To: Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Maia Yates, Staff Liaison
Title
Castle Rock Arts and Culture Foundation Update
Body
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Executive Summary
The Castle Rock Arts and Culture Foundation continues to build its operational capacity, community presence and fundraising tools to support arts and culture in Castle Rock. Recent efforts have focused on insurance, donor outreach, branding and opportunities to attract outside funding for future public art projects.
The board continues to research general liability and Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance options and assess the Foundation’s coverage needs. Quotes are being evaluated for coverage, exclusions, deductibles and legal defense provisions, with the goal of selecting appropriate protection for the organization and its volunteer board.
The Foundation has established GiveButter as its fundraising and email outreach platform and used it to distribute its first introductory email. Initial engagement was encouraging, with a 57% open rate and a 29% click-to-open rate. An email sign-up form is now embedded on the Foundation’s website, allowing interested community members to subscribe directly. Website project information has also been updated to help visitors learn about current initiatives and opportunities to contribute.
Work continues on the Foundation’s logo and branding package, with completion anticipated by the end of November. The board plans to introduce the new branding alongside a year-end fundraising appeal, potentially around Giving Tuesday, to build awareness and invite community support.
The Foundation submitted a grant request to the Indigo Oak Fund for the proposed Crystal Valley Interchange roundabout sculpture project. The board selected this opportunity because of its potential visibility at a major community entry point near Interstate 25 and emerging commercial development. The location offers a strong opportunity to tell Castle Rock’s story, welcome residents and visitors and demonstrate the impact of community investment in public art. The grant request supports a future project; artwork selection and applicable Town approvals remain ahead.
The board is also exploring ways to expand community participation, including recruiting an additional board member.
Together, these efforts are helping establish the Foundation’s capacity to connect donors, artists, businesses and community partners with opportunities to support a more creative Castle Rock.
No formal Commission action is requested.