BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
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Vision, Mission + Values President’s Letter Profile + Overview Strategic Priorities Board + Committees Management Team + Staff By the Numbers Venues + Programs Core Activities Milestones
Financial Health Partnerships + Alliances Management + Governance Challenges + Opportunities Planning + Development The Future Fun Facts Media Coverage Acknowledgments
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BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS VISION Our vision is to see Breckenridge as a world-leading creative destination.
MISSION Our mission is to promote Breckenridge as a vibrant, year-round creative destination by developing inspiring collaborative experiences that attract visitors and enrich the lives of our citizens.
VALUES To achieve our vision and mission we are guided by the following values: • Excellence and relevance • Engagement and interactivity • Diversity and inclusion • Collaboration, cooperation and communication • Respect for our natural and cultural environment
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PRESIDENT’S LETTER This past year has been a time of reflection and refocus for our organization. The close of 2018 marks five years of planning, investment and execution towards a vision for Breckenridge to be a world-leading creative destination. It was also a year of listening to our community, assessing our organizational strengths and weaknesses, and analyzing forces, trends and models in order to provide a solid blueprint for Breckenridge’s continued creative development in the coming years. Established in 2014, Breckenridge Creative Arts (BCA)—or BreckCreate for short—was developed by the Town of Breckenridge to manage Town-owned cultural facilities and assets while supporting and promoting arts, culture and creative experiences throughout Breckenridge. The past five years have been crucial to our growth, allowing for the necessary experimentation, learning and informed decision-making that any young organization must undergo. In 2018 we redoubled our efforts to listen to you—our BCA community. In person and online, through social media and in visitor surveys, via comments on Facebook and through your attendance at our festivals, exhibitions and special events, you told us you wanted more art—from classes, exhibitions and tours to artist residencies. You asked for more creative learning opportunities, and more social experiences. We want you to know that we have not only heard your feedback, but we have made changes based on it—and we look forward to continuing the dialogue and growth. In 2018, Breckenridge Creative Arts: •
Developed an Arts District campus strategic plan that responds to community feedback
•
Re-examined and fine-tuned our organizational strategic plan for 2019–2021
•
Assessed marketing effectiveness inclusive of our ticketing system, digital platforms and regional promotional efforts
•
Installed the Albert Paley public art sculpture
•
Refreshed the BCA website to enhance customer experience
•
Expanded regional and national partnerships through co-presentations and co-commissions
•
Implemented BCA programming including our WAVE and BIFA festivals, campus curriculum and other activation events
•
Strengthened our school partnerships to include additional opportunities for students and teachers
•
Increased socially oriented programming to enliven the Arts District campus
•
Actively sought additional funding through federal, state and local agencies and private foundations
As a center for contemporary culture, BCA brings the best art from around the world to our Breckenridge audiences. As a center for community and exchange locally, nationally and globally, we act as a marketplace of ideas and an amplifier of voices, encouraging reciprocity and inspiring innovation. As a center for business and commerce, we use creative practice to promote place identity, drive tourism, enhance community livability, invigorate the entrepreneurial ecosystem and ultimately serve as a model for economic development. But at our core, BCA celebrates the human experience. By providing a forum for a wide range of artistic voices and perspectives, as well as space to collaborate and create, we provide our residents and guests with a unique opportunity to celebrate our humanity through shared, real-time experiences—connecting us to the greater world, to our inner artist, and above all, to one another. As we close out a year of listening, learning, self-reflection and growth, we are confident that the experience we’ve gained, through successes and challenges alike, has clarified our value to, and impact on, the Breckenridge community. That understanding illuminates a path forward, empowering us to better serve the needs and desires of all our residents and guests. Thank you so much for sharing and supporting our journey.
