FORT COLLINS, Colo., May 9, 2022 – Pianos About Town, a program that brings local art and spontaneous music to the streets of Fort Collins, today announced the artists selected to paint pianos in 2022. Twelve of 13 artists are new to the program this season.
Local artists selected to paint pianos in 2022 are Becca Black, Hannah Call, CM Canino, Ciera Dykstra, Monika Lea Jones, Athena Koss, Cheng Li, Holly McQuinn, Kris Barz Mendonça, Rachael Pitchford, Makari Roehrkasse, Snail Candy Arts, and Aerica Raven Van Dorn.
“We’re excited to welcome our returning and many new artists to this program,” said Ellen Martin, Visual Arts Administrator for the City of Fort Collins. “We received a record number of applications this year and are pleased with the diversity of styles and artist experience selected as part of the City of Fort Collins’ RFP process.”
Outdoor summer painting will start May 11 at the Art in Action tent on the south side of Fort Collins’ Old Town Square.
Kris Barz Mendonça is a first-time artist with the Pianos About Town program. Mendonça says the pianos were one of the first things he noticed when he moved to Fort Collins from Brazil.
“I feel connected to the initiative of the Pianos About Town project because art in public spaces is one of the ways you can make urban areas more community oriented,” said Mendonça. “At the same time, art can be visually appealing or thought provoking, being able to make people learn about our past or wonder about the future of society.” Mendonça uses a lighthearted colorful style, friendly characters and storytelling to explore a range of topics.
Mendonça will paint “The Universe in a Piano Shell,” a concept that explores the human desire to explore the universe. Mendonça will use a comic-inspired style and narrative to depict Fort Collins and the universe.
Mendonça concept image:
Cheng Li learned to play piano as a young child.
"I remember riding my little sky-blue bike down to my piano teacher’s house for my weekly piano lessons.” said Li. “From then on, music has been the one constant in my life. When I moved overseas from Japan to the U.S. and lost my spoken language, music was the one language that stayed with me. Music was there for me when I felt lost without my voice.”
“This project called out to me because it married two of my passions: music and art,” said Li. “When I was designing this piece, my focus was to create an inviting and fun design to attract people to play the piano. Whether a new player, a seasoned player, or just a passerby, I want to share my love of music and art with them through this project.”
Li also played a painted piano on her first visit to Fort Collins.
“I spotted a painted piano and sat down to play,” said Li. “In that moment, playing on the beautiful piano under the dappled shade of an aged tree, I felt at home in this new place. I hope that through my art, I can help create a similar magical moment for someone else strolling through the town.”
Li will paint “Whimsical Music Machine,” a concept that reimagines the internal mechanisms of a piano. Instead of strings and hammers, this piano is powered by gears and pipes. The whimsical musical machine grows rainbows and plants, and the world is inhabited by colorful creatures who call the piano their home.
Li concept image:
Pianos About Town brings local art and spontaneous music to the streets of Fort Collins. Pianos About Town started in 2010 as a collaboration among Bohemian Foundation, the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places program and the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority. Community members watch as local artists transform donated pianos into public art. In 2018, the program celebrated its 100th painted piano.
Scattered among 20 locations across town in the summer, and six locations in the winter, the completed pianos offer surprise interruptions of color and music across Fort Collins. The whimsical pianos beckon to passersby and invite them to make and listen to music together.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., January 25, 2022 – Fort Collins tops national rankings for best places to live. Locals even nicknamed it “the Choice City.” But many local organizations know that it is not a choice city for everyone.
Local nonprofits, schools and government units are using new grants to act on these issues and more. Bohemian Fund grants from Bohemian Foundation support organizations in their work to make Fort Collins a more equitable place. Each organization can apply to receive a grant up to $30,000.
Last month 36 organizations received grants totaling $587,000. Some highlights include.
The next chance to request a grant is coming up. The application opens Jan. 27 and closes Feb. 24. Find out how to make a grant request during a workshop Jan. 25, Jan. 26 or Feb. 1. Register at BohemianFoundation.org/bohemian-fund/workshops-applicant-support. A group of community reviewers and Bohemian Foundation staff selects applicants for awards.
Click here for a complete list of organizations that received grants last month:
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation supports local, national and global efforts to build strong communities. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.
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FORT COLLINS, Colorado, December 6, 2021- Pianos About Town, an interactive public art program in Fort Collins, announced today that it is seeking artists or artist teams to paint or artistically decorate pianos in 2022.
The program is looking for diversity in artwork styles and concepts, with a preference for emerging artists and new and exciting ideas. Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $1,000. To apply, artists must submit a letter of intent and concept rendering. The application deadline is Feb. 1 before 4 p.m. MST. A City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places committee selects artists each year. For further information and to apply, visit fcgov.com/art-calls.
The program will offer two virtual sessions to provide resources for potential applicants. During the first session, potential applicants will hear a presentation about the application process and will have opportunities to ask questions. The second set of virtual sessions are one-on-one meetings during which program staff will work with artists to review their applications and answer questions. Neither session is required in order to apply.
