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Producing Partners

Producing Partners

The Producing Partner opportunity invites the Colorado creative community to present at the Arts Complex.  

Elevate Productions: Producing Partners will use the premier venues of the Arts Complex to scale their programs up and showcase their artistic product at an exceptional level.  Productions will leverage the opportunity to generate press, increase visibility, and garner new audiences. 

Uplift Colorado’s Diverse Cultural Communities: Producing Partners will represent the diverse populations of Colorado through unique curatorial voices and strong artistic vision.  Productions will present a mirror to the myriad of experiences of Coloradoan’s, offering audiences the possibility of seeing themselves on stage. 

Collaborative Productions: These presentations will be collaborative efforts that pull together the skills and artists necessary to bring a high-quality production to fruition. 

Funding Detail

Individual Award Amounts: Up to $50,000 

Funding Requirements

  • Projects must take place at the Denver Performing Arts Complex 

  • Projects must take place between January 2026 – December 2026 

  • Projects must have a main contact who will coordinate with Arts Complex staff 

  • Denver Arts & Venues is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all programs, initiatives and decision-making processes.  Proposed initiatives should align to support these values 

Project Eligibility

  • Programs must take place at Arts Complex 

  • New and existing programs  

  • Colorado-based (applicants can be registered elsewhere, but must demonstrate presenting a majority of work in CO)  

  • Independent artists, producers, producing collectives, arts organizations  

  • At least 3-4 years demonstrable experience producing artistically excellent events   

  • If you have received a Producing Partner award from Denver Arts & Venues, you are not eligible again for 2 cycles (e.g. if you were awarded a 2026 Producing Partner award you may apply again during the 2029 cycle) 

  • If you are receiving Arts & Venues support in 2026 via another grant opportunity, you are not eligible for the Producing Partner opportunity 

  • Arts Complex Resident Partners may not apply for this opportunity 

Eligible Projects 

  • Dance  

  • Film 

  • Cirque 

  • Spectacle 

  • Street Theatre 

  • VR / Digital 

  • Puppetry 

  • Spoken Word / Literary 

  • Placemaking & Placekeeping 

  • Multimedia 

  • Speaker Series 

  • Artist Talks / Artist Panels 

  • Comedy 

  • Cultural Festivals 

  • Fashion 

  • Culinary Arts 

  • Immersive, Site-Based, Site-Specific or Interactive 

  • Folk and Traditional Arts 

  • Theatre 

  • Music 

  • Visual Arts 

  • Any art form we are not creative enough to imagine 

Ineligible Projects 

  • Fundraisers 

  • Galas 

  • Award Shows 

  • VIP Experiences 

  • Political Events 

Eligible Expenses

Eligible Expenses 

  • Personnel, production staff, artist stipends  

  • Production-related expenses 

  • Marketing   

Ineligible Expenses 

  • Programs that restrict participation and access on the basis of race, gender, creed, origin, age, disability 

  • Expenses incurred outside of the funding period 

  • Maintenance, operation or retroactive funding of existing projects 

  • Re-granting 

  • Fundraising activities 

  • Cash reserves and endowments 

  • Capital projects 

  • Political campaigns or legislative issues 

  • Alcohol 

Timeline

  • Application cycle: October 21 – November 24, 2025  

  • Informational session & venue tour: Monday November 3, from 5-6:30pm 

  • Panel review process: December 1 – December 19, 2025 

  • Selected applicants notified: Early January 2026  

  • Grant Award Distribution: Throughout 2026, based on project timing within 2026 booking calendar 

  • Implementation: Programs to take place between February – December 31, 2026 

Award Information

  • Direct production stipend of up to $25,000 

  • Use of Arts Complex facilities for public performance(s) (a value of between $1,600-$5,000/day, depending on chosen space) 

  • Includes time for load-in, tech, rehearsal and load-out 

  • Waved sound, lights & power (a value of $3,300/date) 

  • $25,000 credit against venue expenses/labor (box office, security, ushers, stagehands, equipment rentals) 

  • Access to items in venue inventory based on availability. 

  • Retain ticketing revenue from public performance(s) 

  • General marketing support consisting of the following: public performance(s) listed on artsandvenuesdenver.com and artscomplex.com events calendars, in the Spotlight newsletter and on Denver Arts & Venues social channels. 

  • Access to professional photographer to document process and public presentation. 

Recipient Requirements

  • Enter a grant agreement and booking agreement with Denver Arts & Venues  

    • Individuals: 

      • Will need to procure & hold a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that includes General Liability, Automobile Liability, and Workers Compensation and Employers’ Liability 

      • Organizations may seek a Rejection of Coverage for Workers’ Compensation through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division 

      • Will need to be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office 

    • Organizations: 

      • Will need to procure & hold a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that includes General Liability 

      • If utilizing a vehicle for any project related purpose (load-in, load-out) at the Arts Complex, proof of personal automobile insurance is required 

  • Meet production deadlines 

  • Bring proposed event to fruition  

  • All ticketing must be hosted on the AXS.com platform and included in our Pay What You Wish ticketing program 

  • Final report at conclusion of project 

  • Implement marketing efforts above and beyond what Arts & Venues provides to reach and expand audiences  

  • Credit Arts & Venues support on all marketing assets promoting this event.  If presenting a world premiere/new work, credit Denver Arts & Venues in future presentations of the work supported by this partnership