SCFD to award metro area cultural champions with 2024 Rex Morgan Awards
The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) will recognize top cultural contributors at the SCFD Block Party & Awards on June 5, 2024 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at SCFD’s headquarters in Denver. Since 1998, SCFD has celebrated cultural champions of the district with the biennial Rex Morgan Awards. Named for Rex Morgan, without whom the SCFD would not exist, these awards seek to honor his memory by recognizing local leaders and cultural organizations in lifetime leadership, civic engagement and innovative partnerships.
“The Rex Morgan Awards are an important SCFD tradition that give us a chance to honor the cultural leaders and organizations who work tirelessly to champion arts, culture and science in our seven-county district,” said SCFD Board Chair, Jacki Cooper Melmed.
The Rex Morgan Award for Lifetime Leadership: George Sparks has served as the President/CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science since 2004. A lifetime champion of arts, culture and science, his leadership has helped the museum expand its impact and accessibility to the community through collaborative partnerships, mobile programs, and more. Sparks’ passion is public policy, particularly around science and education. He is a member of the Colorado Forum, Colorado Concern, and is on the Boards of Colorado Education Initiative, Colorado Business Round Table, Colorado Music Hall of Fame, Denver Council of Foreign Relations and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. George is the founder of the Institute for Science & Policy, a program of the Museum. George Sparks’ advocacy and dedication to the sector has enriched our cultural landscape for generations to come.
The Rex Morgan Award for Civic Engagement & Volunteerism: Renee Fajardo is an author and cultural activist who has spent the last 35 years preserving and promoting the Latino culture of Colorado. She has been on the board of the Colorado Folk Arts Council for 20 years and is the current board chair of the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council. In addition to her work as director of MSU Denver’s Journey Through Our Heritage program, Fajardo has dedicated countless volunteer hours to uplifting Latino youth, sharing multicultural stories, and creating opportunities for exposure to diverse arts and culture experiences throughout the metro area. Her many volunteer accomplishments and commitments have amplified Latino voices throughout the district, bringing attention to an important aspect of our community’s culture.
The Rex Morgan Award for Innovative Partnerships & Regional Cooperation: Motus Theater’s mission is to create original theater to support community conversation on critical issues of our time. By using the power of art to build alliances across diverse segments of the community, Motus Theater presents multimedia performances through the lens of race and class. Current performances include auto-biographical monologues with leaders on the frontlines of violence and oppression in the U.S., putting them center stage as the protagonists in the American drama. Motus Theater’s uniquely collaborative performances and projects have helped our community become more open-minded, empathetic and connected.
“We are proud to recognize George Sparks, Renee Fajardo and Motus Theater with Rex Morgan Awards as thanks for their efforts to provide culture for all right here in the Denver metro area. Each honoree’s leadership, civic engagement and innovation is inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating them in June,” said SCFD Executive Director, Deborah Jordy.
SCFD collects $86.2 million in sales and use tax revenue in 2023, the highest recorded revenue in the organization's history
In fiscal year 2023, SCFD’s total sales and use tax revenue was $86.2 million, the highest recorded revenue in SCFD’s history! This amount is a 0.48% increase from fiscal year 2022. As a result, $84.9 million in total grants was distributed to nonprofit arts, culture and science organizations across the Denver metro area last year.
Governor Polis Proclaims Feb. 21 - Mar. 21, 2024 Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Month
In celebration of Culture for All, Governor Jared Polis has proclaimed February 21 – March 21 Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Month! Organizations benefitting from SCFD funds create an unparalleled level of access to arts, culture and science for Colorado residents, offering thousands of free and discounted activities each year. You can help us celebrate by sharing why you love SCFD and our funded organizations with #SCFDMonth2024 all month long.
Save the date- SCFD Day at the Capitol
Save the date! On February 21, 2024, SCFD and its funded organizations will take over the Colorado State Capitol once again. Arts, culture and science will fill the halls throughout the morning as we raise awareness of the district and its mission to provide culture for all in the Denver metro area. Stay tuned for more information!
SCFD approves $14.9 million in grants to Tier III organizations
At the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District’s (SCFD) September Board meeting, the Board of Directors approved Resolution No. 23-07 (pdf), releasing $14,919,058.34 to Tier III organizations across the seven-county district.
Thanks to district residents, one penny of every $10 spent in the district supports arts, culture and science programming provided by a range of nonprofit organizations. Each of SCFD’s seven counties receives a share of the tax collected, and volunteer County Cultural Councils make funding recommendations based on their county’s funding priorities. Based on these recommendations, SCFD made more than 500 general operating and project support grants to Tier III organizations across the district such as the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Evergreen Jazz Festival, HawkQuest, Pop Culture Classroom and Su Teatro.
The 2023 funds will be distributed per each county’s annual funding plan. Each county’s distribution is based on the sales tax collected in its jurisdiction. The amounts per county are as follows:
- Adams: $2,635,755.69
- Arapahoe: $2,855,660.10
- Boulder: $1,423,720.91
- Broomfield: 388,763.07
- Denver $3,821,829.11
- Douglas $1,536,142.63
- Jefferson $2,257,186.89
This funding cycle will provide funding for the first time to the following Tier III organizations:
- Feel the Beat
- Tunas Mekar
- SeriesFest
- Cal-Wood Education Center
- City of Louisville- Louisville History Museum
- Rocky Mountain Youth Musicals
- Carousel of Happiness, Inc.
- Handweavers Guild of Boulder
- Roshni
- NoBo Art District
- Society for Creative Aging
A full list of Tier III organizations funded by the SCFD can be found here.