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Premiering on RMPBS: The Art of Growth

Mark your calendars! "The Art of Growth" will air on RMPBS DT1 on Friday, October 17 at 9:00 p.m. (MST).


Directed and produced by Cynthia Cazanas Garin, "The Art of Growth" tells the compelling story of the power of arts to inspire, educate, and enrich lives. The short film features creative artists including a 6th grade student actor, a beloved science educator, and a legendary and dancer and choreographer; and highlights the story behind the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). We can't wait to watch!


If you can't catch the premiere on RMPBS, stay tuned, as there will be additional screening opportunities around the district later this fall.

SCFD Staff in the Spotlight: Andrea Albo

This month's SCFD Staff in the Spotlight feature is our new Executive Director, Andrea Albo! Here are a couple things you may not know about Andrea, in her words:


The best part of Andrea's job:

"The best part of my job so far has been the amazing people! The extrovert in me is energized by being with people and that certainly rings true in my SCFD experience. Whether it is through attending an event, witnessing the public enjoy a performance, or just casual conversation as I am making my way to all of our seven counties, I am consistently met with people's passion from our collective community. I am inspired so much by this passion and am looking forward to more of those moments as part of my listening tour!"


A recent, memorable experience with arts, culture, or science:

"My most memorable experience that I’ve recently had with arts, culture, and science was our Engage-Empower-Connect (EEC) Summit. I was rounding out my sixth day as Executive Director and to be welcomed with such passion by so many of our funded organizations and partners was a gift that still has me buzzing with enthusiasm and gratitude. As a Colorado native, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing our regional culture in beautiful ways and now, stepping into my SCFD role, I am excited about the deeper immersion opportunities that exist to broaden my experiences. Cheers to everyone who makes Colorado a beautiful tapestry of cultural connection for all!"


Andrea's current favorite books and tv show:

"I am a book worm and am currently reading a few fabulous books: Badass Bonita by Kim Guerra, Daughter Drink This Water by Jaiya John, and Generations by Jean Twenge. Favorite TV show is undoubtedly Law and Order SVU – Oliva Benson and I are friends; she just doesn't know it yet."


If SCFD had an office talent show, Andrea would wow everyone with:

"In an SCFD office talent show, I’d wow everyone with some stand up “mom jokes” – I love and appreciate a dose of healthy humor in the day, and while my joke material isn’t elaborate, they usually can at least spark a smile or well-intended eye roll from the audience!"


A fun fact:

"Very early on in my career, I became a certified Phlebotomist. While my short-lived healthcare career was interrupted with a public service job opportunity that I pursued, I finished my post-certification floating internship requirements to complete 1,000 blood draws across the full hospital range of units. The most difficult and rewarding time for me was my rotation in the neonatal intensive care unit. Our healthcare professionals are incredible!"


Andrea's definition of Culture For All:

"Culture for All for me means that everyone has access to experience the beauty of our cultural community across the district. As a child, I remember 'the bear' as a symbol that meant my two sisters and I would have an opportunity to visit places that our low-income household couldn’t provide, if not for the free days. As a mother, I carried that experience forward for my two children and some of our most memorable core experiences have been in these moments. Watching the awe and wonder of science, arts, and culture unfold through their eyes and excitement is a gift that I hope every child and adult can experience for generations to follow! I am looking forward to working with everyone in our region to build the next generation and legacy of SCFD and beyond for all to enjoy and celebrate!"


Want to learn even more about Andrea? Read her bio here.

Read SCFD's Annual Report: Unwavering Wonder

2024 was a year of unwavering wonder in the seven-county Denver metro area. Thanks to the support of district residents, SCFD granted $85 million to arts, culture, and science nonprofits! Learn more about the cultural experiences we were able to support in our 2024 annual report here.

Free Days/Events

Organizations from across the metro area provide hundreds of free days and free programs each year, made possible in part, by funding from SCFD. Some organizations are free every day such as Broomfield Veterans Museum, Foothills Art Center, Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Depot Art Gallery, and the Louisville History Museum. Here are a few free days on tap for October:


  • Sacred Voices Live – Oct. 10
  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science – Oct. 12
  • Brightonmusic Choir and Orchestra's Homespun Concert – Oct. 12
  • Denver Art Museum – Oct. 14
  • Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL) – Oct. 17
  • Four Mile Historic Park – Oct. 24

Welcome to the SCFD Wonder-Cast

If you have 6 spare minutes, tune into the introductory episode of SCFD's brand-new podcast, the SCFD Wonder-Cast! And make sure to subscribe on YouTube or Spotify to stay tuned, season 1 is full of interviews with the folks making wonder behind the scenes at several of our funded partners, from a metalsmith to a master falconer and more.

SCFD Board of Directors News

A board of directors governs the SCFD with representation from district member counties Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson and four governor's appointees. The board oversees district funding and ensures the district is running the way voters intended. The board meets eight times a year and all meetings are open to the public.


Farewell to Board Member, Gino Greco

We’d like to extend a fond farewell to SCFD board member, Gino Greco.


Gino's first involvement with SCFD was through service on the Jefferson County Cultural Council. He joined the SCFD Board in 2019 and served two terms, acting as Board Chair in 2021 and 2022. We have appreciated his thoughtfulness, leadership, and genuine care for our cultural community.


"It has been a pleasure serving on the board with Gino,” said Board Chair, Jacki Cooper Melmed, “his leadership and generosity have been integral to the board and we are so grateful for his years of service to the district.”


Thank you, Gino!

We Fund Culture

Thanks to the voters and residents of the seven-county metro area, SCFD has come a long way in its more than 35 years of existence. SCFD is the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, a tax collected and distributed to more than 300 cultural organizations in our seven-county Denver metro region including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties. Just one penny on every $10 spent in the district creates vibrancy for us individually and collectively.

 

SCFD | scfd.org