All year long, Denver Arts & Venues presents free and low-cost programming at the Arts Complex for everyone to enjoy, elevating the cultural experience, not only inside our venues, but also in every corner of the campus. We use proceeds from paid events at City venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Denver Performing Arts Complex to make these events and other cultural programming possible, and to improve access to art, music and culture for all.
We hope you will join us at an upcoming event!
Denver's Cultural Plan highlights accessibility as one of its main guiding principles with a collective goal to ensure arts, culture and creativity are truly inclusive and accessible to all. We want everyone to experience the magic that happens under the glass canopy of the Arts Complex.
Each year, we create a full roster of programming that we hope connects to anyone interested in participating and we are always open to new ideas. We have outdoor movie nights, immersive theatre, digital art experiences, unconventional performances and placemaking, holiday programming, poetry slams and puppet poetry slams, storytelling, singing, dancing, fashion and so much more.
Occasionally, we bring in national or even international artists, but we like to focus on highlighting the amazing talent from our local artists and groups. In 2019, we worked with more than 50 different creative individuals and cultural organizations to program 100 community-style events throughout the year.
Presented by Denver Arts & Venues
Sunset Cinema is our outdoor movie series that takes place just outside of the Galleria, where the complex meets Sculpture Park. In partnership with Denver Film, every summer is dedicated to films that celebrate a particular genre, director, art form or theme. We also bring in local partners to help us curate the experience with costume contests, games, photo environments, craft cocktails and more.
Glass Top Bar is a casual happy hour experience set under the glass canopy of the Galleria. This pop-up bar is open on select evenings throughout the summer offering a beautiful spot to unwind after a long work day or for a pre-show snack. In addition to cocktails and lite bites, each evening showcases live entertainment from local musicians.
Arts & Venues created the Cultural Partner Program to cultivate collaboration and support for community-based organizations, business entities and individuals aspiring to present professional-level arts and cultural performances at our venues. Throughout the year, you will often find local talent rehearsing in our spaces or bringing new and creative works to the Arts Complex for audiences to enjoy.
Upcoming events featuring local arts organizations
Colorado's Elusive Ingredient has a residency in the Studio Loft this year to present their shadow cast performance of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." This is an audience participation experience where viewers are encouraged to dress up and join the fun.
If you have an idea for a future event, please reach out to our programming manager Peter Dearth at Peter.Dearth@denvergov.org.
