Last week, the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) released its latest Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture, presented by U.S. Bank, at a Community Roll-Out event at Denver Art Museum. Civic and business leaders gathered for a presentation of data from this year’s report, a panel discussion of its results and a special performance from Opera Colorado, surrounded by Día de los Muertos décor provided by the Mexican Cultural Center of Denver.
The event shared with the community how arts and culture are impacting the local economy and contributing to employment, education, tourism and cultural engagement. CBCA has been publishing this report every other year since 1993.
“This year’s study showed us that the nonprofit arts, scientific and cultural sector in Metro Denver has displayed an incredible economic rebound following the significant setbacks caused by the pandemic,” said Christin Crampton Day, executive director of CBCA. “This recovery is not just about the numbers, but about the revival of cultural experiences, community engagement and the resiliency of a vibrant, creative ecosystem in Metro Denver.”
The study, whose data was analyzed by BBC Research, examines how nearly 300 organizations funded by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) across the seven-county Metro Denver area have rebounded from the pandemic by looking at self-reported data from the 2022 calendar year. Key metrics include overall economic activity, cultural tourism, jobs, attendance, philanthropy and educational outreach.
In 2022, the total economic activity, which comprises direct and indirect spending from operations, audiences and capital projects, reached a staggering $2.6 billion. This figure represents a remarkable 72% increase over 2020, showcasing the sector’s resilience and adaptability. This figure is also a 13.6% increase over pre-pandemic levels of 2019, which showcase not only recovery, but additional growth.
A major contributing factor for this increase was an economic impact of $81 million from federal funding awarded to Metro Denver arts, cultural and scientific nonprofit organizations for unprecedented pandemic-specific relief and recovery efforts. Jobs in the nonprofit cultural sector also fully rebounded from the losses seen during pandemic, resulting a record-breaking 13,551 in employment in 2022.
“Our nonprofit arts, culture and scientific organizations contribute greatly to the economic vitality of metro Denver and its workforce,” added Marcia Romero, vice president, community development and relations, U.S. Bank. “By measuring the impact of these institutions for 30 years, CBCA allows us to identify how the private sector can continue to support and the general public can benefit from these cherished community organizations.”
Overall, economic activity generated by the cultural sector in the seven-county metro area reached a new record-level high in 2022, indicating a rapid recovery from the pandemic, fueled in part by one-time federal funding. The ripple effect from direct and indirect spending on operations, audience engagement and capital projects has a significant effect on the regional economy.
Read the full study at cbca.org/economic-activity-study. In addition to the comprehensive whitepaper from BBC Research, there is a downloadable summary in English and Spanish.
Event and report sponsors include: U.S. Bank; Pinnacol Assurance; East West Partners; VISIT DENVER; Amazon; Colorado Education & Cultural Facilities Authority (CECFA); Denver Botanic Gardens; Denver Center for the Performing Arts; Denver Museum of Nature & Science; SCFD; Denver Art Museum and The Publishing House.
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) recognized 12 honorees at its 2023 Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank. This sold-out event was attended by 700 corporate, cultural and civic leaders at the Seawell Ballroom, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, as well as live streamed to attendees. CBCA’s largest annual fundraiser and celebration, the Awards luncheon is the only statewide event honoring companies and individuals for their outstanding partnerships and engagement with the arts.
Founded in 1985, CBCA has been producing this inspiring, arts-infused event for 35 years, featuring exemplary honorees and a variety of homegrown entertainers and Colorado artists. CBCA has honored over 200 companies and individuals in that time.
“It was wonderful to be back with another sold-out Awards luncheon,” said Dustin Whistler, CBCA Board Chair and Founder & Principal, Forte Commercial Real Estate. “This year’s honorees truly demonstrated the impact of CBCA’s mission and how arts and business partnerships can foster innovation, inclusion and economic growth.”
The Awards luncheon program was emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, who has emceed this event for over a decade and retires later this month. The program was punctuated with four diverse live performances featuring Colorado-based artists, sponsored by Moye White. The program kicked off with a moving performance by Denver singer, songwriter and performance artist Kayla Marque. Leela Dance Collective, an international touring dance company, performed the North Indian dance form kathak. The Boulder Bassoon Quartet showcased a range of musical genres and Wild Heart Dance closed out the event with a riveting contemporary dance piece.
Prior to the event, guests mingled at a networking reception, sponsored by Xcel Energy, featuring music from Denver-Boulder area singers and instrumentalists, Planina: Songs of Eastern Europe. Honorees and sponsors attended a VIP Reception, sponsored by Anythink Libraries, with live music from singer, songwriter and musician Casino Perosi at Prelude + Post.
The original Award Artwork presented to each honoree was commissioned from interdisciplinary artist Autumn T. Thomas, and sponsored by HealthONE. Each of the illuminated mixed media table centerpieces were crafted by the Art Students League of Denver, and sponsored by Bellco Credit Union.
