Mission Statement

The Mission of the NoBo Art District is to enrich and advance the arts in Boulder through educational activities and engagement that promote the role of artists and creatives in our community.

Membership is open to all – individuals, artists, creative businesses and patrons of the arts. Our signature event, NoBo First Friday Artwalk takes place in many locations around North Boulder and beyond. The NoBo Art District supports all forms of creative expressions and the collective effort to connect with and build community. New and returning members are welcome!

Who we are:

The NoBo Art District is an inclusive, grassroots, community-focused organization dedicated to promoting artists and creative businesses located along Broadway and the adjoining neighborhoods in north Boulder, Colorado. The NoBo area is characterized by upscale, mixed-use new urbanism, high-end restaurants and shops, and a mix of funky, artist-friendly warehouses. The NoBo Art District creates opportunities for artists to connect with each other and the broader community promoting engagement through art, education and events. To read about the history of NoBo Art District and its founders please visit our FAQS page.

What we do:

  • Create a dynamic and supportive environment for Boulder’s artists by sponsoring First Friday events, hosting open meetings and connecting with artists outside our area.
  • Fulfill the need for a sense of community, and connection by hosting art projects like the PLACE Project,  NoBo Little Libraries and the Piano Project in our neighborhoods.
  • Initiate a public arts program through place-making and public engagement, creating a vital street-scape enlivened by sculpture, lighting and other art installations.

Thanks to the generous funding from our Sponsors. Our projects are funded (or funded in part) by grants and support from the Boulder Arts Commission and the Boulder County Arts Alliance.

Words Describing North Boulder from Community Members:

Alive • First Friday Art • active • bikers • artists’ haven • gritty • excitement • beautiful, radiant, dramatic light • innovative • creative spirit • casual atmosphere • cauldron of opportunities • community • contemporary • crossroads • contrasts in new and old • urban • off beat • potential • developing open opportunities • scrappy • vintage • good restaurants • inclusive • individualistic • inviting • less crowded • unique to our city • multi-dimensional • old, but so NEW! • new restaurants, shops • old strip mall • quirky • really needs some public ART!

What a Journey!

We gratefully thank you for your past commitments of time, energy, and financial support. The NoBo Art District is an inclusive, grass-roots, community-focused arts organization whose Mission is to:

“Enrich and advance the arts in Boulder through educational activities and engagement that promote the role of artists and creatives in our community”.  

Just a few of the goals we accomplished:

  • IT”S OFFICIAL! The NoBo Art District received official creative district designation from the City of Boulder!
  • Received 501(c)(3) IRS Determination, 100% of your donation is tax deductible!
  • Recognized by Expedia Travel as a place to explore in Boulder, one of the top artistic towns in America: https://viewfinder.expedia.com/features/americas-artistic-towns/
  • Installed our new Welcome Mural in NoBo, painted by Christopher Warren
  • Completed a study for the feasibility of forming a NoBo Business Improvement District
  • Received one of 10 Operational Grants from the City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture
  • Received a Boulder County Arts Alliance project grant for tents, lighting and signage to expand artist presence on First Friday
  • Received the highly competitive and prestigious Colorado Creates Grant from Colorado Creative Industries
  • Organized dozens of events and exhibits including our Annual NoBo Group Show and our long-running event the NoBo First Friday Artwalk.

Just wait until you see what we have planned next!

You helped make this happen!  THANK YOU!

Board of Directors

Lisa Nesmith, President

Jeff Hiller, Treasurer

Barbara Yates Beasley, Secretary

Karen Dombrowski-Sobel, Board Member

Michael Deragisch, Board Member

Karen Lester, Board Member

Paul Morrison, Board Member

Jerry Shapins, Board Member

Christopher Warren, Board Member

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I participate on a First Friday? Can I show my work with another NoBo Artist on First Friday?

Please contact us at NoBoArtDistrict@gmail.com, and we can help you either open your studio for the first time, join another NoBo artist or find a First Friday venue. You can show your work at another artist’s studio or gallery. You must be a member of the NoBo Art District to run an ad in our First Friday group ad or listing on the on the map.


How do I join the NoBo Art District?

Visit NoBoArtDistrict.org/membership for information about our different levels of membership.

Where is the NoBo Art District?

The NoBo Art District is located north of downtown Boulder along two visual corridors:  North and south along Broadway from Pearl St. to US 36; east and west along Lee Hill.  NoBo Art District is a collection of 200+ creative industries and professional working artists in private studios.


What is the history of the NoBo Art District?