Robb Woulfe President + CEO
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“ This ten-day long celebration of art in all forms
inspired by themes of environment and mountain culture is packed with options.� - Thrillist Denver
PROFILE + OVERVIEW Steeped in culture and heritage, the town of Breckenridge provides a unique mix of creative opportunities for people of all ages and interests. Generations of artists, makers, musicians and writers have chosen to live in or visit this beautiful Rocky Mountain destination, its inspiration reflected in their work. Through visual and performing arts, heritage and museum activities, craft education, culinary and healing arts, design, film and literature, the community offers a scenic mountain environment with diverse opportunities for individual self-expression and cultural exploration. Breckenridge Creative Arts leads the creative economic development of the Town of Breckenridge by: •
Cultivating the town’s cultural assets and promoting the community as a leading year-round creative destination
•
Supporting and collaborating with local artists, organizations and businesses that are mission-aligned and foster mutually beneficial relationships
•
Maintaining exceptional venues for resident companies, special event partners, promoters and rental groups
•
Presenting high-quality performing arts events and visual arts exhibitions
•
Providing education and community engagement opportunities with a focus on art-making experiences and opportunities for creative play
•
Curating and organizing public art projects, culture walks, studio visits and residency programs
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STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Breckenridge Creative Arts supports and serves artists, creatives, cultural enthusiasts, tourists and the community by providing a year-round schedule of performances, exhibitions, screenings, classes, workshops and other engagement opportunities within the five cultural facilities that BCA manages and operates, as well as in public gathering spaces throughout Breckenridge. The five primary goals from BCA’s current strategic and operational plan are: •
To extend and enhance the experience of the ‘recreation visitor’ through creative offerings that differentiate Breckenridge from other recreational destinations
•
To attract the ‘creative visitor’ to Breckenridge who has not considered the town as a destination
•
To enhance the creative experience of our residents
•
To optimize the town’s investment in the creative assets we manage and maintain
•
To build a sustainable, fiscally-responsible organization capable of delivering independent and Town of Breckenridge-funded creative programming
“ Winter sports may steal the spotlight, but Breck has one of Colorado’s liveliest creative districts.” - Colorado Roots
“ … the annual Breckenridge
International Festival of Arts just gets bigger and better with age.” - Westword
BOARD + COMMITTEES Board of Directors Deb Kelleher Spiers, Chair Debra Fox, Vice Chair Kenneth Nelson, Secretary + Treasurer Michelle Bushey Marsha Cooper Lindsay Eland Amy Evans Rick Holman, Ex-Officio Elisabeth Lawrence, Council Representative Bob Lowe Roger Ogden Susan Propper Robb Woulfe, Ex-Officio
Standing Committees Community Engagement Committee Finance + Audit Committee Governance + Nominations Committee Public Art Advisory Committee
Committee Members from the Community (beyond BCA Board) Jim Alexander* Laura Dziedzic* Gary Freese** Leigh Girvin* Beth Groundwater* Brett Howard* Darci Hughes** Ireland King* Tom Kramer** Donna Miller** Joyce Mosher* Brian Raitman* Jason Rodon* Carl Scofield** June Walters** Vince White-Petteruti* Tony Wilson** *Community Engagement Committee **Public Art Advisory Committee
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MANAGEMENT TEAM + STAFF (as of 12/1/18) Staff Robb Woulfe, President + CEO Erin Barry, Programs Assistant Andy Bennett, Production + Technical Services Manager Nicole Dial-Kay, Director of Exhibitions + Special Projects Andrea Edwards, Studio Assistant Tanner Fox, Ticket Office Attendant Gwen Goodenbour, Studio Assistant Trey Harlow, Studio Technical Assistant Susan Juergensmeier, Ticket Office Attendant Justin Lane, Ticketing Systems + Services Manager Adrian (AJ) Looges, House Manager Dennis Lucero, Senior Director of Operations + Guest Experience Susan Lyon, Senior Director of Finance + Administration Sandra Malak, House Manager Ken Miller, Director of Events + Production Liz Mullen, Ticketing Services Project Manager Mike Pasquarella, Venue + Event Services Manager Gale Potter, Ticket Office Attendant Paige P. Scheuermann, Studio Assistant Janet Rabin, Ticket Office Attendant Becca Spiro, Director of Learning + Engagement Kellyn Wilson, Studio Assistant
Instructors + Studio Techs Rachael Anderson, Erin Barry, Louis Bibeau, Sarah Bott, Nancy Branca, Greg Bushey, Jared Clauer, Kathye Conti, Sonya Dalrymple, Caroline Drew, Drea Edwards, Amy Evans, Karen Fischer, Bernadette Foley, Jane Hamlin, Chris Hosbach, Yvonne Kuennen, Kelly Landis, Phil Lindeman, Ryan Matthews, Jennifer Mewes, Melissa Michel, Kia Neill, Kristina Nethaway, Kimberly Nicoletti, Kaitie Pusey, Erica Ragusa, Jessica Ream, Mindy Regner, Darby Richards, Paige P. Scheuermann, Chris Schutz, Chris Simoni, James Russick Smith, Sharon Speedy, Avery Spratt, Kerri Anne Stassen, Joanne Stolen, Katherine Turnquist, Emily Wahl
Docents Caroline Chlipala, Marie Dubois, Alyssa Giger, Carol Kelly, Lo Mathews, Joyce Mueller, Rita Neubauer, Maureen Shields, Sharon Smith, Ann Swain, Jane Tarlow, Wendy Wilkerson
Credits + Consultants GatherHouse, Knightley Design-Design + Publications Fresh Consulting-Website Development webShine-Digital Marketing Services NRPR, LLC-Public Relations Erica M. Davis-Content Writer Carl Scofield Photography, Jenise Jensen Photography, Joe Kusumoto Photography, Liam Doran Photography-Photography TV8 Summit, Ford Fisher Productions-Videography House of Signs, Sign Language XL-Signage Peczuh Printing-Printing Lisa Gamber, CPA-Accounting Services Ayako D Saito, CPA, PLLC-Auditors + Tax Advisors
BCA recognizes and thanks former staff members Saam Golgoon, Matthew Karukin, Mia Tarduno and Vicky Young for their contributions in 2018.