2023 Arts & Business Partnership Award Honorees
The Arts & Business Partnership Award honorees are exemplary organizations that have gone above and beyond to support the arts and creative industries.
Colectivais dedicated to advancing Latinx and BIPOC artists and creative businesses, ranging from chefs to dancers. Since 2020, Colectiva has worked with over 30 businesses and organizations to foster collaborations, infuse our community with art and advocate for culture.
Colorado School of Minesstudents and faculty in theGeorge S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and the Hennebach Program in the Humanities collaborated with performing arts collective itchy-O to create one-of-kind musical instruments, advancing the field of musical engineering, and showcasing the intersection of the arts and science.
Fitzsimons Credit Unionis deeply invested in supporting and promoting the Aurora Cultural Arts District. Fitzsimons staff and philanthropy support Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA), Aurora Fox Theater, Colfax Canvas Mural Fest, and We Are A-Town Art District Clean-Up events.
Gill Foundation & Scream Agencypartnered with the LGBTQ artist community in Denver, as well as History Colorado and RiNo Arts District, to raise awareness about the pivotal LGBTQ movements in 2021. Local artists depicted key LGBTQ milestones on canvas, wood, and even a warehouse garage.
McWhinneybelieves that incorporating art is necessary for successful placemaking. With arts and culture as one of its brand pillars, McWhinney brings its commitment to life at a multitude of properties in Colorado, such as Dairy Block, Centerra in Loveland and Denver Union Station.
Mishawaka Amphitheatre and their philanthropic arm, the Mish Initiative, having been partnering with the Front Range community and beyond to expand access to live music, catalyze the careers of Colorado musicians, and shape the policy to improve the music ecosystem.
Modivcareworked with Access Gallery to fill their new corporate headquarters with 100 original artworks created by artists with disabilities and seniors, which aligns with their mission to provide health access to underserved communities.
U.S. Bankin a national leader in corporate support and employee engagement for arts and culture. The arts are one of three community focus areas, which results in more than $250,000 annually to support a range of Colorado cultural organizations through the U.S. Bank Foundation.
EY Next Wave Leadership Award
The EY Next Wave Leadership Award honors rising professionals who are leading the future of our cultural community.
Ashley Cornelius, LPC, RESTORE Program Manager, Denver Health is a passionate advocate for mental health, empowerment and racial equity. A licensed counselor and Pikes Peak Region Poet Laureate, Cornelius is committed to using poetry as a platform to speak up and out for marginalized groups and be a voice for those who have been silenced.
PNC Bank Cultural Leadership Award
The PNC Bank Cultural Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate of CBCA’s Leadership Arts program who has made an impact on arts and culture in Colorado.
Deborah Malden, Co-Founder/Board Member, Create Boulder and Arts Liaison & Advisor, Boulder Chamber has been advocating for the arts since graduating from Leadership Arts in 2013. Malden’s leadership service includes 3rd Law Dance/Theater, SCFD Board of Directors, Create Boulder, Boulder Chamber, CBCA’s Colorado Cultural Champions and more.
Volunteer Attorney Impact Award
The Volunteer Attorney Impact Award recognizes an outstanding attorney who has provided pro bono legal services to Colorado creatives and advanced CBCA’s Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA) program.
Brian Hanning, Attorney, Hanning Law Limited has been an active volunteer with Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA) since 2017, helping numerous artists and creative entrepreneurs with their legal needs, answering questions on CAFTA consultation clinics, and advocating for startup and small business support in Northern Colorado.
John Madden, Jr. Leadership Award
Named for CBCA’s founding chairman, the John Madden, Jr. Leadership Award recognizes a lifetime of extraordinary leadership and a legacy of support for the arts.
Merle Chambers, business person and co-founder, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art is a pioneer of women’s leadership and philanthropy, supporting significant capital projects at several museums, performance venues and cultural institutions. Chambers was recently appointed by U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts (PACA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) advances Colorado’s creative economy by connecting business and the arts through arts engagement, advocacy, training, research, and volunteerism. CBCA is a 38-year-old 501c3 nonprofit membership organization of leading Colorado companies who recognize the link between cultural vitality and economic success.Learn more at www.cbca.org.
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, the EY Next Wave Leadership Award honors rising professionals who are leading the future of our cultural community in Colorado.
Meet: Tara Rynders.
Tara Rynders, RN has been a registered nurse for over 18 years, as well as a dancer and performer. Artistic Director and Founder of You & Me and The Clinic, Rynders is harnessing the power of dance and creative play to combat compassion fatigue and burnout for nurses and healthcare workers through immersive performances, art-based workshops, and virtual resiliency moments.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and storied by Rynders, learn more how healing through healthcare and healing through art can play together in an immersive way to lift the spirits of the dedicated members who care for us:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, the Volunteer Attorney Impact Award recognizes an outstanding attorney who has provided pro bono legal services to Colorado creatives and advanced CBCA’s Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA) program.
