Civic Center Night Market (Partner Solicitation)

About This Event

Civic Center Conservancy is launching a new "Civic Center NIGHT MARKET" concept at Civic Center Park in Denver. The Night Market is envisioned as a high‑energy, dynamic, evening food and retail‑centered event that activates the park on three Friday nights in summer and early fall. Each market is expected to feature food trucks, stands, and carts; local beer, wine, and spirits vendors; local artisan retail merchants and craft vendors; a performing arts stage for local talent; and a family and kids activation area. The goal is to attract 3,000–5,000 patrons of all ages (0–99), with a concentration in the 21–45 age range, and to elevate local food and retail small businesses and artisans, particularly from historically marginalized communities. The Conservancy is seeking a partner organization (cultural organization, nonprofit, or local for‑profit company) to co‑create and co‑execute the Night Market. The partner will serve as curatorial director and event planner for the series: leading event design and feel, marketing, layout, vendor and performer curation, vendor application and selection, operational planning, vendor fees structure, and sales tracking. Civic Center Conservancy will handle project management administration, permits and licenses with Denver agencies, operational park needs (fencing, toilets, waste, security, furniture), financial underwriting, and overall marketing and promotion. The Conservancy is committed to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, and aims for high representation of vendors and performers from historically marginalized groups (including women, BIPOC, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities). For 2024, the Conservancy has allocated $20,000 for this event concept, anticipated to cover development, curation, management, and all expenses for one Night Market, including partner fees. They are seeking additional sponsorship and underwriting to fund a second and third night, forecasting a total of about $60,000 to run three Night Markets. Revenue sources may include corporate sponsorships, product sponsorships, vendor fees, and beverage sales; the Conservancy anticipates at least $5,000 per night from vendor fees and beverage sales. Interested partners must be based in Denver or the 6‑county metro area (Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Douglas, Jefferson), be in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, and demonstrate capacity to design, plan, and execute up to three Night Market activations in 2024. They must be committed to amplifying Denver’s quality of life, civic and community engagement, economic vitality, and to elevating marginalized vendors and performers. Applications are to be submitted to activations@civiccenterconservancy.org by 6pm on March 19, 2024, including background information, organizational qualifications, references, licenses, and a proposed budget and revenue‑sharing structure. After review by Conservancy staff and the Community Activation Collaborative, top finalists will be interviewed, with a partner selected by mid‑April and a formal agreement executed by late April, so planning can begin by early May.

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