Rainbow Dome is opening a community venue for roller skating, entertainment, and art in Denver. Help us raise money for the art, theatre equipment, and renovations!
Denver, CO, US
$26,569
raised of
$25,000 goal
223 donations
-512646minutes left
Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas
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Based in Denver, Rainbow Dome is a queer-centric hub that gathers people across differences to experience joy-in-motion through art and activities. We are a community venue for roller skating, entertainment, and art. We are engaged in a social cohesion project that invites our audience to be unapologetically themselves and be received as such. We center joy, because we believe it is a vital state of being that supports physical and mental health and increases our resiliency.
Join Us!
Rainbow Dome’s goal has been to open a permanent space dedicated to Queer Joy, centered around sober-friendly social gathering. In 2023, Rainbow Dome’s investors acquired 1660 N Federal Blvd, which will be our future home. Located in Sun Valley, the 29,000 sq ft property has the potential to be a catalyst for nurturing social cohesion and creative placemaking along Denver’s growing entertainment corridor connecting Meow Wolf, the Platte River walk, and Empower Field at Mile High (the Bronco Football Stadium).
We are fundraising the final $1M to support the heart of Rainbow Dome. Your support in this crowdfunding campaign is an important piece in reaching our larger goal.
Aerial shot of Rainbow Dome’s future home at 1660 Federal Blvd. Visible behind the building is Empower Field at Mile High.
These funds will support the inaugural art installation, theatrical audio/visual equipment, and modular seating and stage platforms. These elements are essential to our core programming, producing events that invite our audience to experience joy-in-motion:
Theatrical equipment to support the artistic practice of DJs, music, sound, film and performance artists, including vogue/kiki balls, experimental dance, and more.
Large-scale visual art installations that capture our audience's imagination and create a portal to another world. Funds would be used for materials and artist fees for local artists to contribute to the project.
Concept sketch of Rainbow Dome’s roller skating rink/music venue in the lower level. Text reads with image representations: Skate Rental & Concessions Booth; Music Venue live music & DJ’s; Custom art curtain spanning entire west wall helps with noises control, can be adjusted in different ways.; Mobile stage set can be set up anywhere in rink; Custom bench seating with cubbies for shoes; Patterned carpeting a nostalgic nod to the classic rink experience; Support beans covered in soft protective sculptures; Roller Rink Hardwood maple floor perfect for skating and dancing on
Need for Respite
Rainbow Dome formed out of a need for a social space that fosters joy, silliness, and play while being accountable to the diverse needs and desires of our equally diverse communities. Our audience shares experiences of intersectionality and marginalization within the dominant culture of the US, and includes people who identify as Queer (LGBTQIA+); Black, Brown, & Indigenous; disabled and neurodivergent; and artists and creatives. Rainbow Dome addresses the problems of isolation and loneliness and the mental and physical health inequities for our audience by creating a social space that facilitates authentic connections while being a refuge from anti-queer and anti-black hate and violence. Our greatest strength is that we are world builders. Through artmaking, compassion, creativity, laughter, and silliness, Rainbow Dome believes we can collectively facilitate a future that is more playful and just.
Impact
Since 2021, Rainbow Dome has been hosting pop-up installations and events throughout the Denver metro area. Rainbow Dome has been commissioned by Meow Wolf for a temporary art installation as part of their Vortex music festival and Adams County to co-host their annual Pride Festival. Throughout 2022, Rainbow Dome held a monthly zodiac-themed skate party at the Rollerdome, featuring artwork to represent each zodiac sign. We also host a pop-up roller rink with free skate rentals as part of the Sun Valley Night Market under the Colfax Viaduct. Rainbow Dome’s ongoing project, the Queer & Trans Ancestors Portrait series, consists of plush, acrylic portraits honoring and remembering our ancestors.
Pop-up squad member Juice helping a little skater use one of Rainbow Dome's skate aids on the rink at Sun Valley Night Market under the Colfax viaduct. Photo by Hillary Thomas.
