More than 100 cultural organizations will unite to offer a series
of public events intended to shine a spotlight on Denver’s thriving
arts scene.
The “Hot DAM: Arts at Altitude” initiative kicks off Sept. 15
with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening premier of
“Refracted Skies.” The Daniel Kellogg piece was commissioned to
commemorate the unveiling of the new Frederic C. Hamilton expansion
to the Denver Art Museum.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper on Wednesday announced the
six-month-long “Hot DAM” initiative, timed to exploit the
international attention expected from the opening of the expansion Oct. 7. The striking angular structure was
designed by high-profile architect Daniel Libeskind.
“Coming out of the restaurant business, I’m always looking for new
ways to partner,” Hickenlooper said at the news conference, held
between the Denver Public Library and the existing Gio
Ponti-designed art museum building.
He cited the expansion as a catalyst to unify and build the city’s
arts-related businesses, which include 120 commercial art galleries
and 180 film-related companies.
The collaborative events will complement the museum’s own
activities, which include a 35-hour grand opening celebration with
tours and family activities.
A million visitors are expected the first year the new building is
open, said Lewis Sharp, director of the Denver Art Museum.
Richard Scharf, president and chief executive of the Denver Metro
Convention & Visitors Bureau, cited Hot DAM’s power to highlight
Denver for the rest of the country.
“Cultural tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments of the
industry,” he said, noting that most cultural tourists stay longer
and spend more money than other visitors. “This will give us an
opportunity to get national and international recognition in the
press.”
A $3 million advertising campaign, launched in May, will help
underscore Denver’s cultural amenities. Last year was Denver’s
best-ever for tourism, with 10.4 million overnight visitors, a 5
percent increase over 2004. A study commissioned by the bureau
found that visitors spent a record $2.43 billion in the city last
year.
The Hot DAM initiative was put together strictly through staff work
at the various organizations, according to Pauline Herrera,
communications and marketing director for the Denver Office of
Cultural Affairs.
“There was no private funding and nothing really being dedicated
out of any budgets,” she said. “It didn’t take a lot of work to
put it together. The website was done through the Denver Art
Museum. We all just sort of pitched in.”
Staff writer John Wenzel can be reached at 303-820-1642 or
jwenzel@denverpost.com.
