Now open: “Written on the Land: Ute Voices, Ute History,” in development for more than four years, is open at History Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver. It tells a story in artifacts, visual, spoken and written history, of Colorado’s longest continuous residents — including a look at life today. The exhibit, filling major gaps in the average resident’s understanding of our state’s history, was developed in collaboration with representatives from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, who shared individual histories, as well as a look at life today in authentic Ute voices. Visitors will be able to connect time periods through artifacts from the extensive museum collection, both ancient and contemporary, while sharing contemporary stories. Tickets: HistoryColorado.org. A visit would be a great family outing over the holidays — or into the new year.

Arts as business

Every two years since 1992, the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts issues a report tracking the economic impact of the arts in the seven-county metro area. “Nonprofit arts and cultural activity in the seven-county metro area reached a record $1.9 billion in 2017, according to the latest data … an 8 percent increase since 2015.” … The figure includes out of town tourists who came specifically for a show or exhibit and added museum, gallery and theater visits during their stay, as well as local participants. The report says the average visitor spends $22.50 more than the initial ticket price per art experience; the report shows a 40 percent increase in capital spending, 10 percent increase in employment (11,280 full-time, part-time and contract jobs in the non-profit sector). Philanthropy and education programs are both up. Good news! No wonder our Scientific and Cultural Facilities District is viewed with national envy.

Mark that calendar!

The Museum of Outdoor Arts in Englewood, 1000 Englewood Parkway, will open “Natura Obscura,” a new immersive arts experience, on Jan. 11, running through April 28. Designed and produced by the MOA and Prismajic, it will feature more than 30 Colorado-based artists and creatives and include contributions by the 10 Design and Build interns from summer 2018.

The ticketed exhibition will offer a trip through a surreal enchanted forest, inhabited by magical beasts, among installations by local artists, as well as a specially-produced cloud chamber environment in the Sound Gallery. Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $20. naturaobscura.org. Free SCFD days: first Tuesday of February, March, April. 303-806-0444, moaonline.org.

‘Holiday Hues’

Colorado Wind Ensemble will perform a concert named “Holiday Hues” at 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, with special guests the ThunderRidge High School Band. Program will include “The Red Machine,” “Blue and Green Music” and “Sounds of Christmas” by the late, local Max DiJulio. Tickets at the door: $16, $13, $6, coloradowindensemble.org.

‘B’ theme coming

Englewood Arts Presents: “Bach, Beethoven, Brahms” at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at Hampden Hall on the second level of Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Tickets $20, $15, free under 18. Englewoodarts.org.

Family theater excursions

• Disney and Cameron Mitchell’s “Mary Poppins” runs through Jan. 6 at Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora. Directed by Clayton White, with music by Richard and Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $19-$38, vintagetheatre.com, 303-856-7830.

• “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” through Dec. 23 at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., Littleton. Performances; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 303-794-2787, TownHallArtsCenter.org.

• New Year’s Eve — The Littleton Symphony will present “A Night in Vienna” — traditional waltzes, polkas and overtures at 6 p.m. at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton. Tickets: littletonsymphony.org.

• “A Christmas Carol” adapted by Josh Hartwell, at Miner’s Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden. Through Dec. 23. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Tuesday, Dec. 18, and Wednesday, Dec. 19; 1 and 6 p.m. Sundays. 303-935-3044, minersalley.com.

Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum, at 100 W. 14 th Ave. Parkway in downtown Denver, is open daily in December except Christmas Day. The DAM celebrated its 125th birthday on Dec. 4. It has several exhibits through December, with information and tickets available at denverartmuseum.org. “Dior: from Paris to the World” through March 3 — more than 200 couture dresses, accessories, costume jewelry, photos, drawings, runway videos, audio tour included in timed ticket. “Rembrandt: Painter as Printmaker,” through Jan. 6. aBOUT 100 prints.

Included in general admission. Printmaking demonstrations in the Print Studio noon to 3 p.m. December weekends. Dec. 19, 21, Talk at 12: “Rembrandt as Businessman.” “Claes Oldenburg with Coosjie van Bruggen: Drawings.” General admission. “Stampede: Animals in Art” — from the many varied collections of the DAM: European, Asian, American. (Great for children.) “Eyes on: Julie Buffalohead.”