A family enjoying art at the Clyfford Still Museum

Courtesy of Clyfford Still Museum Marketing

It’s hard to believe that summer is already beginning to wind down, and that students and families are gearing up to head back to school. Many of our funded organizations provide unique arts, culture and science programming for kids both inside and outside of school, with education at the forefront of many of their missions to serve the community. Keep an eye out for our amazing organizations providing programs in schools across the seven-county District! In addition, below is just a small sample of educational programs that kids and families can take advantage of outside of school:

• Inside the Orchestra: Tiny Tots immersive concert experiences
• Clyfford Still Museum: Art Crawls for infants and their caregivers
• Bird Conservancy of the Rockies: Birding for All programs
• Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus: Teaching Kitchen Cooking Classes
• Growing Gardens: Bee & Goat Family Classes
• Denver Art Museum: Foxy and Shmoxy: Art Detectives performances
• Denver Botanic Gardens' Plains Conservation Center: Family Workshops
• Denver Zoo: Family Nature Play sessions

SCFD is for everyone

Each year, arts, culture and scientific organizations can apply to be eligible to receive SCFD funding. This funding provides general operating support, so organizations can use it where they need it the most to fulfill their mission. Eligibility applications for organizations new to SCFD are now open. If you are part of an organization that might be a good fit you can learn more about SCFD eligibility. Applications close September 13, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. and eligibility is determined by the end of the year.  

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, The Aurora History Museum and the Louisville History Museum. Here’s a small sample of what’s on tap for August.

• Denver Art Museum – August 8
• Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Summer Film Series – August 11 and 25
• Carousel of Happiness – August 12 and 13
• Parker Arts Gallery Reception: “Oh Honey! The World of Encaustic Art” – August 17
• Museum of Outdoor Arts – August 21
• Four Mile Historic Park – August 25

Get to know our County Cultural Councils!

SCFD’s County Cultural Councils make funding recommendations for annual SCFD funds in each of the district’s partner counties. All members are local volunteers appointed by the county’s commissioners or city councils. Learn more here.

SCFD Board of Directors news

The SCFD is governed by a board of directors with representation from district member counties Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson. 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.

• The next meeting of the SCFD Board of Directors will be held at 1. p.m. on August 24 at the Arvada Center. Get information for joining meetings and see the full calendar of 2023 board meetings.