Press Room

The program will offer two different sessions designed to provide resources for potential applicants. Neither session is required in order to apply. During the first session, potential applicants will hear a presentation about the application process and will have opportunities to ask questions. The second session is an open house and application review, during which program staff will work one-on-one with attendees to review their applications and make application recommendations.

Application Information

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 5 p.m. MST on Feb. 10. An Art in Public Places committee selects artists each year. For further information and to apply, visit fcgov.com/artspublic/current-competitions.

Session I: Presentation and Q&A

• Jan. 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Carnegie Center for Creativity, 200 Mathews St., Fort Collins
• This session will include a presentation at 6:30 p.m. about the application and review process. Handouts will be provided and program staff will be available to answer questions during the rest of the session.

Session II: Open House and Application Review

• Jan. 23, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Carnegie Center for Creativity, 200 Mathews St., Fort Collins
• At this drop-in session, staff will be available to sit with applicants one-on-one to review applications and make application recommendations. Staff also will be available to provide general information for applicants who were unable to attend the first information session. Information about other artist opportunities offered by the City of Fort Collins will be available.

About Pianos About Town

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 are acquired through 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 started as a collaboration among Bohemian Foundation, the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program.

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Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization or a governmental unit serving a charitable purpose. Private foundations, type III non-functionally-integrated supporting organizations, and programs and projects under fiscal sponsorship are ineligible to apply to Pharos Fund. Applicants may apply for the following types of support: program support, general operating support or project support.

Applicants do not need to be headquartered in Fort Collins to receive funding. However, applicants must serve clients within the Poudre School District boundary or have a direct impact on individuals in the grantmaking area. To apply for a grant, visit bohemianfoundation.org/pharos-apply.

Bohemian Foundation is offering two Pharos Fund workshops. Capacity is limited; please only one individual per organization.

Pharos Workshop 1

• Date: Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020
• Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
• Location: Bohemian Foundation, 262 E. Mountain Ave.
• Capacity: 20
• Register for the Jan. 7 workshop here

Pharos Workshop 2

• Date: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2020
• Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
• Location: Bohemian Foundation, 262 E. Mountain Ave.
• Capacity: 20
• Register for the Jan. 13 workshop here

Bohemian Foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 23. Pharos Fund grant applications are considered twice per year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Applicants may request any funding amount up to $30,000 per application. For more information about Pharos Fund grants, visit bohemianfoundation.org, call 970-221-2636 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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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 Fall 2019 Pharos Fund recipients.

Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for the next Pharos Fund round on December 11, 2019. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.

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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Muse provides grants to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align with at least one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live contemporary music.

Click here to view the full list of Fall 2019 Muse recipients.

Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for Muse grants again in spring 2020. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.

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 grant making programs and special initiatives.

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