Pianos About Town is a public art initiative that provides paid work to local visual artists, gives the public the opportunity to observe these artists work in real time, showcases the work of artists throughout town, and brings opportunities for spontaneous musical expression to the streets of Fort Collins.
The original inspiration for Pianos About Town comes from British artist Luke Jerram, who created a 60-piano installation that toured the world, stopping in New York City in June 2010. Pianos About Town also was inspired by a similar project on Denver’s 16th Street Mall. The first pianos were placed in Downtown Fort Collins in 2010.
Pianos come from donations made by community members looking for a new home for their used instruments. Pianos are picked up, free of charge, from their previous homes and brought to a storage area where they are cleaned, tuned, prepped for painting, and readied for the outside elements. After that, the painting begins. Each selected local artist spends approximately two weeks painting their piano in downtown Fort Collins, outdoors in a public location when weather permits. Once painted, each finished piano enters into rotation at Pianos About Town locations throughout Fort Collins. Area businesses play a key role in the success of the project by “adopting” the painted pianos and covering them during inclement weather.
Pianos About Town is a collaboration among Bohemian Foundation, the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 9, 2021 – Students from 20 middle and high schools in Poudre and Thompson School Districts participating in the Give Next youth philanthropy program capped off the school year by awarding $105,204 to 36 Larimer County nonprofits.
Give Next is a school-based youth philanthropy program designed to provide middle and high school students with experience in philanthropic giving. While schools transitioned to online learning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, participating classes continued efforts to learn about and raise money for Larimer County nonprofits.
Give Next is a school-based youth philanthropy program designed to provide middle and high school students with experience in philanthropic giving. Despite a year of continued challenges and disruptions brought about by COVID-19, participating classes carried out the program while shuffling through a mixture of remote, hybrid and in-person learning.
“We celebrate the students and teachers who demonstrated their commitment to our community by adapting Give Next to their virtual, remote learning realities,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs director. “They found new, creative ways to connect with nonprofits during a challenging time and supported many organizations at the center of our community’s COVID-19 response.”
Through the program, local businesses, foundations and individuals become classroom donors by providing each participating school with $5,000 to award to Larimer County nonprofits. Many of the students from participating schools also complete their own fundraisers to add to the $5,000 grant amount provided by donors. This year, students raised $5,204 to accompany the $100,000 provided by donors. Throughout the year, students design and manage their own grantmaking programs. Students work together to identify community needs, choose a focus area, create their own mission statement, research nonprofits, volunteer, conduct site visits, review grant applications and make funding decisions. At the end of the school year, students award grants to selected nonprofits. Through the process, Give Next enables students to experience the power of teamwork and the impact they can have on their community.
Since the program’s inception in 2012, more than half a million dollars has been awarded to Larimer County nonprofits—$595,000 of which was provided by classroom donors and nearly $85,000 of which was raised by Give Next students. Every donor dollar goes directly to student grantmaking.
For more information about becoming a Give Next classroom donor or about participating in the program, contact Jodie Riesenberger at 970-221-2636 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Click here to view the full list of 2020-2021 Give Next grant recipients.
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation supports local, national and global efforts to build strong communities.
Bohemian Foundation provides management support for Give Next.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., June 2, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced the creation of the Bohemian Fund, a responsive grantmaking program which combines and expands upon two of Bohemian Foundation’s established funds, Pharos Fund and Muse. Bohemian Foundation’s Music and Community programs have teamed up to create the new fund.
For more information about the Bohemian Fund, visit Bohemian Foundation’s website at bohemianfoundation.org/bohemian-fund.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 19, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that it awarded more than $560,000 to 31 local organizations working to encourage and enable youth to thrive, empower individuals and families on the path toward economic stability, and strengthen our vibrant community. Bohemian Foundation awards Pharos Fund grants twice every year. Since its inception in 2001, Bohemian Foundation has awarded $21 million dollars in Pharos Fund grants to a variety of organizations serving the Fort Collins area.
“We're pleased to support organizations making an impact in our community,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs Director. “These Pharos Fund recipients demonstrate understanding of the community need and produce measurable outcomes through their work.”
Pharos Fund is a responsive grantmaking program of Bohemian Foundation that makes awards up to $30,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government units. A committee comprised of Bohemian Foundation board members and community reviewers selects grantees through a competitive application process.
Click here to view the full list of Spring 2021 Pharos Fund recipients.
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., April 7, 2020 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that applications are being accepted for the spring 2021 Muse grant round. Muse is a responsive, competitive grant program offered by Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs.
Muse provides support to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus, or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards of up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align primarily with one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live music.
Muse and Bohemian Foundation’s other responsive grantmaking programs continue to operate along scheduled timelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation will look for grant applications that meet Muse goals and guidelines. In addition, the Muse grant application asks organizations to describe their contingency plans if they request support for in-person gatherings that may not be possible due to COVID-19.
Bohemian Foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on April 28.
For more information or to apply for a grant, visit Bohemian Foundation’s website at bohemianfoundation.org/music-programs/muse.
