENVER ARTS & VENUES
Denver Civic Arts Foundation (DCAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to advance arts and culture in partnership with Denver Arts & Venues (DAV), the City and County of Denver agency responsible for operating some of the region’s most renowned facilities and investing in the community through grants, free cultural events, public art and venue maintenance, arts education and more.
We facilitate public-private partnerships, fundraise and distribute funds to further DAV's mission of advancing Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through arts, culture and entertainment for all.
DAV is leading the renovation of the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre at Loretto Heights - the currently vacant 72-acre southwest Denver historic campus founded in 1864. This project will broaden access to the arts across Denver, attract and welcome diverse audiences, and support small arts organizations needing performance and rehearsal space.
Community support and engagement as well as project planning and development are well underway after Denver voters approved $30M in RISE Bond funding in 2021 to support the project.
Denver Civic Arts Foundation was originally established in 1994, by First Lady Wilma Webb to support programs of the Mayor’s Office of Art, Culture and Film (now Denver Arts & Venues.) Since its inception, the foundation has provided vital financial support for cultural arts endeavors in Denver, including: Five Points Jazz Festival, Biennial of the Americas, Doors Open Denver, Denver Performing Arts Festival and the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture.
DCAF has also assisted Denver Public Art in commissioning works such as “Dancers” by Jonathan Borofsky and “Man, Woman” by Fernando Botero at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, plus “I Have a Dream” by Ed Dwight in City Park.
CURRENT PROJECT - LORETTO HEIGHTS
DENVER'S HISTORIC CAMPUS SETS THE STAGE FOR A NEW ARTS AND CULTURAL DESTINATION
Denver Arts & Venues plans to create a new cultural hub for southwest Denver as part of the Loretto Heights Area Plan to redevelop the 72-acre historic campus. The focus is on a parcel of the new mixed-use development dedicated to arts and cultural programming that includes the historic theatre and former library.
PROJECT GOALS
Advances Cultural Equity and Access
Returning the theatre to public use and building out the surrounding footprint allows DAV to intentionally expand to an area that has been underserved by the arts. Together with residents, they can plan spaces and programming that reflect the character and culture of the neighborhood, and the needs of artists and arts organizations.
Demonstrates that Thriving Communities Include Arts and Culture
The plan to transform the campus into a destination and gathering place includes housing, office space, cultural center and other amenities. Renovating the theatre and surrounding area will attract the creative community and neighborhood residents, benefitting the vibrancy of the new campus with space for performances, rehearsals, exhibitions, classes, etc.
Preserves Denver’s History and the Legacy of Loretto Heights
The mid-century modern building, known as the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre, is a treasured performance space that originally opened in 1963. It was the second largest and most professionally equipped theatre, making Loretto Heights a top undergraduate theatre program nationally. By restoring the theatre, DAV is preserving an important part of Denver’s history for future generations to enjoy.
Community support and engagement as well as project planning and development are well underway after Denver voters approved $30M in RISE Bond funding in 2021 to support the project. Denver Civic Arts Foundation has engaged Philanthropy Experts to launch a capital campaign to raise additional funds to complete Phase 1 - theatre renovation and parking garage construction.
Visit artsandvenues.com/loretto-heights to learn more.
LORETTO HEIGHTS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Rosemary Rodriguez (Co-Chair)
Gary Steuer (Co-Chair)
Fran Coleman
Brent Fedrizzi
Jack Finlaw
Tom Migaki
Stephanie Padilla
Amber Valdez
