NoBo Art District

A nonprofit organization

$3,130 raised by 73 donors

31% complete

$10,000 Goal

The NoBo Art District is located on the northern edge of Boulder where independent creatives and small businesses reside in an eclectic neighborhood of upscale, new urbanism and aging warehouses. As an inclusive, grassroots, member based art organization, NoBo is known for its signature event - First Friday. 

In 2024, our nonprofit organization celebrated a vibrant and impactful year, fostering connections, supporting local artists, and enriching the cultural fabric of our community. Here’s a closer look at the highlights:

First Friday Events: Connecting Community and Creativity Over 8,000 visitors joined us for 11 First Friday events, featuring 800 artists in 200 studios and venues across North Boulder and surrounding areas. These gatherings transform North Boulder into a dynamic hub of art and culture.

Opening of NoBo on the Corner: Expanding our reach In November we opened NoBo on the Corner thanks to a partnership with Boulder Housing Partners. Formally the NoBo Little Library, the new Corner space sits at Yarmouth and Broadway and serves as the main offices and community space for the NoBo Art District. 

Public Art: Transforming Shared Spaces NoBo launched a new annual public art initiative in partnership with the Ghadimi Group at Emerald City. 

Dynamic Exhibitions Our galleries, the Bus Stop Gallery and NoBo Art Center, hosted 22 exhibitions showcasing diverse talents. Additionally, the new “NoBo Artisan Gift Shop” at the Bus Stop Gallery opened and now offers local artists increased opportunities for sales and exposure. 

The Boulder Artist Podcast: In its second year, The Boulder Artist Podcast continued to celebrate and promote local artists while exploring the intersection of place and creativity. With 9 new episodes in 2024 (bringing the total to 16), the podcast—hosted by Communications Designer Becca Saulsberry and Artist Kevin Hoth—provided a platform for artists’ voices and stories. 

Goals for 2025

  • Continue Galleries + Programs

  • Improve Marketing + Visibility

  • Grow Membership

  • Improve NoBo as a destination and build more economic vitality

  • Fundraising for sustainability 

  • Developing new Community Benefit Programs with our partners


Testimonials

"For a city with so many artists and so few places to exhibit and sell ones artwork, NoBo is providing a much needed resource. And to see how that resource has grow over the last 10 years is very exciting. I can imagine in another 10 years NoBo will be not only an art hub for Boulder but for the surrounding area as well and a destination for visitors coming to Colorado."
- Bill Snider, NoBo Artist, Bill Snider Studios


"First Friday has become such a great time to really feel a sense of community and to celebrate the arts. On this night, there is a fun, vibrant energy buzzing around all of the various studios. At this time especially, we certainly could all use some fun, vibrant energy. We strongly believe in the healing power of art, even more so when art is created in community".
- Abby Sivy & Cindy Parker, Cofounders, Bohemia an Art Space

"From the moment I contacted The NoBo Art District when I first moved to Boulder four years ago, Lisa and crew went out of their way to support and include my efforts and contributions both as an artist and as a director of a small exhibit space here in North Boulder. I've had the opportunity to witness this same level of community building extended between The NoBo Art District and countless other artists and art organizations.
- Todd Edward Herman, east window gallery

"NoBo accomplishes so much as a small arts organization, including a growing First Friday monthly event, providing resources to emerging artists- like the free mural fence at Emerald, access to a low cost online NoBo sales platform as well as use of two unique art galleries and community spaces. All of these resources are provided to members at a very reasonable membership fee".
- Leah Brenner Clack, Executive Director, Street Wise Arts

"There are few groups that I can think of that play the same role in the community that NoBo does. They are small enough to be personal, yet big enough to elevate their member's voices to new heights. They are approachable enough to not be intimidating, yet official enough to lend a sense of professionalism to any artists associated with their events. You can have a high class wine event at one end of the district, and at the other end fire dancing and a huge drum circle, all on the same night! They offer events for all parts of the Boulder community, and offer tools and support for all types of artists."
- Christopher Warren, Beatnik Prints

Giving Activity

Mission

The Mission of the NoBo Art District is to elevate the arts in Boulder, continue the artistic and economic development of north Boulder, and support and enhance the local community.

We achieve these goals by:

Providing opportunities for artists to enrich and advance their careers.

Continuing to build the NoBo Art District as an artistic and business destination.

Providing the community with events, education opportunities, and creative outlets.

Background Statement

During the recession of 2009, many art venues in Boulder had closed. A scrappy group of artists launched a free event in North Boulder to promote art and creativity. That grassroots response has evolved over 12 years into the NoBo Art District. NoBo received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS in 2016 and in 2017 was recognized by the Boulder City Council as the first Creative District in Boulder. From 2017 - 2019, NoBo's membership grew and in 2019 we opened our own gallery for artists: the NoBo Art Center. Then BBS LLP, a partnership of Thistle Communities and Michael Bosma, engaged NoBo to manage the Gallery at the Bus Stop Apartments, 4895 Broadway. The development team of Thistle Communities and AGR Development is transforming that iconic property (a strip club for 40 years) into a community Art hub and affordable housing development.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

NoBo Art District

Year Established

2009

Tax id (EIN)

46-3239346

Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Organization Size

Small Organization

Address

4929 Broadway Unit #E
Boulder, CO 80304

Service areas

Boulder County, CO, US