Bohemian Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries team to support state’s music industry

FORT COLLINS — The Bohemian Foundation, a nonprofit based in Fort Collins, and Colorado Creative Industries on Monday announced a public-private partnership to advance music in Colorado through the Colorado Music Strategy, a plan to support music as a key creative industry in the state.

The strategy provides resources and leadership for music projects, grants to nonprofits to present music, and opportunities for networking and thought-sharing at an annual music conference.

The Bohemian Foundation, founded in 2001 by philanthropist Pat Stryker, has committed $75,000 in matching funds to support the first year of the strategy.

SPONSORED CONTENT

The many benefits of simple, coordinated healthcare

Kaiser Permanente combines health care and coverage in one connected system to maximize employee health and minimize employer costs.

“We are excited to help CCI advance music in Colorado,” said Tom Scharf, Bohemian Foundation’s director of music programs. “We share an interest in supporting live music and helping to grow musicians and music-related organizations, and we are happy to share what we’ve learned and collaborate with communities across the state.”

The CCI pilot music touring project, Detour, will continue through 2017 as part of the strategy with two or three additional statewide tours. Detour was launched in partnership with the Colorado band Flobots to match Colorado musicians with communities throughout state for special performances, community events and workshops. Detour has helped to increase touring opportunities for Colorado musicians while also creating access to music in parts of the state that are not traditional tour stops.

Colorado’s music industry currently contributes 16,300 music-based jobs to the state’s economy and generates $1.8 billion in annual revenue.