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Welcome to "In Focus", a quick note from me to you where you’ll find updates on key SCFD focus points like reauthorization and SCFD’s ongoing organizational development. First, I want to offer immense gratitude for the warm welcome and support from our amazing SCFD community - my heart is full! As I round out my first 100 days as Executive Director, I want to share some exciting updates with you. Our talented team has been busy preparing for our Road to Reauthorization and have achieved a couple of big milestones.
Stakeholder Engagement Contractor Selected
Following a robust RFP process and careful review of submitted proposals, I am delighted to share that SCFD has selected GBSM to support phases 1-5 of its upcoming Stakeholder Engagement Process in preparation for a 2028 reauthorization. GBSM’s work kicks off in December 2025 and will begin with an onboarding process with SCFD staff. Their work will continue in the new year by conducting additional analysis to build a stakeholder engagement strategy rooted in the board-approved framework. This will help us gather feedback and forge consensus on the right framework for the district as we consider what is best for the next era of SCFD era. Read the full announcement here. And stay tuned, we'll be sharing bios of the project team in the new year so you can get to know our partners in this work.
Senior Advisory Role for Deborah Jordy Begins
I am grateful for the opportunity to work directly with Deborah Jordy in her new advisory role that took effect in November. Together, we defined the focus of her role, and Deborah has begun providing input on overarching reauthorization strategy as well as developing a framework for our Speakers’ Bureau. Deborah and I are working closely together to ensure we align with the district's upcoming 2026 priorities and are maximizing the impact of her expertise.
We have a full and exciting new year ahead of us, and we’re looking forward to continuing this important work together. To stay informed of the ongoing stakeholder engagement process and to be updated about opportunities to participate, please ensure you add this email address to your contacts and bookmark our Road to Reauthorization webpage.
| Celebrating Milestones in Arts, Culture, and Science | |
As the year starts to draw to a close, we would like to shout out the following organizations who celebrated milestone anniversaries in 2025. Thanks to these groups for providing years of innovative programming and access to culture for district residents!
- Denver Field Ornithologists, 90 years
- Colorado Ballet, 65 years
- Boulder Chorale, 60 seasons
- Colorado Chorale, 55 years
- Denver MountainAires, 50 years
- Cherry Creek Chorale, 45 years
- Louisville Art Association, 45 years
- Menorah: Arts, Culture, and Education at the Boulder JCC, 45 years
- Aurora Fox Arts Center, 40 seasons
- Denver Urban Gardens, 40 years
- Conifer's Stage Door, 35 years
- Denver Architecture Foundation, 35 years
- Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, 35 years
- Butterfly Pavilion, 30 years
- Denver Children's Choir, 30 seasons
- Open Studios, 30 years
- The Urban Farm, 30 years
- Buntport Theater Company, 25 seasons
- Sound of the Rockies, 25 years
- Mountain Chamber Music Society, 20 years
- VIVA Theater, 20 years
- Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras, 15 years
- Thornton Community Chorus, 15 years
- The Catamounts, 15 seasons
- Visionbox Studio, 15 years
- Sprout City Farms, 15 years
- SeriesFest, 10 years
- Boulder MUSE, 10 years
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Share Your 2026 Free Days!
As you finalize your calendars for next year, don't forget to submit your free admission opportunities to the Free Days calendar here. This is one of our most popular webpages, and we'd love to help spread the word about your events!
| | Seeking County Cultural Council Members | | | | There are four openings on the Douglas County Cultural Council - two in District 1 and two in District 3. Interested applicants can learn more and apply here. | | |
Community Screenings: The Art of Growth
In celebration of our cultural community, join SCFD and our funded partners at FREE community screenings of "The Art of Growth" across the seven-county district! There's one more chance to see the film out and about this year at the Denver Art Museum on December 9. Find more information and snag tickets here.
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What you need, when you need it
Just a friendly reminder that we are continuing to add information, tutorials, grant deadlines, and other important details to pages dedicated to your tier of partnership with the district. Please use these resources to help answer your questions.
Tier I | Tier II | Tier III
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Tune into the SCFD Wonder-Cast with Heidi Echtenkamp
In the upcoming episode of the SCFD Wonder-Cast, meet Heidi Echtenkamp, the Wardrobe Supervisor at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Learn more about Heidi's job behind the scenes of the DCPA's productions and her journey through the world of theatre to create the magic behind the seamless costume changes we see on stage. This episode will drop on Wednesday, December 3.
Does someone at your organization have a wonder-inspiring program or an interesting day-in-the-life to share? Reach out to emma@scfd.org to pitch a podcast interview.
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Check out CBCA's Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture
This biennial report quantifies the economic contributions of SCFD-funded organizations in the Denver metro area. In 2024, cultural organizations generated $3.12 billion in economic activity! Learn more here.
Of note, CBCA staff are able to present this data in-person or virtually to chambers of commerce, economic development councils, city councils, boards of directors, or other civic, cultural or business groups across the region. Please contact CBCA at main@cbca.org to learn more or schedule a presentation.
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News You Can Use
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Did you know you can stay up to date on all things SCFD more than just once a month through our newsletter? Check out our News You Can Use webpage!
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