In the winter of 2009, several local artists & small businesses decided to join together to support local economy & continue the waning First Fridays tradition in Boulder. Due to the 2008 economic recession, downtown real estate closures and Broadway street construction, many artists and small businesses were struggling. Danice Crawford of Marisol Imports got in touch with local civically minded artists Annette Coleman & Carol Garnand and they began reaching out to artists & businesses along the Broadway corridor, hosting monthly meetings, creating a map of linked First Friday art shows, launching publicity, and coining the phrase “The NoBo Nite Out.”

Soon key members of what would become the NoBo Art District came on board to voice their opinions and share their art, including Sally Eckert, Judi Lesta of the Amazing Garage Sale, John Horner of Studio 108, Vivian Jean of the Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery, Carol Schwartz, and many more. With the advice & support of Charlotte LaSasso of the Boulder County Arts Alliance, the NoBo Nite Out transitioned from a collaborative First Friday-focused event into a membership based arts organization, under the leadership of Annette Coleman (president for over 4 years), Lisa Nesmith, Carol Garnand, Diane Stum Fekete & many members of the First Congregational Church.

Today NoBo Art District is a grassroots, artist-centric organization, supporting the 200+ creative businesses and professional artists working in the area. The current NoBo Art District board president Lisa Nesmith and board members, Barbara Beasley, Susan Jotblad, Cindy Mueller, Marco Montanari, Steve O’Bryan and Jeanny Russell continue the tradition of First Friday open studios, art exhibits, and community projects and have taken the organization to new heights of inclusivity. They have the city recognition winning a 2016 Boulder Art Commission Operational Grants for mid-sized orgainzations. Over 70 First Friday events have been presented in the NoBo Art District over the past 7 years, involving hundreds of local & guest artists.

What is an Art District?

Creative industries are an important piece of Colorado’s economy, and many Colorado towns and cities are engaging artists, creative entrepreneurs and local cultural organizations to help vitalize their community and strengthen their local economy. The result: new jobs, animated public spaces, rejuvenated structures and streetscapes, and opportunities to bring diverse people together to celebrate, inspire, and be inspired.


How do I get information about the NoBo Art District and their activities?

Check us out on Facebook or Twitter, go to our website at NoBoArtDistrict.org, or email us at NoBoArtDistrict@gmail.com.   Visit the NoBo Art District from 6-9pm the First Friday of every month to check out our NoBo First Friday Studio Openings.  Or visit the NoBo Art District anytime!  Many artists open their studios or teach classes by appointment.  Please check with your favorite artists to schedule a time that works for both of you.  There are many great restaurants, shops and art in North Boulder, so plan to visit on a First Friday or anytime!


What are the NoBo Art District projects?

First Friday Artwalks, a cooperative event in north Boulder and surrounding art studios, offering a fun, relaxing night out on the town each first Friday of the month.

PLACE Project a series of six murals painted on the sidewalks along Broadway.

‘PaintAbout’ is a unique mini-workshop held at various studios each First Friday. For a $25 class fee you can learn the art of silk painting, collage, pastel, oil or watercolor painting.

NoBo Little Libraries built, installed and stocked with books in North Boulder. These sculptural libraries are created for the exchange of books using the honor system; take a book, artwork or game, enjoy and return, or leave one of your own.

Habitat for Artists a mobile art kiosk where artists engage with the public in art-making and dialog.

Partners and Sponsors – we cannot thank you enough!

Boulder Arts Commission  •  Boulder County Arts Alliance  •  Paul Morrison COLOURS
Rocky Ridge Music Academy  •  BW Construction  •  Bill Snider Studios

Special thanks to our artists – photo and art credits

Chris Brown – Home Page, Jonathan Davis – Little Library Page, Jimmy Descant – Little Library Page, Margaret Donharl – About Page, Paula Gillen – Home Page, Press Page (Joyce Robinson artwork), Exhibits Page (Bill Snyder, Laura Fairbanks, Astrid Paustian, Catherine Carilli, Chris Huang, Jen Herling, artwork), PLACE Project Page (Chris Huang and Lisa Michot artwork), Projects and Community Page (artwork by Joyce Robinson, Katherine Homes, Chris Huang, Lisa Michot, Wendy Khawaja, and Tiffany Miller Russell), Barbara Olson – Artist Calls, Theresa Haberkorn – Donate Page, Maureen Hearty – Little Library Page, Katherine Homes – Membership Page, Joyce Robinson – First Friday Page, Christie Slater – Little Library Page, Bill Snider – FAQ Page.