Nearly half of Americans have received the first dose of the vaccine. The idea of returning to “normal” draws closer every day. In a city as passionate about the arts as Denver, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is: how and when will the city’s art galleries reopen?

Larger galleries, like the Denver Art Museum, are hosting exhibits and programs comparable to their pre-pandemic output. Face masks, timed ticket releases and cleaning procedures remain in place, and this will allow visitors to experience the programs with peace of mind. 

As the pandemic evolves, the museum may be able to resume normal operations soon. The continued activity of important Denver art institutions is thanks to Elevate Denver, a tax-funded bond program that aims to revitalize a wide range of Denver facilities. 

The funds are allocated to help redesign resources “central to the fabric of our city” per the initiative’s website. The bond program will go towards helping the Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens and many other facilities. This initiative will bring these institutions back, not only offsetting the pandemic’s impact but improving them as well. 

While larger art installations can rely on the local government for funding and support, many local galleries are dependent on the artistic community in Denver to stay open. 

NEXT Gallery in Lakewood survives primarily through donations and the support of local communities. Unlike larger installations, NEXT is artist-owned and operated, which gives rising artists the chance to showcase their work. Smaller galleries like NEXT continue to exist due to support from their patrons and the Denver community. 

The Vicki Myhren Gallery at DU has remained open throughout the pandemic by following COVID-19 guidelines. The campus gallery offers entirely virtual visits, making the shows accessible to DU students off-campus and those at increased risk from COVID-19. This flexibility and dedication to local art have made the gallery a mainstay of the DU campus. 

Denver continues to support local artists through traditional funding and local initiatives. While the pandemic continues and everyday life wavers, DU residents are excited to discover the city’s rich artistic community once again. To see a listing of open galleries, visit the Denver Art District’s website.