Boulder B-Sides is a pop-up art program that activates vacant storefronts and unexpected spaces during the Sundance Film Festival period, spotlighting local art that lives outside the main frame: experimental, innovative, engaging, and genre-bending. Like the B-side of a record, it’s where the hidden gems live. This project supports Boulder’s creative community and demonstrates our identity as a culturally vibrant city, so that visitors and community members experience the artists, makers, and cultural organizations that are central to Boulder’s community and economy. 

 Boulder B-Sides activates vacant downtown commercial spaces during the Sundance Film Festival period, engaging local arts organizations and artists with an international audience. The 2027 Sundance Film Festival will take place January 21–31, 2027. 

Approximately 8 to 10 local artists or arts organizations will receive funding (up to $15,000) to produce public activations in vacant commercial spaces in the Sundance Film Festival footprint. Activation spaces will be available to artists from January 15 to January 31, 2027, with a concentration of activations from January 21, 2027, to January 26, 2027. 

Grant Cycle Details

The application period is open. To get started, click on the “View RFP” button. After reviewing the Request for Proposals document, click on the Grant Portal button to apply.

For reference, please find a PDF version of the application form linked here to view the questions before getting started.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Thanks for your interest in submitting a Boulder B-Sides grant application. Please review our list of frequently asked questions about this grant opportunity.  

Can artists or organizations outside of Boulder County submit a request? 

No, this opportunity is specifically for people that are Boulder County community members. 

Have the vacant commercial spaces in the Sundance Film Festival footprint been identified? Can you release a listing of those spaces? 

We are currently working to secure the vacant commercial spaces and therefore are unable to share any specifics about where they are located, size of the space, or other aspects of the space. We will work to match each activation with a space suited to its scale, so design with some flexibility in mind. 

Can I meet with someone to discuss my idea? 

Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming response to this grant application, we are unable to schedule individual meetings with interested applicants. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Harrison at sharrison@commfound.org. 

I am an individual artist. Do I need to have a fiscal sponsor prior to submitting a grant application? 

No. You do not need a fiscal sponsor before submitting your application. Because we expect a large number of applications, we recommend that you do not spend time securing a fiscal sponsor at this point. If your application is selected, we will work with you on this part of the grant process. 

There is no benefit in the review process to having secured a fiscal sponsor. Applications will be reviewed based on the concept presented. 

Can I submit multiple applications? 

No. Please put forward one grant application for consideration.