The Dairy Center for the Arts, a nonprofit cultural arts organization founded in 1992. The Dairy Center for the Arts provides the Boulder community diverse opportunities to create, learn and participate in high quality performing and visual art experiences. The Dairy is committed to excellence and growth of the arts in the Boulder area as an umbrella for resident organizations of distinction, a venue for professional and emerging talent, and as an arts presenter.

The Dairy seeks to promote public understanding of the role the arts play in building a quality community, working as a partner and collaborator with artists, arts alliances, and supporters of the arts. The Dairy encourages dialogue and creative exchanges among people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.

Thousands of patrons pass through The Dairy facilities each year, participating in classes, workshops, exhibitions, films and dance, music, and theater performances. They actively develop programs and events, many centered on arts education. Resident organizations place special emphasis on working with young people.

Boulder Ballet Teaches and reaches thousands through performances and outreach at schools, festivals and special events. Partners with Boulder Philharmonic to present "The Nutcracker" each holiday season. Alumni have gone on to dance with ballet companies worldwide. Students perform in the Annual Student Choreographers Showcase, the End of Year Showcase, and Storybook Ballet productions.

- CenterStage Theatre Company Entertains and educates youth from 6 to 18 with three to four productions each year. Some 300 children participate in theater productions, camps or the summer choral program. Recent shows included performances of "Anne of Green Gables," "Les Miserables," "Camelot" and "Aladdin."

- Imagination Makers Theater Company A professional, adult theater company that performs for children in the Denver-Boulder area. Each year the program reaches 175 to 180 schools and thousands of young people, many of who are low-income and participate in free or reduced lunch programs. Productions explore tough issues such as homelessness and hunger.

- Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet Offers a training ground for both young and adult dancers, identifies and nurtures individual strengths and hosts a comprehensive ballet program to students age 3 through 18 and open community classes to adults of all ages and abilities. Offers free performances in schools, donates tickets to at-risk families and underserved communities.

- The Parlando School for the Arts Many of Parlando's more than 600 students receive tuition assistance, and teachers provide classes and activities in local schools. Youth concerts entertain at retirement communities. "Broadway in Boulder," a New York conservatory-style studio teaches vocal instruction and musical theater classes.

The Boedecker Foundation supports The Dairy Center for the Arts missions of providing the Boulder community diverse opportunities to create, learn and participate in high quality performing and visual arts experiences.
Category: Family & Community Development, Youth Development