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At CU Boulder, programs like , the CU Art Museum and the Fiske Planetarium aren’t just entertainment; they’re a bridge that connects students, faculty and staff to the larger community through creativity and discovery. From theater under the stars to immersive space views, philanthropy helps power these experiences.��

Performing arts take center stage

CU Boulder is fortunate to have an umbrella organization, , whose mandate is to present performing arts at CU Boulder with campus and community. It supports a wide range of departments and ensembles by providing professional marketing, ticketing and event services, including the Eklund Opera Program, Takács Quartet, Artist Series, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, the College of Music and the Theater and Dance Department.

“CU Presents partner groups present over 500 different events every year in genres including classical and contemporary music, dance, theater, opera and more,” said Andrew Metzroth, executive director for CU Presents.��

One of CU Boulder’s most cherished traditions is the . For nearly 70 years, the festival has shared the beauty of theater with audiences from across the world. This summer, theater lovers will return to the newly renovated Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre to experience Shakespeare’s most beloved plays.

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival is only one part of CU Presents. Their programs provide students, faculty and community members a front row seat to Boulder popular musicals like Oklahoma!, intimate performances from Grammy-winning ensembles like the Takács Quartet and the always popular Holiday Festival. Through the Artist Series, the community and campus can also hear from world-class artists like Renée Fleming and Joshua Bell. To ensure access to all, CU Presents offers more than 300 free performances per year.����

“Our performing arts programs invest in students and audiences,” Metzroth said. “They teach us empathy, cultural literacy and expose us to ideas and experiences we haven't had ourselves.”

Behind the scenes, donor gifts make this magic possible, underwriting artist fees, capital improvements that enhance the audience's experience like lighting and sound equipment, and creating sets and costumes that immerse audiences into the world of theater.��

“When you're giving to the arts, you're giving the gift of expression and wonder to the community at large,” Metzroth added.

Art that sparks connection

Located in the Visual Arts Complex, the CU Art Museum welcomes visitors free of charge. With over 12,500 objects spanning 10,000 years of history, the museum is more than a collection of art. It's a hub for connection and discovery with exhibitions and programs open to all.

"Viewing artwork is a powerful way to connect with others and gain new perspectives and enhance creative problem solving," said Hope Saska, director of the CU Art Museum. "University art museums are laboratories for teaching and learning, and in this context, experiencing artwork firsthand helps faculty and students alike gain new skills in analysis and critical thinking."

Philanthropy also ensures the museum is an inclusive gathering place. Earlier this year, the late Donald and Karen Rigsby contributed a historic $1.9 million to the CU Art Museum to strengthen museum initiatives like the Collection Study Center and provide the museum with financial flexibility.��

Donations also support collection building. For example, the Diversity Acquisition Endowment empowers students to make targeted acquisitions that promote inclusivity in the collection.��

"We often have visitors come in who have never been to an art museum, but who end up leaving with a new love for it,” said Elizabeth van der Marck-Gregg, visitor experience liaison for the CU Art Museum. “This is especially true when we have visitors see their identities represented in our galleries."

By helping the CU Art Museum grow its collections, build its capacity and enable free programming, donors allow the museum to foster belonging, spark dialogue and cultivate community across campus.��

Exploring the stars together

For five decades, the Fiske Planetarium has brought the beauty of space to Earth. Through immersive full-dome films, star talks, laser shows and theatrical productions, Fiske shows how space education is a fun way to explore one’s place in this world.��

“At CU Boulder’s Fiske Planetarium, we’ve seen how space education can ignite a passion for learning,” said Francisco Salas, operations manager for Fiske Planetarium. “By exploring topics like astronomy, planetary science and the search for life beyond Earth, students not only learn about the universe — they learn about collaboration, perseverance and humanity’s shared place in the cosmos.”

In 1975, the Fiske Planetarium opened its doors thanks to a generous donation from Wallace Franz Fiske. Now as the largest planetarium in the Rocky Mountain region, Fiske strives to inspire and engage the community through STEM education. It serves over 16,000 K-12 students and 6,000 undergraduates each year, introducing Colorado students to foundational astronomy concepts and interactive discovery labs. These experiences continue to be made possible by donor support.����

“In total, Fiske is visited by over 75,000 students and members of the public each year,” said John Keller, director for Fiske Planetarium. “The immersive full dome environment transports families and classrooms across the planet and to the far reaches of the cosmos. Giving allows Fiske to continue to update the Fiske experience and engage audiences within our dome, in our exhibit gallery and through public outreach and engagement efforts across the state.”����

Salas added, “Every gift helps us open our doors a little wider — whether it’s for K–12 students experiencing immersive science for the very first time or for CU Boulder students who come to Fiske to deepen their learning, find community and explore new ideas beyond the classroom.”��

Discover cultural experiences that connect communities at CU Boulder

Whether you’re attending a performance, strolling through a gallery or losing yourself in a laser show, CU Boulder’s cultural enrichment programs connect our community to art, science and wonder. Your support ensures these experiences remain accessible and grow, inspiring visitors now and for generations to come.��