Now Accepting 2009 Mayor's Award Nominations! Call for Nominations 2009 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts DOCA is seeking nominations for the 2009 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.  Nominations may be for: individual artists, other individuals or collaboratives; educators or educational institutions; or service and/or support to the arts.  Visit www.DenverGov.org/MayorsAwards to submit your nomination online.  The deadline is December 4, 2009 at 5 p.m.

Denver Office of Cultural Affairs Overview The mission of the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) is to advance the arts and culture in the City and County of Denver.   Denver is a culturally vibrant city with over 300 large and small arts and cultural organizations. DOCA builds on that vibrancy through working with other City offices, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and beyond to fulfill its mission. DOCA provides a core service to the community through its various events and programs. Arts and culture are a part of the fiber of the City of Denver.

DOCA Announces $225,000 in Recovery Act Grants for Arts Employment DOCA has announced $225,000 in stimulus grants to 15 local arts organizations. The grants, supported by American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds through the National Endowment for the Arts, range from $7,500 to $25,000 and will restore and retain staff and contract positions critical to the operation of these cultural nonprofits. DOCA grants will impact 43 jobs, funding over 14,000 hours of employment over the next year. Go to the Recovery Act Employment Grants tab for complete information.   For information on all Recovery Act funding received by the City of Denver, visit www.denvergov.org/recovery

Urban Arts Fund The purpose of the Denver Urban Arts Fund (UAF) is to prevent graffiti vandalism by generating positive, well-tended and active community gathering spaces, and by producing opportunities for young people to participate in diversionary art and leadership programs.     The grants awarded through the program will focus on measurable outcomes related to the prevention of graffiti vandalism, and will become an ongoing project to involve artists in building strong communities.   The UAF will provide small grant funds ($500-$7,500) for programs that: help reclaim a graffiti hot spot and create a positive community space; and/or  help create and increase youth access and exposure to positive and monitored alternatives and support systems, including positive arts opportunities. Due to the high interest in this program, the 2009 Pilot funds have been spent and applications are no longer being accepted.  However, we plan to re-introduce the program in early 2010 with new funding.  Please keep checking here for new application materials.   The Denver Urban Arts Fund is an outgrowth of the Graffiti Task Force recommendations.  The recommendations support the role of prevention as an important component—along with abatement and enforcement—of reducing graffiti vandalism in Denver.