EY Next Wave Leadership Award Winner 2017, Jackson Stevens with Doug Scheetz, EY Tax Partner and CBCA Board Member

As a titan of the accounting, tax and risk management industry, Ernst & Young (EY) is well-known for its mastery of all things left-brained, yet the worldwide professional services firm knows a thing or two about the arts as well. “Visit any city where EY has an office and you’ll find them supporting the arts,” said Doug Scheetz, a tax partner with the Denver office, who also serves as a CBCA board member.

EY has been a longtime supporter of CBCA — it was there at the organization’s inception back in 1985, it has been a long-serving patron member, and it has had a partner on CBCA’s board for more than 30 years. Throughout CBCA’s partnership with EY, the organization has been a vital partner in the Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture, has been a lead sponsor of the Business for the Arts Awards luncheon, has had hundreds of employees at Night At… events and more than a handful have participated in the Leadership Arts program. EY is one of the most active members at CBCA’s Night At’s, which allows the company to give its employees a view into the community they are serving.

“When we say EY supports the arts, it’s not just a financial commitment,” Doug said. “Our support includes a financial component, but for us, it’s important for our people to use the other sides of our brains, and to be out in our communities.”  From Doug’s perspective, CBCA’s ability to make that connection between arts and business is its largest benefit — the organization helps raise the profile of the arts as a vital and essential part of the community. “CBCA is doing the vital work to provide a future generation of arts leaders through its Leadership Arts program,” he said.

“CBCA being a connector is an amazing help in that regard: from basic connectivity between businesses and professionals and the arts to raising the profile of the arts and the issues artists face. It’s about finding a common interest to pursue something together,” he said.  It’s an issue that hits close to home as Doug’s wife, who has a Doctorate of Musical Arts in vocal performance, is currently a professor at the University of Colorado Denver’s College of Arts and Media. We’ve seen over the years through my wife’s teaching, how difficult it can be for those in the arts from both a funding perspective; and a connectivity perspective, so we’re grateful for organizations like CBCA.”

In addition to supporting CBCA, EY is the premier sponsor of the Telluride Film Festival, and the company’s partners support many other arts organizations throughout the state. It’s support that Doug doesn’t see wavering anytime soon.

“I expect that our relationship with the arts and CBCA will continue for many, many years to come. We certainly love what we do day in and day out, and we love the enrichment that art allows,” he said.