Meet: Dave Rein.
Dave Rein is an intellectual property attorney with Avek IP (a law firm serving clients’ intellectual property needs), and is an advocate for the arts — through his pro bono legal service and education with CAFTA. Rein also serves on the Board for 40 West Arts, is a member of the Jefferson County Cultural Council, and provides legal consultation for entrepreneurs at Mi Casa Resource Center.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and described by Rein, get a better understanding how a boutique firm in Avek can help artists through complexities from trademarks to registration, ultimately promoting and protecting their craft:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, the PNC Bank Cultural Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate of CBCA’s Leadership Arts program who had made an impact on arts and culture in Colorado.
Meet: Roopesh Aggarwal.
Roopesh Aggarwal, Senior Director of Business Innovation at Xcel Energy, joined the Board of Central City Opera after graduating from CBCA’s Leadership Arts program in 2016. Aggarwal has provided extraordinary leadership, guidance, and vision as Board President — and now, Co-Chairman during a transformative and challenging time for the organization.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and introduced by long-time Coloradan, Aggarwal, discover how becoming a patron of the arts and time treasured in Central City has proven beyond the financial aspect of business:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, the John Madden, Jr. Leadership Award recognizes a lifetime of extraordinary leadership and a legacy of support for the arts.
Meet: Richard Carter.
Richard Carter is a renowned artist and activist, who has been spearheading creative development in the Roaring Fork Valley since the 1970s. Carter is Co-Founder of the Aspen Art Museum, and has led the Board and development efforts for numerous arts institutions, including Anderson Ranch Art Center, Art Base, and the new The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) in Basalt, Colorado.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and discussed with Carter, get a peek into the mountain of contemporary art that this artist has surmounted over decades and roots in Front Range art scene:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, The Arts & Business Partnership Award Honorees are exemplary organizations that have gone above and beyond to support the arts and creative industries.
Meet: Holiday Twin Drive-In.
The Holiday Twin Drive-In, located in Fort Collins, is one of few remaining drive-in movie theaters in the country. In 2020, Holiday Twin partnered with Fort Collins Musicians Association to provide a safe place for live music during the pandemic, when all other venues were shuttered. Together, they produced weekly concert series supporting dozens of bands and hundreds of musicians.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and introduced by General Manager Josh Cisar, learn more how particularly over the pandemic the Holiday Twin has helped to keep artists afloat and the community vibrant:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, The Arts & Business Partnership Award Honorees are exemplary organizations that have gone above and beyond to support the arts and creative industries.
Meet: Meow Wolf Denver.
Meow Wolf Denver’s new Convergence Station is the latest outpost for the Santa Fe, New Mexico based art collective. As a certified B-Corporation, Meow Wolf Denver has been investing in the Metro Area’s diverse creative community with a focus on social impact and accessibility, reflected in various aspects of the new facility and engagement, centered in the Sun Valley neighborhood where it is located.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and introduced by General Manager Alex Bennett, get a sneak-peek at the converged worlds of Meow Wolf and learn about the collective’s impact on the Sun Valley neighborhood and art hire:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, The Arts & Business Partnership Award Honorees are exemplary organizations that have gone above and beyond to support the arts and creative industries.
Meet: PNC Bank.
PNC Bank has proven to be a champion of arts and culture partnerships — through impactful sponsorships, significant grantmaking, and employee leadership opportunities — since entering the Colorado market in 2018. PNC was the title sponsor for Denver Art Museum’s acclaimed Monet exhibit, Colorado Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” and various programs that benefit early education through the arts.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and introduced by Colorado Regional President Ryan Beiser, discover how the national bank brings “main street bank” support to the Colorado community it serves:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) celebrates innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses, and stellar leadership across the Colorado — as recognized at CBCA’s Business for the Arts Awards, presented by EY and PNC Bank, that took place on March 15, 2022.
As part of the CBCA awards and celebration, The Arts & Business Partnership Award Honorees are exemplary organizations that have gone above and beyond to support the arts and creative industries.
Meet: Urban Peak.
Urban Peak provides a full convergence of services for youth experiencing homelessness to help them become self-sufficient adults. Urban Peak’s downtown Denver drop-in youth shelter created a new state-of-the-art music studio, spearheaded by University of Colorado Denver songwriting professor, Owen Kortz, in order to provide the community with a cathartic and expressive outlet.
Emceed by CBS4 Anchorman and Award-winning Journalist Jim Benemann, and introduced by CEO Christina Carlson, become inspired by how Denver’s Urban Peak helps youth gain more self-determined and fulfilled lives through a full continuum of services, art therapy, and more:
View the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon presentation, full program: Digital Edition. View the playlist to see all 12 honorees from the 2022 Business for the Arts Awards and more, on YouTube: Awards Playlist.
Information and media courtesy of Meredith Badler, Deputy Director for Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA).
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