Deven Shaff | Operations Manager at The Dairy

The Dairy Center for the Arts is Boulder’s growing expression of how the local community serves the inspiration for the best art. In January’s talk, Deven Shaff helped Boulder 2140 unravel the confusion of seeing The Dairy, but not the milk? Actually The Dairy Center for the Arts is a prime hub for the community’s finest arts. Independent films, classes, music, and performing theatre take place in here with a special dedication to sharing the exhibition space, indicates Deven. Thanks to his role as the operations manager, The Dairy presents a leading experience for patrons and the arts every day of the week.

Deven holds a key to The Dairy’s future success. He makes sure it runs smoothly under the three E’s (efficiently, effectively, and economically) and applies himself across a wide spectrum of responsibilities. They include promoting The Dairy’s fabulous spaces for rent, running the box office, and collaborating directly with the executive board. In fact, pieces of his job invent themselves daily, which is especially true when advancing the shared-space model for the arts.

We’re looking at how art can be done within a community, and with a community. Our arts patrons are going to see how this art is operated. They’re going to be a part of that excitement we create at The Dairy

Several newcomers get excited as soon as they enter this center for the arts. It has a curious history; today’s arts hub used to be a milk processing plant called Watts-Hardy Dairy. The early 90s sign of the lost company still hangs by the reception area. It appropriately instills a unique character to The Dairy in the same fashion in which it does art: via the shared-space model. It’s a modern way in which art can progress from its old-fashioned habits that are losing their effects. The center counts fifteen resident organizations and requires Deven to put his best foot forward to prove to the community the three E’s of this untested expression of the arts.

Deven’s introduction to the arts as a professional took place in Colorado, from within the Central City Opera. Pieces of a rewarding career for Deven started to fall in place like clockwork once he was offered to join the Central City Opera. Several internships, one of which took the form of a schedule coordinator, and informational interviews with persons of interest, orchestrated the future towards The Dairy. He placed an emphasis:

They were essential, informational interviews are the best resources for members of Boulder 2140 who aren’t yet convinced of their career path

His career with the Central City Opera taught Deven the skills in order meet the challenges ahead. He’s already faced many since he started three months ago; the arts non-profit world can be tricky. However, rewards have also come about. In three months’ time he’s already received phone calls from art executives around the country interested in The Dairy’s growing success in the shared-space model.

• First thing he does take to the needs of his wife Cori and his
  puppy Hilde
• Checks his emails before entering The Dairy between 8 – 9 a.m.
• Enters The Dairy between 9-10 a.m.
• Works diligently into the evening, some days until 9-10 p.m.
• Prioritizes to return home for quality time with the beloved wife
  and puppy

The Dairy is launching a Capital Campaign within the year. It’s a makeover that the community will look forward to. Virtuosos in the arts, current and future patrons will experience a new Dairy Center for the Arts and still feel the energy of its past. Deven’s been invited to help push the envelope of this campaign and expects that visitors “are going to feel very excited to see the vast improvements of an arts non-profit that is The Dairy.”

Deven’s personal campaign for 2012 will be mixed palette of missions. He’ll invest his energy to attract and retain the best artists, so that they may also produce the best art in The Dairy. In accomplishing this mission he referred multiple times to Google, The Dairy’s neighbor. “They didn’t get big and become the best because they took on mediocre talent. They looked to hire the best.” Deven also wants his shared-space model to gain even more recognition and awareness. On top of it all though, we at Boulder 2140 believe he’ll have his hands plenty occupied by taking care of his soon-to be born baby- just in time for an excellent start to the new year. Congratulations!