In the spring of 1966 the Boulder Assembly of Arts and Humanities was founded to promote a campaign to create a performing arts center in Boulder County. As early as 1975, efforts were made to obtain and renovate the historic Watts-Hardy building, a 42,000 square foot dairy processing and storage facility, and transform the cavernous space into a cultural arts center. Two failed ballot initiatives in the 70s and 80s slowed down the endeavor.
The current Dairy Center for the Arts finally came to fruition in 1992. As renovations got underway, art groups like Fuse and The Boulder Dance Alliance/Space for Dance became tenants, and Boulder Ballet began holding classes there.
Today more than fifteen resident arts and community service organizations make their home at The Dairy. The Dairy rents, manages and maintains a professional performance space, two theaters, three galleries, several classrooms, a conference room and a spacious lobby.
In addition to events presented by resident and community arts groups, The Dairy produces several of its own programs: Art Happens supports the local schools and other programs for children with workshops, classes and events. The Colorado Community Curator Program showcases individual local, state, national and international artists, and even invites the public to propose ideas for exhibitions. The Dairy's Vis a Vis programming was launched in 2007 and offers diverse art experiences that enhance the visual arts exhibitions through performance art, music, video, panel discussions and workshops. Mad Cow Arts Festival hosts an afternoon of FREE outrageous fun for children with art activities, music, dance, circus arts. The next Mad Cow Arts Festival is planned for summer 2009.
The Dairy Center for the Arts has come a long way since 1992. It remains a unique community treasure, and Boulder's largest multidisciplinary arts center. An average of 300 patrons, students, teachers and artists visit The Dairy everyday, with more than 150,000 guests passing through annually. On any given day, The Dairy is brimming with music, dance, theater and the spirit of creativity, learning and discovery. Help keep the Dairy vibrant and alive by becoming a Dairy member!
