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FORT COLLINS, Colorado, December 6, 2021- Pianos About Town, an interactive public art program in Fort Collins, announced today that it is seeking artists or artist teams to paint or artistically decorate pianos in 2022.
The program is looking for diversity in artwork styles and concepts, with a preference for emerging artists and new and exciting ideas. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $1,000. To apply, artists must submit a letter of intent and concept rendering. The application deadline is Feb. 1 before 4 p.m. MST. A City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places committee selects artists each year. For further information and to apply, visit fcgov.com/art-calls.
The program will offer two virtual sessions to provide resources for potential applicants. During the first session, potential applicants will hear a presentation about the application process and will have opportunities to ask questions. The second set of virtual sessions are one-on-one meetings during which program staff will work with artists to review their applications and answer questions. Neither session is required in order to apply.
Pianos About Town is a public art initiative that provides paid work to local visual artists, gives the public the opportunity to observe these artists work in real time, showcases the work of artists throughout town, and brings opportunities for spontaneous musical expression to the streets of Fort Collins.
The original inspiration for Pianos About Town comes from British artist Luke Jerram, who created a 60-piano installation that toured the world, stopping in New York City in June 2010. Pianos About Town also was inspired by a similar project on Denver’s 16th Street Mall. The first pianos were placed in Downtown Fort Collins in 2010.
Pianos come from donations made by community members looking for a new home for their used instruments. Pianos are picked up, free of charge, from their previous homes and brought to a storage area where they are cleaned, tuned, prepped for painting, and readied for the outside elements. After that, the painting begins. Each selected local artist spends approximately two weeks painting their piano in downtown Fort Collins, outdoors in a public location when weather permits. Once painted, each finished piano enters into rotation at Pianos About Town locations throughout Fort Collins. Area businesses play a key role in the success of the project by “adopting” the painted pianos and covering them during inclement weather.
Pianos About Town is a collaboration among Bohemian Foundation, the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 9, 2021 – Students from 20 middle and high schools in Poudre and Thompson School Districts participating in the Give Next youth philanthropy program capped off the school year by awarding $105,204 to 36 Larimer County nonprofits.
Give Next is a school-based youth philanthropy program designed to provide middle and high school students with experience in philanthropic giving. While schools transitioned to online learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, participating classes continued efforts to learn about and raise money for Larimer County nonprofits.
Give Next is a school-based youth philanthropy program designed to provide middle and high school students with experience in philanthropic giving. Despite a year of continued challenges and disruptions brought about by COVID-19, participating classes carried out the program while shuffling through a mixture of remote, hybrid and in-person learning.
“We celebrate the students and teachers who demonstrated their commitment to our community by adapting Give Next to their virtual, remote learning realities,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs director. “They found new, creative ways to connect with nonprofits during a challenging time and supported many organizations at the center of our community’s COVID-19 response.”
Through the program, local businesses, foundations and individuals become classroom donors by providing each participating school with $5,000 to award to Larimer County nonprofits. Many of the students from participating schools also complete their own fundraisers to add to the $5,000 grant amount provided by donors. This year, students raised $5,204 to accompany the $100,000 provided by donors. Throughout the year, students design and manage their own grantmaking programs. Students work together to identify community needs, choose a focus area, create their own mission statement, research nonprofits, volunteer, conduct site visits, review grant applications and make funding decisions. At the end of the school year, students award grants to selected nonprofits. Through the process, Give Next enables students to experience the power of teamwork and the impact they can have on their community.
Since the program’s inception in 2012, more than half a million dollars has been awarded to Larimer County nonprofits—$595,000 of which was provided by classroom donors and nearly $85,000 of which was raised by Give Next students. Every donor dollar goes directly to student grantmaking.
For more information about becoming a Give Next classroom donor or about participating in the program, contact Jodie Riesenberger at 970-221-2636 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Click here to view the full list of 2020-2021 Give Next grant recipients.
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation supports local, national and global efforts to build strong communities.
Bohemian Foundation provides management support for Give Next.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 2, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced the creation of the Bohemian Fund, a responsive grantmaking program which combines and expands upon two of Bohemian Foundation’s established funds, Pharos Fund and Muse. Bohemian Foundation’s Music and Community programs have teamed up to create the new fund.
For more information about the Bohemian Fund, visit Bohemian Foundation’s website at bohemianfoundation.org/bohemian-fund.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 19, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that it awarded more than $560,000 to 31 local organizations working to encourage and enable youth to thrive, empower individuals and families on the path toward economic stability, and strengthen our vibrant community. Bohemian Foundation awards Pharos Fund grants twice every year. Since its inception in 2001, Bohemian Foundation has awarded $21 million dollars in Pharos Fund grants to a variety of organizations serving the Fort Collins area.
“We're pleased to support organizations making an impact in our community,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs Director. “These Pharos Fund recipients demonstrate understanding of the community need and produce measurable outcomes through their work.”
Pharos Fund is a responsive grantmaking program of Bohemian Foundation that makes awards up to $30,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government units. A committee comprised of Bohemian Foundation board members and community reviewers selects grantees through a competitive application process.
Click here to view the full list of Spring 2021 Pharos Fund recipients.
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.
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