CBCA Unveils Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework

A Proactive and Inclusive Advocacy Roadmap for Colorado’s Creative Sector

Denver – Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) rolled out Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework on Monday, November 18 with a virtual event attended by 115 arts advocates from across the state.  Believed to be the state’s first policy framework focused on the arts, culture and creative industries, it is a culmination of over a year of an inclusive community listening and stakeholder outreach process resulting in a visionary advocacy roadmap for the sector.

“Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework is a compilation of diverse perspectives on the value and potential of our state’s creative ecosystem,” said Christin Crampton Day, CBCA Executive Director. “It is intended to provide an equitable, coordinated and intentional advocacy voice and vision ensuring that all artists, creatives and communities across Colorado thrive,” she added.

Since 2021, CBCA has served as Colorado’s arts advocacy organization. CBCA led the formation of this Framework in order to steward more proactive and inclusive policy development, grassroots advocacy and lobbying for arts, culture and creative industries across the state.

The Framework includes an opening impact statement, guiding values and four main strategic priorities:

  1. Thriving Arts Communities
  2. Creative Economy
  3. Livability for Creative Workers
  4. Sustaining Arts Learning.

Each strategic priority has two sub-priorities and several suggested strategies. The full research report also includes potential tactics and ideas for each priority area gleaned from community input.  More details plus a downloadable Framework Infographic and the full report are available on CBCA’s website at cbca.org/colorado-arts-policy-framework.

Over 800 Colorado arts advocates and creative workers were consulted and helped to shape Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework. CBCA distributed a statewide online survey in 2023, which was analyzed by Corona Insights.  In spring and summer 2024, CBCA contracted with Empowered to facilitate an in-depth community engagement and qualitative research process that intentionally engaged underrepresented groups. It included interviews and in-person and virtual listening sessions titled “Creative Dialogues: Imagining the Future of Arts & Culture in Colorado.” A dedicated statewide Working Group was involved throughout the process, as well as guided by CBCA’s Policy Committee and other key stakeholders. Information collected through these processes was coded and themed to produce the Framework.

There are four primary ways Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework will be used:

  • Catalyze Collective Advocacy: This Policy Framework is intended to reflect the needs and priorities of Colorado’s diverse arts and creative ecosystem to inspire and stimulate proactive state and local advocacy efforts in a coordinated, cohesive, and effective way.
  • Inform Legislative Agenda: CBCA has stepped up as Colorado’s arts advocacy organization. With an active Policy Committee, a contract lobbyist, the grassroots Colorado Arts Action Network (CAAN), and a close partnership with Colorado Creative Industries, CBCA works to ensure that arts, culture, and the creative industries are valued and supported by policymakers and voters. This Framework and its findings will directly guide CBCA’s near-term legislative agenda (to be released later this year).
  • Expand Advocacy Partners: The scope of this Framework is vast, extending into many different policy arenas and areas of expertise from housing and infrastructure to mental health and education. It can be leveraged to identify new partners and foster collaborative, cross-sector advocacy efforts.
  • Guide Local Advocates: This Framework and detailed findings can be utilized by local leaders, cultural organizations, elected officials and grassroots organizers as a resource to advance the arts at a neighborhood, municipal, county, regional or other community level. CBCA also will leverage its Colorado Cultural Champions (CCC) network of arts, business and civic leaders to help advocate in rural and urban communities around the state.

In the coming weeks, CBCA will be sharing a more specific legislative agenda for the next few years to begin addressing these strategic priorities at the General Assembly. CBCA will also be meeting with partners at local arts agencies, foundations, chambers of commerce, creative districts and other community groups to see how priorities can be addressed beyond the legislative process and at a local level. Finally, CBCA will ensure alignment with Colorado Creative Industries’ (our state arts agency) new strategic plan, which will be released early in 2025.

If people want to stay informed and get involved in advocating for arts, culture and creative industries, they can sign-up for the Colorado Arts Action Network (CAAN): cbca.org/colorado-arts-action-network. CAAN is Colorado’s grassroots mobilization platform for arts advocacy, administered by CBCA.

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 501c3 nonprofit membership organization of leading Colorado companies who recognize the link between cultural vitality and economic success. CBCA celebrates its 40th anniversary of connecting arts & business in 2025. Learn more at www.cbca.org.