134+ Local Vendors (small businesses and sole proprietors) who have earned over $58,500 at our events
189 Pop-up Squad members who put in over 1073 hours of sweat and energy
Timeline
August 2023: Investors purchase 1660 Federal Blvd, the future home of Rainbow Dome
January 2024-March 2025: Design Phase. THE5WH designs the renovations, including identifying the strategy and approaches to create a just and inclusive design.
April 2025-March 2026: Permitting & Procurement Phase. We will be crossing our fingers and toes for the City and County of Denver to review and approve our construction documents, while also starting to purchase the construction materials.
March 2026: Construction & Art Fabrication: Anticipated start of construction and the beginning of art fabrication.
Fall 2026: Rainbow Dome Grand Opening (maybe in time for Halloween!?!?!)
Connect With Us!
Want to learn more and get involved with Rainbow Dome?
Share this project with others who are passionate about more spaces for queer joy and equitable world-building
Contact kate@rainbowdome.com for more info on giving and sharing!
Drag performer Saline Cody 666 poised on her shoulders with her legs swirling in the air. Her hair is bright green spikes to match her tight green stretch top and slime decorated tights. Photo by Annie Pants Photography.
Rewards
Featured
Make a Permanent Mark
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount over $20.00 is tax-deductible.
Be a permanent part of our new home! Donor names will be part of an art installation that is still being designed.
Postcard
Donate $5.00 or more
Amount over $1.00 is tax-deductible.
We want to send you a little snail mail love! Receive a Rainbow Dome postcard in the mail.
Shout Out!
Donate $10.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Rainbow Dome wants to shout your name from the rooftops, so we'll include you in our daily Instagram donor shoutout story.
Community Coupon Book
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
We asking our community to contribute to a coupon book of local discounts. Receive a digital copy.
Astrology Sticker Pack
Donate $30.00 or more
Amount over $15.00 is tax-deductible.
Receive three of Rainbow Dome's zodiac stickers, one for each of your signs: Sun, Moon, & Rising.
Rainbow Dome Socks
Donate $35.00 or more
Amount over $16.00 is tax-deductible.
Look spiffy in Rainbow Dome socks! We're rolling out a new special colorway just for donors.Mock up of Rainbow Dome socks with rainbow stripes.
Wear a Rainbow Dome T-Shirt
Donate $75.00 or more
Amount over $20.00 is tax-deductible.
Receive a limited edition, donor exclusive t-shirt.Mock up of t-shirt with green slime lettering that reads "Rainbow Dome's Silly Shirt" with a snail rollerskating across the middle.
Sock & T-shirt Combo
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $36.00 is tax-deductible.
Can't decide between the socks or the t-shirt, get both with this combo pack!
Honor a Name
Donate $150.00 or more
Amount over $60.00 is tax-deductible.
Your name on a pair of skates that are part of the skate rental collection housed at Rainbow Dome
Art Rental
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $60.00 is tax-deductible.
Rent up to 10 of Rainbow Dome's wood cutouts for a 48 hour period; donor required to pick-up and drop off in Denver at a mutual agreed upon time; subject to availability
Feature Video
Donate $600.00 or more
Amount over $200.00 is tax-deductible.
We'd like to do a video sponsor shout out on our social media! We'll make a 30 second video reel and feature it on our social media, YouTube channel, and newsletter!
Queer Ancestor Portrait
Donate $1,500.00 or more
Amount over $300.00 is tax-deductible.
Submit a Queer Ancestor photo to add to Rainbow Dome's portrait series. Rainbow Dome will create a laser cut felt portrait that is part of the permanent collection and you receive a smaller version as a keepsake.
Jingle Joy
Donate $2,500.00 or more
Amount over $500.00 is tax-deductible.
Receive your own special jingle (max 30 seconds) created by Jenée Donelson/Machete Mouth
Artist Designed Skates
Donate $5,000.00 or more
Amount over $1,000.00 is tax-deductible.
Sponsor an artist to bling out a pair of skates that are part of the skate rental collection housed at Rainbow Dome
