Honorees and Entertainment Shine at Awards Luncheon

More than 700 corporate, cultural and civic leaders celebrated 12 honorees at the 2018 CBCA Business for the Arts Awards, the only statewide event honoring companies and individuals for their outstanding partnerships and engagement with the arts.

All honorees were celebrated at the Business for the Arts Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 in the Seawell Grand Ballroom at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.  CBCA has been producing this inspiring, arts-infused event for over 30 years, featuring a variety of home-grown entertainers, as well as blockbuster and international artists. CBCA revealed a new format for it awards this year, including the addition of two new categories connected to CBCA programs.

“Congratulations to all of the honorees for your impactful business and arts partnerships. Your work strengthens communities across our state,” said Governor John Hickenlooper and former chair of the Board of the CBCA. “We so appreciate the work of the CBCA. Colorado could not have a stronger champion of the arts.”

The 2018 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.

• Bellco Credit Union has a strong and sustained commitment to philanthropy in the arts, including Denver Art Museum’s Free for Kids program.
• Dazzle, Denver’s premier jazz venue and restaurant, has been supporting musicians, arts education and community causes of all kinds for over 10 years.
• Delta Dental of Colorado enhances cultural vitality through sponsorship, programming and employee engagement, bringing art and smiles to faces across the state.
• Downtown Artery is a creative hub in Fort Collins that supports a community of creators, including a performance venue, gallery space, classrooms, studios and a café.
• Gensler, the international architecture firm, has made a lasting impact on Access Gallery through a decade of steadfast, growing and multi-faceted involvement.
• RTD & City of Aurora, in partnership, made an extraordinary and exemplary investment in public art with the creation of the light rail’s R Line.
• Stanley Marketplace opened its doors in Aurora with innovative arts partnerships ranging from experimental immersive theater experiences to pop-up art galleries.
• Xcel Energy supports outreach and access to arts and cultural organizations across Colorado through philanthropy and an extensive employee volunteer program.   

EY Next Wave Leadership Award

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

• Kate Perdoni, Producer of Arts District, Rocky Mountain PBS, has spearheaded cultural growth in Colorado Springs through her leadership of the Pikes Peak Arts Council and activation of DIY venues and pop-up events.

Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA): Volunteer Attorney of the Year

New in 2018: 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 program.

• Caroline R. Kert, Attorney, Law Offices of Daniel T. Goodwin, has provided pro bono legal services to artists, community outreach for CAFTA and supports the creative vitality of Colorado through her volunteerism.

Leadership Arts Alumni Network (LAAN): Cultural Leadership Award

New in 2018 as part of the Business for the Arts Awards: The Cultural Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate of CBCA’s Leadership Arts program who had made an impact on arts and culture in Colorado.

• Cecily Cullen, Managing Director & Curator, Center for Visual Art, Metropolitan State University of Denver (Leadership Arts 2011), has been an enthusiastic advocate for the arts through her years of volunteer service, mentorship and community engagement.

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.

• Hal Logan, Founder & Director, Basic Materials and Services LLC, has exemplified profound and dedicated cultural leadership at Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District and more.

Honorees received a unique ceramic sculpture as their award, crafted by local artist, Chandler Romeo. The 2018 Business for the Arts Awards Honorees, John Madden, Jr. Leadership Award, and the EY Next Wave Leadership Award 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. The Cultural Leadership Award was selected by the LAAN Award Committee.

Entertainment at this year’s luncheon included iZCALLi, a contemporary rock band with a commitment to Rock En Tu Idioma; an excerpt from “This is Modern Art”, a play about graffiti art produced by Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Off-Center; NaturalTango, celebrated local tango dancers that perform worldwide; and Up with People, a Denver-based performance group made up of international young adults that entertain and do meaningful service work in the U.S. and globally. In addition, an interactive digital art installation was featured during the networking portion of the event, created by Alt Ethos.

CBCA thanks our generous sponsors who make this event possible. Encore sponsors: EY and John Madden Company. Bravo sponsors: Bellco Credit Union and Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Networking sponsor: Xcel Energy.  In-kind and media partners: CBS4, ColoradoBiz, Ligature Creative and The Publishing House.