CBCA knows how to entertain

At the Intersection of Business + Art

Yes, we’ve all attended the proverbial luncheon with rubber chicken, slide shows, and a children’s choir but, have you ever been to one where guests were treated to a three ring circus?  Wednesday’s fete at the Seawell Grand Ballroom was an exceptionally diverse luncheon. Incidentally, it did involve awards and entertainment but even the awards were interesting.  The luncheon highlighted several  disciplines of art which included specially created fine art prints, a trapeze artist’s performance, music by Paper Bird and the DU vocal group, MIX. It didn’t stop there. Members of the audience participated in an improv theater skit,  and to top it off, a performance by Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, aka, the cast from the Million Dollar Quartet.

The national Business Committee for the Arts was founded by David Rockefeller in 1967. Denver followed suit twenty-nine years ago by forming the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts. The committee’s goal is to inspire and stimulate businesses to support the arts in the workplace, in education, and the community.

Mayor Michael Hancock made it clear why this organization is so important to our state. In his day, he remembered he could walk into the music room at school and pick up and instrument and join the band. Today, the arts are being cut from public schools, and that is what the committee oversees:  insuring that children experience the arts and that it is available to all children in all neighborhoods. The CBCA works to keep art in our communities through support from businesses who believe in the beauty of creativity.

Getting down to business, the 27th Awards luncheon was held to honor local businesses and individuals who have given more than their share of support to the arts.

The first award, Create, was given to Rakun, a retail store featuring handmade products from over 200 local crafters.
The Philantrophy Award was presented to Arrow Electronics and the Impact Award was presented to Aspen Pointe. The Workspace Award was presented to the Gates Family Foundation for their exceptional work in creating an environment that advances business objectives through art.

Last but not least, the John Madden, Jr., Leadership Award was taken home by Bob and Judi Newman. This award recognizes an individual/s who has made significant contributions to advancing arts and culture in Colorado.

Colorado artists Theresa Haberkorn, Mark Lunning, Jim Milmoe and Tony Ortega created unique prints as part of CBCA’s PrintFolio project, an initiative of CBCA’s Leadership Arts Alumni Network. A complete set was awarded to each winner and finalist. Additional information about the project is available at www.cbca.org.

For more information and how you can be a part of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts call 303-282-5135. Or visit their website. www.cbca.org