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.
“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 & High Country
“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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Organizational Background
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The Cultural Caravan was founded in 2021 in response to the challenges artists and local businesses faced during the pandemic. In that first season, we presented live, COVID-safe concerts at farms, retailers, and restaurants—charging nothing to host businesses and encouraging audiences to support our partners directly. Artists of many cultural backgrounds—including Zimbabwean Afropop, Venezuelan jazz, folk, classical music, and more—were invited to perform with complete creative freedom. Our Artistic Director, an accomplished professional cellist, often shared the stage with featured artists, creating vibrant cross-cultural exchanges.
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Since then, the Cultural Caravan has grown into a thriving year-round organization whose mission celebrates diversity, builds community through music, and connects artists and audiences in meaningful ways. Today, the Caravan boasts a roster of 100+ artists; a growing, faithful audience; and 60+ community partners, including businesses, municipalities, and social service nonprofits.
In just four years, we’ve raised and reinvested over $500,000 by presenting inclusive programming across Boulder and surrounding communities. Our impact continues to grow as we focus on expanding access, developing partnerships, and fostering a rich cultural environment in Boulder.
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Current Programs​
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. On average, ticket buyers spend almost three times that.
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25+ Community Pop-Up Events: Free, intimate performances at schools, parks, public libraries, local businesses, and nonprofit sites. These events are designed to 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.​​
Our MainStage attendance has grown by more than 150% just since last season. February 2025 ticket revenue is already 200% higher than in September 2024, reflecting both audience growth and increasing recognition of the Caravan’s value.
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By the Numbers
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150+ accessible performances presented to date
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100+ artists featured with backgrounds ranging from Zimbabwean Afropop to classical, Venezuelan jazz to Hindustani traditional music
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60+ local business partnerships
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4 municipal partnerships with Broomfield, Erie, Lafayette, and Louisville
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4 social-service nonprofit partnerships with Boulder Food Rescue, Emergency Family Assistance Association, Marshall Together, and Sister Carmen Community Center
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150% audience growth since the 2023/2024 season
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200% revenue increase from ticket sales since September 2024 alone
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$500,000+ reinvested into the community​
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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 Dairy Arts Center, with whom we co-produce our popular series Behind the Music, a concert and conversation series hosted at the Dairy.
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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 Latinx 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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Planning​
Over the next three years, the Cultural Caravan is focused on:
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Building staff capacity by hiring dedicated communications and development staff to meet growing demand and increase community engagement.
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Expanding bilingual outreach and strengthening relationships with Latinx communities in Boulder.
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Implementing monthly appearances at Emergency Family Assistance Association and Sister Carmen Community Center to engage participants facing food, housing, and income insecurity.
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Securing long-term funding through endowment opportunities and expanding individual giving programs.
Our planning efforts are guided by the principles of inclusiveness, sustainability, and artistic excellence, ensuring that the Caravan remains a vital cultural resource for Boulder.
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