Denver’s River North Art District launches RiNo Made Pop-Up program

The RiNo Art District Launches RiNo Made Pop-Up Program

The RiNo Art District has initiated the RiNo Made Pop-Up Program, which provides $5,000 stipends and temporary access to vacant commercial spaces for local artists. This program aims to revitalize empty properties and tackle escalating costs in the area.

By subsidizing short-term leases, the program matches artists with unoccupied retail or office spaces for public exhibitions, installations, and on-site creation. This initiative also offers property owners a new way to showcase their spaces to the public.

Kiah Butcher, programs manager for RiNo Art District, explained, “RiNo Made is our response to artists and developers who struggle with the high costs of retail and gallery spaces. It connects individuals with vacant square footage with creatives seeking opportunities to showcase and market their work through creativity, collaboration, and responsiveness.”

EDENS, a national real estate company with a strong presence in the art district, is the first participant in the program. They have opened their storefront at 2601 Walnut St., Unit 210, featuring work from local artists such as Sam Grabowska, Matt McCall, Navya Mallepeddi, Shadae Hunt, and Chris Bristow.

Thomas Picarsic, managing director of EDENS Western region, stated, “RiNo is known for its creative energy, and we aim to preserve that spirit. Our collaboration with RiNo through this program is another way to support the vibrant culture of this Denver neighborhood.”

Future pop-ups are already in progress, with more property owners partnering with RiNo to finalize upcoming sites. Mortenson, a Minneapolis-based construction company, will also participate in the program.

The RiNo Made Pop-Up will host open studio hours every Friday from 4-8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m., allowing the public to interact directly with the artists and their creations. An Artist Talk event will take place on Friday, Aug. 22, from 6-8 p.m., providing a platform for artists to discuss their practices and goals.

The RiNo Business Improvement District has allocated $25,000 for the pilot year of RiNo Made Pop-Ups, supporting at least two iterations in 2025. If successful, the program may expand to additional sites in the following year.