Dairy Arts Center revises Co-Production Program

BOULDER — The Dairy Arts Center is changing its Co-Production Program to accept applications year-round and provide selected artists with free use of performance space.

Applications will be reviewed twice a year, around December and June, with selected projects scheduled based on availability of the Dairy Arts Center.

The Boulder nonprofit launched the program in 2024 to provide performance space for emerging, underrepresented and innovative artists and other projects that might face financial or other barriers to booking a professional venue.

Under the revised program, artists, organizations and presenters can apply throughout the year rather than during a limited application period. The Dairy Center will match selected projects with open dates on its calendar.

The program no longer will provide a production stipend, but participants can receive rent-free venue space, ticketing assistance and production coordination.

“The Co-Production Program has always been about access, but this new model allows us to think more intentionally about what kind of access the Dairy is uniquely positioned to provide,” Shay Wescott, development manager at Dairy Arts Center, said in a written statement. “We want artists to come to us with their vision intact — with work they’re excited to share — and then help remove the structural barriers that can stand between that work and an audience.”

Wescott said the year-round model will enable the organization to respond “in real time” to new projects and programming opportunities.

Eligible projects can include theater, dance, music, film, multidisciplinary performance, cultural programming and other creative work aligned with the Dairy’s mission and values.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee made up of Dairy Arts Center staff and community members.

Artists, organizations, and presenters interested in applying can review the full program details and submit an application at thedairy.org/coproductionprogram.

Located at 2590 Walnut St., the 42,000-square-foot Dairy Arts Center is a multidisciplinary facility that includes performance venues, galleries, studios, rehearsal space and a 60-seat cinema.

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