Five Points Jazz Grants

Five Points Jazz Grants is sponsored by Denver Arts & Venues. This grant supports jazz performances and jazz-related activities in Five Points, Denver, to celebrate the history of jazz and foster a new generation of artists with contemporary, innovative jazz programming.

Five Points Jazz Grants | Denver Arts & Venues This Five Points Jazz grant supports jazz performances and jazz-related activities in Five Points, both to celebrate the history of jazz in the "Harlem of the West" and to foster a new generation of artists in the neighborhood with contemporary, innovative jazz programming.

The goal of this grant program is to celebrate and uplift jazz artists and jazz-related programming in the context of the DENVER CREATES: A Collective Commitment to the Arts , the city's roadmap for a thriving arts and culture ecosystem. Grounded in research and driven by community voices, this roadmap outlines three commitments to create a more equitable and dynamic cultural landscape.

Current and Past Five Points Jazz Grantees Applications Open: September 22, 2025 Applications Close: October 27, 2025 Notifications: Late November 2025 Disbursement: January 2026 Award Amount: Up to $10,000 Learn more about the Five Points Jazz Grant program and application process from Denver Arts & Venues team members.

The goal of this grant is to celebrate and uplift jazz artists and jazz-related programming in the context of the DENVER CREATES: A Collective Commitment to the Arts, the city’s roadmap for a thriving arts and culture ecosystem.

Grounded in research and driven by community voices, this roadmap outlines three commitments to create a more equitable and dynamic cultural landscape: Commitment #1: Broaden Access to Arts and Culture Advance equity and access in arts and culture funding Reduce barriers to audience engagement Commitment #2: Cultivate the Cultural Community Amplify Denver’s Cultural Successes and Reputation Build Cross-Sector Collaborations Integrate Artists in Community Decision-Making Build Arts Leadership and Education Commitment #3: Support the Economic Vitality of Denver’s Cultural Sector Increase access and affordability of spaces Retain local talent and resources More information on the DENVER CREATES cultural roadmap can be found here .

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applications can be for new or existing projects. Projects must be jazz-related and accessible to the public.

Cultural institutions, non- or for-profit entities, educational institutions, neighborhood and community-based organizations and individual artists can apply. City agencies are not eligible for funding, but can be listed as a partner on applications. Projects must take place within the designated footprint (please see activation area below).

Our current policy is that an individual or entity cannot receive funding from Denver Arts & Venues for the same project or program in a single calendar year (January 1 – December 31). If you are applying with a project or program that has already received other funding for the 2026 year from Denver Arts & Venues, you are ineligible to apply in the current cycle.

The shaded area represents where Five Points Jazz Fund activities must take place. This map is meant to serve as a reference point – if you need more information or have a specific question about location and eligibility, please reach out to Sonia Rae at Sonia. Rae@denvergov.

org . The boundaries are as follows and encompass businesses and organizations located on both sides of the street: 20th Avenue between Broadway and Downing Street Downing Street between 20th Avenue and 31st Avenue 32nd Street between Downing and Arapahoe Street Arapahoe Street to Broadway Funded programs must take place between January 1 and December 31, 2026.

Grantees will participate in an onboarding call with Denver Arts & Venues to kick off the grant implementation phase and communicate key project milestones or any challenges with your grant. The program must have an identified project lead who will implement and track the impact of the program.

If the program is significantly changed (e.g. project description, event location/s and frequency, target audience) you must contact the Program Manager to discuss these updates. Please note that if the changes affect eligibility, you may be required to return the funds. If your event has a ticketed cost, please include a minimum of two comped tickets for Denver Arts & Venues staff to attend and celebrate your work.

If there are any events related to your program that are open to the public, we ask you to let us know by submitting this form at least 30-60 days in advance, so that we may help you promote the event. Grantees will acknowledge the support of Denver Arts & Venues in all program branding and promotion. Grantees must submit a Project Wrap-Up form.

While we do not require comprehensive final reports, we would love to hear how your project went in your own words.

We encourage you to share the impact of the program in one or more of the following ways: Photos and videos of the program Review and Scoring Criteria Each application will be scored on Program Description (30%), Alignment with DENVER CREATES (15%), Program Impact and Relevance (10%), Program Audience (18%) and Feasibility and Planning (27%) using a review criteria.

Please note that scoring will be based on the quality of the responses to the application. For more information, please contact Shanna Shelby, Cultural Affairs Program Manager. Denver Arts & Venues complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender or language.

It is your right to request oral or written language assistance services in your primary language, if needed. Please contact Denver Arts & Venues and these services will be provided to you free of charge.