About Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry
Cosmic Caravan @ the Velvet Banjo - Biology Fundraiser w/ Matt Makley & Shawn Meek
A FUNDRAISER SUPPORTING MSU DENVER’S TROPICAL BIOLOGY STUDENTS
Join us for a musical performance from Cosmic Caravan, which includes our very own Provost Matt Makley and Professor Shawn Meek, at the Velvet Banjo on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 8 p.m.
This performance (and silent auction) are being held to raise student travel funds for an upcoming study abroad course called Tropical Field Biology. MSU Denver students are not your typical college students-- Many of them work full-time, go to school full-time, and have family commitments. This opportunity to learn about the biodiversity and conservation efforts in Costa Rica helps these students in many ways, but many students simply cannot afford the travel costs. Study abroad experiences not only increase graduation rates but also increase the success of obtaining a job after graduation.
Tickets are available at the door for $10, and will go to this fundraiser.
In addition, there will be a silent auction. If you are interested in donating a service, artwork, or something else, please fill out this donation form below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pJwwAzMX-UqnPPGMyEEyXKDmlDQWOeRMlyfBvRhvCvpURVNWMFdaODdRNzZVREhKNTU5VkExV0ZQVi4u
Colorado 150 Film Festival
CO150 is Colorado's first ever statewide film festival. It will showcase Colorado’s critical role in the growth of the film industry by highlighting the top 150 “Colorado” films of all time – films shot here, set here or made by talent from here. These will be screened across the state in hyper-local and historic theaters, much like a statewide SXSW or Denver’s own UMS. Our aim is to make CO150 a centerpiece of the state’s 150/250 celebrations.
How to claim your free ticket:
- Locate your favorite DENVER-BASED screenings at https://films.colorado150film.com/screenings
- Click the TIME of the screening (in the yellow box) to open the purchase popup
- Click 'Have a discount code or gift card?'
- Use code DPHICO150 to remove the processing fees
- (Optional) Log in or create an account to get your tickets and updates by text
You may order multiple tickets, but we ask you be ready to present one University ID for every two tickets you reserve.
If you are interested in paying for your tickets as a donation to Dphi or Colorado 150 Film Festival, please contact dphi@msudenver.edu!
Join special discussions with MSU Denver professors for:
8/13, 7pm - Dr. Strangelove with Christina Foust
8/25, 7pm - The Hateful Eight with Jasmine Harris
9/6, 2pm - Butch Cassidy with Caleb Cohoe
9/13, 2pm - Things to Do in Denver with Dennis Rudnick
9/20, 2pm - BlacKkKlansman with Wilfredo Alvarez
9/27, 2pm - Red Dawn with Andrea Maestrejuan and Sheila Rucki
Ada Ferrer
Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Ada Ferrer speaks with MSU Denver classes on her books Cuba: An American History and Keeper of My Kin: Memoir of an Immigrant Daughter on September 10th at 2pm.
Due to space limitations, this is a private event. If you would like to request admission, please email dphi@msudenver.edu
Our Team
Founding Director
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Adam J. Graves, PhD, is a philosopher, filmmaker, and founding Director of the Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry at MSU Denver, where he is also Professor in the Department of Philosophy. As the Director of Dphi, Adam has organized and moderated hundreds of events on a wide range of subjects, for a diverse range of audiences and at
Adam J. Graves, PhD, is a philosopher, filmmaker, and founding Director of the Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry at MSU Denver, where he is also Professor in the Department of Philosophy. As the Director of Dphi, Adam has organized and moderated hundreds of events on a wide range of subjects, for a diverse range of audiences and at a variety venues, including the Denver Film Festival, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Sie Film Center, Alliance Française, and the Denver Art Museum.
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Gabriel Grinsteiner loves collaboration, technology, and the humanities. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computational Linguistics and is completing graduate work in Business Analytics. He has been a core member of the Dphi team since the project's inception in 2016, where he leads business process development, project coordination, and s
Gabriel Grinsteiner loves collaboration, technology, and the humanities. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computational Linguistics and is completing graduate work in Business Analytics. He has been a core member of the Dphi team since the project's inception in 2016, where he leads business process development, project coordination, and supervises Dphi's employees. He serves as senator-at-large for MSU Denver's 900+ staff.
Advisory Board
Assistant Director
Advisory Board
MSU Denver faculty help to facilitate connections between the university and likeminded cultural institutions throughout the city. Our core team of faculty advisors includes:
Jean François Duclos (Modern Languages)
David Farrell (Music)
Megan Hughes (Honors)
Matthew Makley (History)
Craig Svonkin (English)