The Chamber has long been a supporter of arts and cultural institutions since its founding, recognizing how it improves quality of life, attracts workforce and contributes to the economy. What you may not know is just how involved the Chamber has been.
Securing a Democratic National Convention
In 1908, the Chamber supported the creation of the new civic auditorium to attract a national convention and in the same year, the Democratic National Convention selected Denver as its host city. One hundred years later, the DNC was hosted in Denver once again. In 2008, Barack Obama became the party’s first African-American nominee for president.
Did you know the Denver Municipal Auditorium is now the Buell Theater at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, nationally ranked as one of the highest-grossing theaters of its size in the country?
Preventing the Museum of Natural History from Becoming Extinct
In 1908, the president of the Chamber raised money to pay for the running expenses of the Museum of Natural History in City Park for two months, which prevented the museum from closing. The Museum of Natural History, now known as the Museum of Nature and Science, served more than 1.9 million people in 2016.
Did you know the Museum of Natural History was a part of Mayor Robert Speer’s “City Beautiful” campaign? This campaign shaped the landscape of our city’s parks, boulevards and public places.
Growing Support for SCFD
In 1982, the legislature ended direct support of four major attractions in Denver: the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Natural History and the Denver Zoo. In 1988, the Chamber spearheaded a community-based solution: a sales tax of one penny on every $10 to create seven-county Scientific and Cultural Facilities District to support the major cultural attractions. The Chamber contributed $50,000 and the ballot passed 74.5 percent to 25.5 percent.
The Chamber has continued its commitment to SCFD and subsequent campaigns to sustain this innovative funding program, which has become a national model. Today, SCFD distributes more than $53 million to nearly 300 organizations.
Did you know scientific and cultural organizations attract nearly 14 million people each year, sustains almost 11,000 jobs and create $1.8 billion in economic activity?
Arts and culture sets our region apart—it’s one of the reasons this region is a destination.
Laura James is the marketing and communications coordinator for the Denver Metro Chamber.