Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) announces 12 honorees for its 2021 Business for the Arts Awards, the only statewide event honoring companies and individuals for their outstanding partnerships and engagement with the arts.

All of the honorees will be celebrated at the Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon, presented by EY and PNC Bank, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. It will be a high-energy virtual celebration filled with entertainment to honor exemplary partnerships, philanthropy and leadership for the arts in Colorado.

“The pandemic and economic recession of the past several months have had a disproportionate and devastating effect on the arts, culture and creative sector in Colorado,” says Christin Crampton Day, CBCA executive director. “Despite these challenging times, it is inspiring to see innovative and impactful arts and business partnerships at a time it is needed most. These for-profit and nonprofit organizations and individuals who will be recognized at the 2021 Business for the Arts Awards represent a diverse group of outstanding honorees demonstrating the power of creativity, collaboration and civic engagement.”

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.

CBCA thanks our generous sponsors who make this awards program and event possible. Corporate sponsors include EY, PNC Bank and Xcel Energy. In-kind and media partners are CBS4, ColoradoBiz and Moxtopia.