Biennial of the Americas 2010
In July 2010, Denver launched the inaugural Biennial of the Americas: a month-long celebration of the culture, ideas, creativity, and people of the Western Hemisphere. Billed as the world’s first “Hemis-faire,” the festival brought together artists, performers, civic leaders, thinkers, cultural organizations, and audiences from across North, Central, and South America.
With hundreds of events taking place throughout the month, the 2010 Biennial invited Denver to experience the Americas through contemporary art, music, performance, public dialogue, family programming, and citywide cultural partnerships. The festival centered on four guiding themes: innovation, sustainability, community, and artistic practices.
Central Exhibition: The Nature of Things
At McNichols, the Biennial presented The Nature of Things, a contemporary art exhibition featuring artists from countries throughout the Western Hemisphere. Curated by Paola Santoscoy, the exhibition brought together newly commissioned projects, site-specific installations, murals, performances, and discussions that expanded on the Biennial’s core themes. The McNichols Building became a dynamic space for art, dialogue, education, and community gathering throughout the month.
Kids Patch: Children’s Creativity Lab
Designed for children ages 5–12, Kids Patch invited young audiences into the Biennial through hands-on creativity, contemporary art, music, performance, graphic arts, and new media. Open throughout July at McNichols, the program included weekday art activities, weekend workshops, video screenings in the Pictoplasma KidsPatch Cinema, the interactive Pictoplasma Color Me! Wall, and a culminating parade through the McNichols Building on the final day of the festival. Nearly 300 children participated in KidsPatch workshops during the month, with many more engaging with the KidsPatch zone.
The Americas Roundtables
The 2010 Biennial also convened The Americas Roundtables, a series of conversations that brought together 57 leaders, dignitaries, and experts from across sectors and the Americas. Held at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and other venues, these programs explored shared challenges and opportunities across the hemisphere, with topics including education, philanthropy, women as drivers of the new economy, health, poverty reduction, trade, energy, and climate change
Citywide Programming
Beyond McNichols, the 2010 Biennial unfolded across Denver through cultural partner events, concerts, film screenings, performances, art walks, exhibitions, lectures, and public programs. More than forty cultural institutions and community partners participated, including museums, galleries, theaters, parks, and civic spaces throughout the city. From MCA Denver and Museo de las Americas to Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, RedLine Gallery, Plus Gallery, and the Art District on Santa Fe, the Biennial offered something to experience nearly every day of July
