The arts community saw projects years in the making come to fruition in 2024, and new spaces are still on the horizon. While Longmont voters turned down a property tax measure in November, dashing hopes for a new performance space (for now, at least; read this Boulder Weekly story for more), here are some fresh places to explore the arts now and in years to come.
BMoCA
Five finalists have been selected to lead the design and architecture of the North Boulder Creative Campus, set to include 17,500 square feet of space for Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA), 17,500 square feet of commercial space, 67 residential units and 96 parking spaces.
“One of the things I’m looking for is someone who can translate the vision we have for the new facility into an iconic building for the community and also designed by the community,” executive director and chief curator David Dadone said.
The finalist selection came just before Boulder City Council OK’d changes to the North Boulder Sub Community Plan on Aug. 15 that open the door for the mixed-use development and higher intensity use the creative campus would require.
The pool of architectural teams will be narrowed to three by the end of the month, Dadone said, and the community will be invited to hear presentations and give feedback on each in November before a final selection is made late this year or early 2025.
Deputy Director Gwen Burak told Boulder Weekly last year that the initial estimated cost of the building was $15 million; Dadone said the cost of the project could still change, depending on things like the design of the building and changes in materials costs by the time crews break ground in 2027.
Dadone was tight-lipped about how much funding the museum still needs for the project, but said the museum has raised a “significant portion of the dollars.” The new space is expected to open in 2030.
Dadone hopes BMoCA can also keep its current downtown space that the museum leases from the city and has called home for five decades.
“Our vision is to move the flagship to North Boulder, but continue to have a presence downtown with exhibitions and programs,” he said. “We are developing creative ideas around how can this building help further support arts organizations and the vibrant arts community in Boulder through this facility.”
Longmont Museum
With new office spaces for staff and an opening soiree that welcomed the community to the expanded Stewart Family Courtyard — which more than doubled its capacity — in early September, Longmont Museum’s expansion project is nearly complete.
The final phase of the project will see the addition of a large “flex” gallery as well as renovations to current galleries, one of which will be turned into a children’s space. Museum Director Erik Mason said construction is expected to begin in 2025, with the spaces opening in 2026.
In the past, the museum has had only one rotating exhibit gallery, Mason said.
“We’ve had to choose which of our core audiences we can really connect with at any one time,” he said. “Adding this third gallery will allow us to always have something for that children and family audience, and also have a gallery that is suited for international artists.”
The new gallery space, he said, might be used to showcase anything from local art and history to renowned artists like M.C. Escher and Andy Warhol.
The organization’s capital campaign has raised more than 88% of its $8.1 million goal, according to Mason.
Groundworks Art Lab
Groundworks Art Lab, formerly Studio Arts, welcomed its first students to Diagonal Crossing in July, more than six years after the land for the 12,500-square-foot space was donated.
“This is a really big thing. It’s bigger than me. It’s bigger than the building. It’s bigger than our organization,” Executive Director Kari Palazzari said. “It really is the whole community coming together to provide this space for people to be creative and have a break from their routine and work with their hands, get grounded.”
The organization has raised more $8.5 million, including the value of donated land, but there’s still a big bill to foot for $13.5 million project — the organization is working to pay off the $5 million it took on in construction and clean energy loans, and looking at refinancing options in the meantime, Palazzari said.
“Our ultimate fundraising goal is to be debt free with an endowment,” she said. “Then I would feel like my job is done.”
Classes for wood, metal and print as well as the organization’s hallmark clay classes are now underway, and the team is still being built for the stained glass and flame work studio. The new name, Groundworks, pays homage to its students and the art they make.
“A lot of the materials that we use are of the earth, from the ground,” she said. “Making art is a very grounding experience to use your hands and to be focused. And we primarily provide community classes, and those classes are really meant for all ages and abilities. Our purpose is really that anyone can come in and start in these art forms without having to invest in equipment or space or safety precautions. We’re really laying a foundation for folks to learn these art forms.”
The nonprofit is still waiting on its final certificate of occupancy, currently operating on temporary permission from the city. Once permit fees are paid and the certificate of occupancy is issued, Palazzari says the nonprofit will welcome the community with a grand opening celebration.