10 W E S T W O R D F a l l A r t s G u i d e 2 0 2 5 westword.com year, according to Christoph Heinrich, the DAM’s Frederick and Jan Mayer Director. The DAM includes hundreds of thousands of square feet of permanent and temporary art exhibits that span across multiple fl oors, buildings, eras and cultures in Den- ver’s Golden Triangle Creative District. “The funding helps the DAM broadly serve the community and collaborate cre- atively with our SCFD peers, local artists and organizations, as well as national and international collaborations that build the reputation of the museum and the Denver metro area,” Heinrich says. For the DAM, this looks like monthly Free Days and free family festivals, such as Día del Niño and the Annual Friendship Powwow, a community celebration high- lighting Native American art and culture that celebrated its 36th year at the begin- ning of September. “SCFD funding also bolsters the DAM’s school, family and access programs — such as our Sensory Friendly Mornings — as well as our presentations of world-class art exhibitions and the conservation of the museum’s collections, so they can be enjoyed for generations to come,” Heinrich continues. He adds that the SCFD lowers barriers to entry for museums and cultural organi- zations, including language barriers: The DAM is the fi rst museum in the metro area to become fully bilingual in English and Spanish across its entire campus. Additionally, the Kirkland Institute of Fine & Decorative Art merged with the DAM last year, and Heinrich says museum staff worked to ensure the Kirkland ex- perience would be enjoyable for younger visitors while keeping the collection safe by incorporating more family-friendly el- ements such as Bloomberg Connects tours, a family area and art activities. Denver Botanic Gardens In 2024, the Denver Botanic Gardens re- ceived $6,764,496 in SCFD funding and anticipates a little more this year, according to DBG Interim Director of Marketing and Social Responsibility Erin Bird. The DBG’s mission is to connect people with plants across its three campuses — York Street in Denver, Chatfi eld Farms in Littleton and Plains Conservation Center in Aurora — through therapeutic horticulture programs, art, urban food access, conservation efforts and more. SCFD funding makes it possible for the DBG to host 24 Free Days a year across its three locations and supports mission-fo- cused efforts such as horticulture, art and exhibitions, research and conservation, the Helen Fowler Library and Chatfi eld Farms, Bird adds. Longtime DBG CEO Brian Vogt died earlier this year; according to Bird, the DBG staff is dedicated to continuing Vogt’s efforts of ecological conservation, research, community events and rotating art exhibi- tions at its Freyer-Newman Center. Agave: Symbol and Spirit, an exhibit about the succulent plant’s cultural and spiritual role in Mexico, and Nourished, Works by Jazz Holmes, a display honoring southern American food culture through artworks celebrating Creole dishes, open September 28. Xochimilco: Works by Edu- ardo Robledo Romero, opens October 11, displaying the works of Mexican artist Edu- ardo Robledo Romero that focus on animal spirit guides and shamans, exploring “the complex ties that bind Mexican culture to the natural world through both Indigenous and European beliefs.” This fall, people can also look forward to popular events like Glow at the Gar- dens (York Street), the Pumpkin Festival (Chatfi eld Farms), Ghosts in the Gardens (York Street) and an expansive display of butterfl ies during Yo Soy: Mariposas Sin Fronteras (York Street). Denver Center for the Performing Arts In 2024, the Denver Center for the Per- forming Arts received $9,026,136 in SCFD funding. The DCPA offers locally produced theater productions, brings in touring Broadway shows, offers education programs and features more activities at nine venues around the Mile High City. Sinden says that early estimates indicate this year’s SCFD funding helped the DCPA “offer more than 985,000 engagement opportunities through theatrical produc- tions, educational programs, community engagement events and venue rentals.” The funding has also allowed afford- able ticketing opportunities such as rush tickets for seniors, students and military members; free tickets to individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend a per- formance (nearly 12,000 of those tickets were distributed in 2024); and invitations for partners to attend dress rehearsals at no cost. The DCPA also works to engage the community through free Shakespeare in the Parking Lot performances, community dance classes and partnerships with other SCFD-funded organizations like Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Opera Colorado and the Denver Public Library. “SCFD funds are regularly used to sup- port original work by the Denver Center Theater Company (typically an eight-play season), DCPA Off-Center (typically one or two annual productions) and new play development through commissions, work- shops and public readings,” Sinden adds. This fall, patrons can attend the Young Audiences production of Goodnight Moon (October 24 through January 25), the Denver Center Theatre Company pro- duction of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Octo- ber 3 through November 2) and national touring productions of Shucked (Octo- ber 7 through October 19) and The Lion King (October 23 through November 16). Denver Museum of Nature & Science In 2024, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science received $12,507,937 in SCFD funding, the highest sum of the fi ve Tier I recipients. This year, the DMNS celebrates its 125th anniversary of bringing the world to Colorado through its 711,000-square- foot campus in City Park and its collection of more than 4.3 million objects — from taxidermy dioramas A Penny for Your Thoughts continued from page 8 continued on page 10 Flock Party at the Denver Zoo was earlier this month. DZCA
