CBCA: John Madden Jr. Leadership Award finalists

Named after CBCA’s founding chair, The John Madden Jr. Leadership Award honors individuals who inspire participation and contributions to the arts, whether through philanthropy, corporate collecting, volunteer work or advocacy.  Watch a video about the winner and finalists.

Duke Hartman

High Noon Entertainment’s co-founder Duke Hartman has undoubtedly contributed to the creative economy in Colorado. The TV production hub has produced more than 10,000 programs for 25 networks in its 17 years since doors opened for business. High Noon employs 225 local creative individuals and has hatched a thriving professional industry in the region. With his wife, Pam, Hartman has provided long-term support to the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Wonderbound, and as an honorary lifetime Trustee for the Colorado Ballet, he works directly with the staff to maximize marketing outreach and ticket sales through pro bono video production, photo shoots and professional advising.

“I have had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Trustees of the Colorado Ballet the past seven years, and along with my partners in our television production company … have made a long-term commitment to supporting the Arts in Colorado through philanthropy, volunteering and engaging our employees to support and participate in the arts as well.

In 2012, Hartman spearheaded his production company’s support of film incentive legislation and Denver Film Society’s Young Filmmakers Program.

J. Landis Martin

J. Landis Martin’s affection for the arts is apparent in how and where he spends his time and money. By day, Martin can be found either managing Platte River Equity, a Denver-based private-equity fund which won a CBCA award in 2012 for its Modernist design and impressive art collection; or heading up the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, which contributes to various arts organizations.

Martin, referred to by friends as Lanny, serves as the Chair Emeritus of the Central City Opera and Board Chairman of the Denver Art Museum. He has had an integral role in the establishment of Biennial of the Americas and the Clyfford Still Museum. In the past year, Martin and his wife Sharon financed the renewal of a giant soup can on-campus at Colorado State University with pop artist Andy Warhol’s name penned on it. Financially speaking, the Martins donated $5 million to the Denver Art Museum and more than $3 million in 2011 to the Clyfford Still Museum.  Martin’s leadership in Colorado’s visual and performing arts spans three decades and includes many of the region’s cultural gems. “I have long held the belief that the arts are an essential part of the life of all people,” he said. “I have been blessed with extensive exposure and involvement in the arts throughout my business career and have encouraged my business partners and colleagues at work to embrace and support arts and culture and organizations that present it.”
 

Robert and Judi Newman

With success in business, Robert and Judi Newman have been able to dedicate themselves to enhancing quality of life in the Colorado community through the advancement of education and the arts. 

“Even though we are not artists, we believe that exposure to the arts is very important for brain development and overall visualization and understanding of the world around us,” Bob Newman said.

The twosome serves as distinguished benefactors of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Denver campus as well as the Robert & Judi Newman Center for Theatre Education at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Other organizations they’ve touched through their years of public service and commitment to cultural industries include: University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, Denver Art Museum’s Studio Program, Curious Theatre Company’s Curious New Voices youth play writing programs, as well as the Colorado Symphony and Young Arts Foundation. Through their family foundation, volunteering and personal devotion, the Newmans endeavor to make an impact on arts education and the state’s future creative vitality and vibrancy.