About Bohemian Foundation
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., Feb. 22, 2021 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that it awarded $96,000 to nine organizations working locally to strengthen community through music.
Muse provides grants to organizations that have popular contemporary music as their primary focus or that have a program that centers on popular contemporary music. Through Muse, Bohemian Foundation makes awards up to $20,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Larimer and Weld Counties. Applications are accepted twice per year. Funding requests must align with at least one of Bohemian Foundation’s Music Programs goals: to provide youth with encouragement and opportunities to express themselves through music; to help musicians and music-related businesses grow and develop; and to increase performances of live contemporary music.
Click here to view the full list of Fall 2020 Muse recipients.
Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for Muse grants again in spring 2021. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grant making programs and special initiatives.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., December 7, 2020 – Bohemian Foundation today announced that it awarded more than $570,000 to 41 local organizations working to encourage and enable youth to thrive, empower individuals and families on the path toward economic stability, and strengthen our vibrant community. Bohemian Foundation awards Pharos Fund grants twice every year. Since its inception in 2001, Bohemian Foundation has awarded $20-million dollars in Pharos Fund grants to a variety of organizations serving the Fort Collins area.
“Our community has evolving needs,” said Sara Maranowicz, Bohemian Foundation’s Community Programs Director. “The organizations and programs funded through Pharos Fund are using data to implement creative responses to changes in our community.”
Pharos Fund is a responsive grantmaking program of Bohemian Foundation that makes awards up to $30,000 to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government units. A committee comprised of Bohemian Foundation board members and community reviewers selects grantees through a competitive application process.
Click here to view the full list of Fall 2020 Pharos Fund recipients.
Bohemian Foundation will begin accepting applications for the next Pharos Fund round on Dec. 15, 2020. The foundation will accept applications until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2021. Visit BohemianFoundation.org for more information.
Bohemian Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2001. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bohemian Foundation works to empower citizens and impact communities through its responsive grantmaking programs and special initiatives.
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FORT COLLINS, Colo., October 15, 2020 – Sonic Spotlight, a new northern Colorado music showcase and competition, has announced the lineup for its inaugural run this fall. The lineup features eight solo artists and bands representing genres including indie, electronic, alternative, folk and pop.
Below is the 2020 Sonic Spotlight lineup featuring talent selected from a field of more than 50 submissions.
Hotel WiFi, Windsor, Colorado (alternative, lo-fi)
Describing their style as "genre-queer," Hotel WiFi pulls influence from all sides of the musical spectrum to create beautiful and meaningful songs inspired by artists including Nick Drake, Modern Baseball, Xiu Xiu and Owl City.
Julia Kirkwood, Windsor, Colorado (singer-songwriter)
Bubbly and infectious but grounded in soulful understanding and bold self-revelation, 14-year-old singer-songwriter Julia Kirkwood’s music merges pop with hints of folk, rock and electronica.
Lasaylo, Greeley, Colorado (electronic, future bass)
A junior at UNC, Lasaylo, aka Bennett Mueller, started producing about a year ago and continues to explore the realms of mystical music and experimental electronic music.
Macy Warner, Fort Collins, Colorado (singer-songwriter)
Macy Warner’s writing is brutally vulnerable, and when combined with her sultry voice and depth of her Baritone Ukulele, she crafts a mesmerizing song.
Miranda Fling, Fort Collins, Colorado (indie pop, folk)
Inspired by sometimes unwanted feelings, innermost desires and the little moments of her life, Miranda Fling’s introspective indie pop explores the complexities of emotions and love.
Noah Orlowski, Berthoud, Colorado (indie)
Inspired by the music of artists including Elliott Smith and Tom Waits, Orlowski writes songs about loneliness, rejection, death and depression while playing homemade instruments into a second-hand podcast microphone.
People in General, Fort Collins, Colorado (pop, jazz)
This Fort Collins trio fuses elements of math-rock, bedroom pop, jazz and funk to deliver fun and high energy performances weaving complex sonic textures into their compositions.
TX2, Fort Collins, Colorado (punk, hip-hop)
Best known for his fast chopper flow and punk rock style, Evan Thomas, aka TX2, aims to bring true punk rock attitude into the hip-hop scene.
These eight acts will work with industry experts and creative peers to prepare for two rounds of competition. The first showcase will feature all eight participants and will air live at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 on the radio at 105.5 The Colorado Sound, and will be streamed online at coloradosound.org and kcsufm.com. The second round of competition will feature three finalists who will debut music videos as part of an online showcase on Dec. 10 on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/1055TheColoradoSound.
A panel of experienced industry professionals will weigh in to determine which artists advance and, ultimately, who is crowned winner of Sonic Spotlight 2020. The radio and online showcases are free and open to all music fans. For more information visit sonicspotlight.org.
About Sonic Spotlight
Sonic Spotlight is designed as an annual showcase for the region’s up-and-coming musicians, and is supported by Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 105.5 The Colorado Sound and Bohemian Foundation. The program provides emerging artists ages 22-and-under from Larimer and Weld counties with an opportunity to work with industry experts, connect with creative peers, receive radio airplay, create professional music videos, win prizes and level up their music.
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