Ars Nova Singers

This summer, hit the trail with the Ars Nova Singers! Scott Carpenter Park in Boulder, Colorado is now home to a free, immersive musical experience known as “ASCENT: A Boulder Soundwalk”, which pairs the local landscape with the beautiful vocals of the Ars Nova Singers, conducted by Artistic Director Tom Morgan.

In 2022, the Boulder choral group was approached by composer, Divya Maus, to collaborate on a public soundwalk experience. Maus had composed music for soundwalks in both Los Angeles and Denver and was inspired to create an experience based on Boulder, one of the places she called home when she was growing up. Maus composed music for the experience that summer, and Ars Nova recorded each piece in October. Then, after the editing and mixing process was completed in February, Maus painstakingly uploaded each recording onto the Echoes app, pairing them with their corresponding locations in the park in real time as she walked. In March of 2023, ASCENT: A Boulder Soundwalk in Scott Carpenter Park came to life. 

By downloading the Echoes app on a GPS-enabled device, listeners can embark on a self-guided musical journey through the park all summer long. There are three choral movements and fifteen short “sound bubbles” in different locations to explore, each based upon the natural surroundings.

SCFD welcomes Christine Fiedler

The SCFD team is thrilled to welcome new Program Officer, Christine Fiedler. A passionate advocate for equal rights, Christine has dedicated her career in fundraising to support nonprofits such as Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Justice-Speaks, Free Speech TV, Foothills Art Center and Denver Kids, Inc. She enjoys gardening, traveling, snowboarding and attending as many live music, theatrical and cultural events as possible. Meet Christine.

SCFD is for everyone

Each year, arts, culture and scientific organizations can apply to be eligible to receive SCFD funding. This funding provides general operating support, so organizations can use it where they need it the most to fulfill their mission. Eligibility applications for organizations new to SCFD are now open. If you are part of an organization that might be a good fit you can learn more about SCFD eligibility. Applications close in September and eligibility is determined by the end of the year. 

Free Days/Events

Organizations from across the metro area provide hundreds of free days and free programs each year made possible, in part, by funding from SCFD. Some organizations are free every day such as Broomfield Veterans Museum, Foothills Art Center, Colorado Music Hall of Fame, The Aurora History Museum and the Louisville History Museum. Here’s a small sample of what’s on tap for July.

• Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Summer Film Series – July 14 & 28
• Museum of Outdoor Arts – July 17
• Clyfford Still Museum – July 23
• Four Mile Historic Park – July 28

Get to know our County Cultural Councils!

SCFD’s County Cultural Councils make funding recommendations for annual SCFD funds in each of the district’s partner counties. All members are local volunteers appointed by the county’s commissioners or city councils. Learn more here.

SCFD Board of Directors news

The SCFD is governed by a board of directors with representation from district member counties Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson. The board oversees district funding and ensures the district is running the way voters intended. The board meets eight times a year and all meetings are open to the public.

• The next meeting of the SCFD Board of Directors will be held at 1. p.m. on July 27 at Vintage Theatre in Aurora. Get information for joining meetings and see the full calendar of 2023 board meetings.