Boulder Arts Week will return for its twelfth year from April 4 to April 12, featuring a diverse array of artistic disciplines, including visual art, music, dance, and, for the first time, culinary arts.
“Boulder Arts Week is a week-long celebration of art and creativity, showcasing the best and brightest talent in our local area,” Program Manager Cindy Sepucha said. “We like to think of it as a restaurant week for the arts, an opportunity for people to try something new.”
The festival expands this year with the inclusion of culinary arts, an addition that is expected to foster cross-genre collaborations. “I love food, and I think cooking and baking are such creative outlets,” Sepucha said.
The Boulder County Arts Alliance (BCAA), a founding board member of Boulder Arts Week, continues to play a crucial role in supporting local artists and organizations. “We exist to provide professional development, grant funding, fiscal sponsorship, advocacy, and leadership resources for artists,” BCAA Programs Coordinator Maggie Saunders said. The organization manages the Boulder Arts Week Calendar, a platform that connects artists and patrons with local arts programming. The calendar was created in response to community requests for a centralized platform to streamline event information.
Many local artists and organizations plan special programming specifically for Boulder Arts Week. “They have amazing offerings year-round, but during Boulder Arts Week, they bring something extra special,” Sepucha said.
Collaboration between artists and local businesses is also growing. BC Interiors, an office furniture store, is hosting an open house with live music and visual art, while Titan Vans is transforming its warehouse into a pop-up art space. “We invited businesses and artists to a networking event earlier this year, and from that, some really exciting partnerships have formed,” Sepucha said.
In a major new development, Boulder Arts Week will introduce its first-ever Boulder Arts Week Awards (or “BAWies”), recognizing individuals and organizations shaping the local arts landscape. Award categories include the Champion of Champions Award for local businesses supporting the arts, the Artivist Award for those using art to advance social or climate justice, the Uncharted Territory Award for bold innovation, the Bright Future Award for promising students, and the community-voted Boulder Buzz Award. Awardees will receive a $1,000 stipend, with the aim of inspiring future creativity and collaboration within Boulder’s arts ecosystem.
Public participation remains a central focus of the festival, as the event provides opportunities for attendees to explore new artistic experiences. “Organizations and artists have their regular audiences, but we want to get new people in the door,” Sepucha said.
The annual Student Banner Project, a partnership with Downtown Boulder, will once again be a highlight. Local elementary, middle, and high school students design banners that will be displayed along the Pearl Street Mall. “It’s such a beautiful, wholesome, small-town celebration of local talent,” Sepucha said.
Among the many performances and exhibits, Saunders highlighted "Squirrel For ALL - Democracy and Human Rights," an artist focused on climate justice and civic engagement, who will perform on Pearl Street on April 6. “They might even make an appearance at the Taste of Poets on Pearl Stage, which we’re really excited about,” Saunders said.
With over 100 events scheduled and more expected, Boulder Arts Week continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression in the city. Events will range from the NoBo First Friday art walk to performances in both traditional and unconventional spaces. “We want to create an economic landscape that is more supportive of professional artists,” Saunders said. “Artists contribute immense social value, and it’s crucial that they are recognized and compensated as professionals.”
For a full schedule of events and more information on how to get involved, visit the official Boulder Arts Week website.
