Our Mission
​The Cultural Caravan seeks to prove culture as a powerful agent of change within our community by operating at the intersection of small businesses, social-service nonprofits, municipal organizations, and local arts to present world-class performers in low-cost or free events in mainstream and offbeat venues, and to include a wide diversity of voices in the process.
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“When the Cultural Caravan plays at our restaurant, the artists and audience come together and create a sense of community that is rarely matched on any other day of the year. The creativity and artistry involved are best in class. There's nothing in Boulder that comes close to the Caravan.”
MICHAEL MEHIEL
Local Business Owner
Gemini on Pearl
“The students said it was the best concert they had ever seen. Not only did they learn about Zimbabwean music—they literally danced out of school!”
CHRISTINE THOMAS
Assistant Principal
Alicia Sanchez Elementary
"My family are huge fans, and join as many concerts as we can. I am from Argentina and I miss our popular and accessible folk festivals. The Cultural Caravan provides a space for us to enjoy and connect with live music in the U.S. Thank you for all you do for the culture of Boulder.”
FLOR OROSZ HUNZIKER
Cultural Caravan audience member
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For five years, the Cultural Caravan has been integrating high-level performance into the everyday life of Boulder County—activating parks, food banks, bookstores, libraries, cafés, galleries, affordable housing, and other underserved public spaces through curated pop-up concerts as well as world-class MainStage experiences.​​​
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By the Numbers
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172 accessible performances presented since May 2021
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184 artists featured with backgrounds ranging from Zimbabwean Afropop to classical, Venezuelan jazz to Hindustani traditional music
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70 businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and other local partners
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250+ individual donors to date
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6,500+ MainStage attendees since May 2022
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117% MainStage audience growth since January 2024
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10x annual budget growth since 2021
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$850,000+ raised and reinvested into the community​
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Current Programs​
The Caravan's year-round season draws together local artists as well as those from around the world in partnership with area businesses, municipal organizations, and social-service nonprofits.
The Caravan’s current season includes four artist residency weeks and a 10-day June festival, totaling 40+ events annually. Our programming spans musical traditions and genres, from classical music to Afropop, Venezuelan jazz, Hindustani classical music, and beyond. Headline artists—all with local ties—invite renowned guests from around the world to collaborate on unique programs.
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Our annual public offerings include:
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10 MainStage Concerts: Large-scale concerts held at accessible venues, with pay-what-you-wish ticketing starting at $5.
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25+ Community Pop-Up Events: Free, intimate performances at schools, parks, public libraries, local businesses, and nonprofit sites. These events engage diverse audiences, particularly those from underserved communities.
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Family Programming: Interactive workshops and family-friendly concerts at venues such as the Boulder Public Library’s Canyon Theater and NoBo branch encourage participation from parents and children alike.​​​
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Collaboration​
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Collaboration is at the heart of the Cultural Caravan’s success. We work with a diverse array of partners, including:
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Municipal organizations in Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, and Broomfield, which help us reach new audiences and build connections across the region. Based on our feedback forms, these efforts have proven to draw residents from surrounding communities into Boulder for events.
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Nonprofit partners such as Emergency Family Assistance Association and Sister Carmen Community Center, who help us engage marginalized groups, including immigrants, non-English speakers, and individuals experiencing food, housing, and income insecurity.
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Fellow arts organizations such as the Center for Musical Arts in Lafayette, with whom we co-produce our popular series Behind the Music, an onstage series hosted by our Artistic Director, Josh Halpern.
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60+ local businesses—ranging from bookstores to art galleries, restaurants to farmers markets—which benefit from unique programming that attracts new customers and enhances Boulder’s cultural vibrancy.
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Inclusivity​
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The Cultural Caravan actively creates a more inclusive arts landscape, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and celebrated.
75% of our programming highlights artists or musical traditions from nonwhite or non-Western European backgrounds, and 60% of our artist roster is nonwhite. The Caravan is committed to creating a space where diverse voices are heard and celebrated, and to ensuring our programs are accessible:
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Diverse artists ensure representation and visibility for often-marginalized groups.
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Pay-what-you-wish ticketing for MainStage concerts starting at $5, with free tickets available to nonprofit partner participants and families from Title I BVSD schools.
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Free community pop-ups at locations throughout Boulder.
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Bilingual outreach materials in English and Spanish, designed to connect with Boulder’s Latin community.
The Cultural Caravan partners with social service organizations to help eliminate barriers to attendance and participation, while regular engagement with artists ensures that programming reflects their cultural identities and personal stories.
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