Located at the corner of Colfax Avenue and Bannock Street, McNichols Civic Center Building opened originally in 1910 as a Carnegie Library, then became home to the Denver Water Board in 1955. In 1999, the building was rededicated as McNichols Civic Center Building in honor of the McNichols family’s contributions to Denver and Colorado. The McNichols Building was host to the 2010 inaugural Biennial of the Americas, the first public cultural event in the space. In 2012 Denver Arts & Venues took over management of the building to continue offering cultural events and programs to Denver citizens and visitors. Also in 2012, the building, along with Civic Center Park, was named a National Historic Landmark.
In 2014 a new cultural plan for Denver, IMAGINE 2020, a strategic vision for arts, culture and creativity, was built. Denver Arts & Venues’ programming for McNichols Building supports IMAGINE 2020 by making arts, culture and creativity inclusive and accessible; by supporting lifelong arts appreciation and participation through inexpensive and free programs; and by encouraging cultural collaboration and cultivating local talent. The Cultural Partner Program offers reduced or free building rentals and additional financial and programmatic support for events and programs that support the vision of IMAGINE 2020.
