2020 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon

Presented by EY and PNC Bank, the 2020 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon honored outstanding business and arts partnerships from across Colorado. This inspiring, arts-infused event was attendedby 700+ corporate, cultural and civic leaders. Honorees were celebrated for their innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses and stellar leadership across the state.

Watch all the 2020 Business for the Arts Awards Videos

Entertainment at this year’s event included: Lost Walks, a Denver rock band that works with wolf advocacy groups and features musicians, dancers and visual elements. Students from Denver School of the Arts’ Theatre Department performed an excerpt from 9 to 5: The Musical. The Japanese Arts Network’s performance combined traditional and modern music, including Taiko drum, clarinet, vocals and rap.  J & J Hip Hop Dance & Performing Arts Company from Colorado Springs closed the event with a high energy performance with nearly two dozen youth dancers.  Guests of the VIP Reception were entertained by Zoe Berman, a Denver singer-songwriter.  Luncheon attendees were also greeted by CHEER Colorado and dancers from Frequent Flyers™ Aerial Dance during the networking reception.  Tables were decorated with one-of-a-kind ceramic artworks created by Downtown Aurora Visual Arts.

Congratulations to the 2020 Honorees

2020 Business for the Arts Awards Honorees

The Business for the Arts Awards honorees are exemplary organizations that have gone above and beyond to support the arts and creative industries.

• America’s Mattress of Western Colorado, located in Montrose, leverages their financial, business and human resources to help Weehawken Creative Arts produce performances. (Video)
• Anythink Libraries, serving Adams County, inspires and facilitates creativity through their open art studio space, interactive public art and welcoming cultural programming. (Video)
• Centura Health’s Denver Metro Group (seven hospitals) is fostering a holistic healing environment through live therapeutic music and visual arts to address whole person care. (Video)
• Downtown Denver Business Improvement District is reimaging the urban landscape as a site for engaging art installations by creatively activating alleyways and forgotten spaces in downtown Denver. (Video)
• Mountain Sun Pubs and Breweries have been infused with art for 26 years, from live music and ever-changing creative chalk drawings to activating an empty storefront window with unique rotating installations. (Video)
• Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) partnered with Carbondale Arts to create the Rio Grande ARTway, a creative placemaking project that activates a portion of an outdoor trail with cultural and historic arts installations. (Video)
• Youth on Record is advancing economic opportunities and careers in the creative industries, all while advancing youth success through the power of music and art. (Video)
• Zeppelin Development has been incorporating creativity into their projects for 40 years, including artist-in-residence programs, innovative retail models and providing spaces for arts and business to interact. (Video)

EY Next Wave Leadership Award

The EY Next Wave Leadership Award honors rising professionals who are leading the future of our cultural community.

• Rob Applegate, Research and Analysis Associate Director at IHS Markit, brings strategic thinking and civic commitment to his volunteer leadership roles at Think 360 Arts and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s YP Committee. (Video)

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.

• Kendall Smith (Leadership Arts 2014), Partnerships and Events Manager for Colorado Public Radio, is an arts advocate and community leader in the creative sector, making his mark on the Underground Music Showcase and Englewood Block Party, to name a few. (Video)

Volunteer Attorney of the Year Award

The Volunteer Attorney of the Year 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.

• Zach Warkentin, Principal at Warkentin, LLC, supports Colorado’s cultural community by offering pro bono legal assistance and educational workshops for artists, as well as being a professional musician and creative himself. (Video)

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.

• donnie l. betts (intentionally lowercase), is a producer, filmmaker, playwright, actor and activist who has been sharing stories of marginalized communities in Colorado for 40 years. (Video)

Honorees received a custom bronze sculpture for their award by Boulder artist, Brian Grossman (Watch a video about Brian Grossman).  The 2020 Business for the Arts Awards Honorees, PNC Cultural Leadership Award Honoree, EY Next Wave Leadership Award Honoree and the John Madden, Jr. Leadership Award Honoree were selected by an independent panel of arts, business and community leaders. The Volunteer Attorney of the Year Award was selected by the CAFTA Advisory Committee.

Table Descriptions

Vision Table

Celebrate CBCA’s 35^th anniversary with the purchase of a Vision Table. In addition to receiving an added level of benefits, funds from the Vision Tables help support CBCA’s strategic initiatives and future growth.

Benefits:

• Invitation for the table to attend a VIP reception at the Limelight Lounge (admission for 10 people)
• Highlighted logo recognition in the Awards Luncheon program, distributed to 700 luncheon guests and other CBCA partners throughout the year
• Celebratory table decor
• Recognition in the event slideshow
• Company logo on your table sign
• Top tier table placement in the ballroom (tables seat 10 people)
• Two tickets to CBCA’s 35^th Anniversary event (date TBD, summer 2020)
• Choose the strategic initiative that you’d like to support:
  • Diversity, equity and inclusivity efforts of the Leadership Arts program through the Deborah Jordy Leadership Arts Scholarship Fund that helps ensure an inclusive community of arts advocates and inspired board members
  • Development of a professional training program for artists and creatives to advance their professional practice, business skills and economic opportunities
  • Expansion of CBCA’s advocacy and programming efforts across the state of Colorado for greater impact and reach

Patron Table

Benefits:

• Highlighted recognition in the Awards Luncheon program, distributed to 700 luncheon guests and throughout the year in CBCA informational packets
• Recognition in the event slideshow
• Company logo on your table sign
• Tier two table placement in the ballroom (tables seat 10 people)

Regular Table

Limited number of regular tables available for the 2020 luncheon. Member and non-member table prices.  Check if you or your company is a CBCA Member.

Benefits:

• Recognition in the Awards Luncheon program, distributed to 700 luncheon guests and throughout the year in CBCA informational packets
• Company name on your table sign
• Tier three table placement in the ballroom (tables seat 10 people)