Dairy Arts Center

The Dairy Arts Center was founded in 1992 to provide cooperative workspaces for local artists and venues for live performance in Boulder County. Originally owned by the Watts-Hardy Dairy, the building’s transformation from a former milk-processing facility to a thriving multi-disciplinary arts hub for Boulder and beyond is a nationally recognized example of constructive urban development and renewal.

The Dairy’s founders envisioned a community arts center where artists of all genres would create and inspire each other and the greater community. Today, this dream of shared art making is a thriving reality. The Dairy’s 42,000 square foot facility houses disciplines ranging from visual arts, theater, and film to dance and music.

A professional environment complete with art galleries, performance venues, teaching studios, offices, rehearsal spaces, dance studios, and a 60-seat art-house cinema, it is Boulder’s largest multi-disciplinary arts center. The Dairy’s audience spans all ages, backgrounds and ability levels, from young student to seasoned performer and from first-time to seasoned theatergoers. Our audience is inclusive of all ages and backgrounds as well as adults and children of various cultures and levels of ability; our facility is accessible to persons with physical mobility challenges.

Note from the Dairy about ongoing renovations:

The Dairy Arts Center is thrilled to announce our plans to move forward with the final phase of our multi-year renovation. The scope of our capstone project includes:

• Beautiful new West side entrance
• ADA-accessible elevator
• Parents’ Lounge near the Boulder Ballet Studios

These additions will greatly improve accessibility and simultaneously provide a dedicated area for parents and students, which will result in a more spacious hallway area by the Carsen Theater.

Timeline
October 29, 2018 – April 30, 2019

How Will this Impact Audiences?

BUILDING ENTRY: During construction, the only public entrance will be from the front of the building on 26th Street.

CONSTRUCTION HOURS: 7am-5pm weekdays, and additional Saturdays as needed due to weather

PARKING: Due to construction, additional parking spaces directly behind the building will be needed for equipment and supplies. However, our overflow parking lot is located across the street behind the 2501, 2503 and 2505 Walnut Street buildings. This lot has 112 parking spots and is available for Dairy patrons after 5:30PM Monday – Friday and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Any spot in this lot, whether it says visitor or Reserved, is available for Dairy patrons during the listed hours.

ADA ACCESS: ADA parking spots will still be available on the North East side of the parking lot with walkway and ramp access into the building. Whenever possible, ADA guests are encouraged to get dropped off on Walnut St. at the main entrance of the Dairy.