2021 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon

J & J Hip Hop Dance & Performing Arts Company at 2020 Awards Luncheon. Image by Amanda Tipton Photography

Presented by EY and PNC Bank, the 2021 Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon will honor outstanding business and arts partnerships from across Colorado. This inspiring, arts-infused virtual event will celebrate for innovative partnerships, generous philanthropy, creative businesses and stellar leadership across the state.

Check out the Digital Awards Luncheon Program to learn more about the honorees, sponsors, entertainment and partners.

Watch all the 2021 Award Honoree Videos on YouTube.

 

What to expect at the 2021 Awards Luncheon:

  • A variety of entertainment from jazz music and spoken word to dance in an unexpected venue
  • Inspiring videos from all 12 statewide award honorees
  • An up-close look at the making of our award artwork by Yoshitomo Saito
  • Jim Benemann from CBS4 emceeing live from the People’s Building in Aurora
  • Special codes to order lunch delivery from GrubHub (only for corporate packages!)
  • A networking reception, hosted by sponsors and CBCA partners
  • More creative surprises!

2021 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.

  • Carbondale Clay Center plays a vital role in the Roaring Fork Valley as a supportive and healing place to build community through artistic expression and education.
  • Charles Schwab has integrated the arts into their metro Denver headquarters and supports a range of accessible and inclusive arts and performance programs at the Lone Tree Arts Center.
  • Craig Hospital has embedded the arts into their rehabilitation programs and partners with groups like Phamaly Theatre Company to ensure the arts are accessible for all.
  • Eclectic Activation launched Windows of Inspiration, which brings together corporate sponsors, small businesses, and artists to boost awareness and hope during this challenging time.
  • Jack’s Solar Garden, a solar-powered farm in Longmont, is cultivating creativity through their Artist on the Farm program and unique community partnerships.
  • Levitt Pavilion Denver’s impact extends beyond their 50 free music concerts a year to advance Colorado’s music industry through education, inclusion and advocacy.
  • Pizzeria Locale amplifies the transformational power of the arts through partnerships with Access Gallery and Art from Ashes, such as featuring poetry and original artworks on their pizza boxes.
  • RedLine Contemporary Art Center has stepped up in countless ways to support Colorado’s creative sector, from administering vital economic relief funds to community organizing for social justice.

EY Next Wave Leadership Award

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

  • Jose “Chepe” Rosales, Founder and Artistic Director of ArtistiCO, is a trailblazing leader and professional Mexican folklórico dancer with an entrepreneurial spirit who is innovating new ways to advance arts and culture across heritages, generations, borders and technology.

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.

  • Michael Sattler, Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Arts Association, is a true arts champion even in the face of uncertainty leading his 2020 Leadership Arts class to raise a record-breaking amount of scholarship funds while steering the growth of his own organization comprising Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and Denver Women’s Chorus.

Volunteer Attorney Impact Award

The Volunteer Attorney Impact Award recognizes an outstanding lawyer who has provided pro bono legal services to Colorado creatives and advanced CBCA’s Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA) program.

  • Shirin Chahal, Partner at Law Offices of Daniel T. Goodwin, has transformed a lifelong passion for arts and music into a legal practice that supports the creative industries, including pro bono assistance through CAFTA and civic leadership positions.

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.

  • Jeanette Trujillo-Lucero, Founder and Artistic Director of Fiesta Colorado Dance Company, is a pillar in Colorado’s arts community and has been a tireless performer, educator, mentor and catalyst for the Latino arts for over 40 years.

The 2021 Business for the Arts Awards honorees, EY Next Wave Leadership Award, PNC Bank Cultural Leadership Award and John Madden, Jr. Leadership Award were selected by an independent panel of statewide arts, business and community leaders. The 2021 Business for the Arts Awards judges are:

  • donnie l. betts, Founder and Director, No Credits Productions
  • Mark Davidson, Director, Fairfield and Woods
  • Betty Hart, Director, AEA Actor; Facilitator, Kaiser Permanente; President, Colorado Theatre Guild
  • Amy Kimberly, Executive Director, Carbondale Arts
  • Chris Otto, Office Managing Partner, Plante Moran
  • Doug Tueller, Founding Partner, Tueller & Gibbs
  • Ashley Unverferth, Owner, America’s Mattress of Western Colorado

The Volunteer Attorney Impact Award was selected by the CAFTA Advisory Committee.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Presenting Sponsors

Award Artwork Underwriter

Technology Underwriter

Entertainment Underwriter

Lunch & Networking Reception Underwriter

Media Partners