“The arts district…showcases a thriving and creative community, where you can soak up culture.” - Canadian World Traveller
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BY THE NUMBERS
BCA PARTICIPANTS*
60,000+
PEOPLE
13 BOARD MEMBERS + 11 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES +
12 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES + 12 DOCENTS
40 CAMPUS INSTRUCTORS + 15 ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE+
17 NON-BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS + 200+ VOLUNTEERS
PROGRAMS
13 EXHIBITIONS @ 3 ARTS DISTRICT GALLERIES
13,000+ EXHIBITION ATTENDEES
736 CLASSES/OPEN STUDIOS @ ARTS DISTRICT CAMPUS
6,704 CLASS/OPEN STUDIO ATTENDEES 31 FREE DOCENT-LED PUBLIC ART TOURS 1 FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE @ ARTS DISTRICT LAWN
2 FREE CONCERTS @ RIVERWALK CENTER 10 FREE OUTDOOR WAVE INSTALLATIONS
1 FREE OUTDOOR BIFA MOVIE 6 TICKETED BIFA EVENTS @ RIVERWALK CENTER
2 FREE BIFA EVENTS @ RIVERWALK CENTER
2 FREE BIFA EVENTS @ SKATE PARK SIGNATURE EVENT IMPACTS**
12,627 WAVE PARTICIPANTS $495,000 EST. REVENUE TO TOB 12,098 BIFA PARTICIPANTS $508,000 EST. REVENUE TO TOB
DIGITAL + SOCIAL CONNECTIONS***
372,967 WEBSITE PAGEVIEWS 109,740 WEBSITE USERS 34,823 E-ZINE READERS 1,503 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS 11,677 FACEBOOK LIKES 31,034 FACEBOOK ENGAGEMENTS
537,738 FACEBOOK TOTAL REACH
FACILITIES 5 CULTURAL VENUES 7 RESIDENT COMPANIES ARTS DISTRICT CAMPUS BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS BRECKENRIDGE THEATER BRECKENRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL
OLD MASONIC HALL BRECKENRIDGE HERITAGE ALLIANCE RIVERWALK CENTER BRECKENRIDGE MUSIC SPEAKEASY THEATER
BRECKENRIDGE TOURISM OFFICE NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA
SALES + TRANSACTIONS****
$977,157 GROSS SALES 38,879 TICKETS SOLD 59% OF TICKETS SOLD ONLINE 2018 PARTNERS
BEAVER RUN RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER • BOETTCHER FOUNDATION • BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE • BRECKENRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL • BRECKENRIDGE GRAND VACATIONS • BRECKENRIDGE HERITAGE ALLIANCE • BRECKENRIDGE MUSIC • BRECKENRIDGE RECREATION CENTER • BRECKENRIDGE TOURISM OFFICE • BROKEN COMPASS BREWERY • BUILDING HOPE • COLORADO CREATIVE INDUSTRIES COLORADO TOURISM OFFICE • EPIC PROMISE • EVERYTHING SUMMIT FAMILY & INTERCULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER • HIGH COUNTRY CONSERVATION CENTER • KEYSTONE SCIENCE SCHOOL • KUNC KYSL • MCA DENVER • META YOGA STUDIOS • MEXICAN CULTURAL CENTER • MOUNTAIN LIVING • MOUNTAIN TOP CHILDREN’S MUSEUM MOUNTAINTOP MEDIA • MTN TOWN • NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS • NATIONAL REPERTORY ORCHESTRA • REDLINE CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER • SUMMIT DAILY NEWS • SUMMIT SCHOOL DISTRICT • THE SUMMIT FOUNDATION • TOWN OF BRECKENRIDGE TV8 SUMMIT TELEVISION * Includes BCA ticket buyers, class registrants and attendees to admission-free festivals, exhibitions and special events, both indoors and outdoors ** From Intercept Insight reports (+/-20%) *** From 1/1-12/2/18 **** From AudienceView ticketing system for BCA, resident companies and third-party promoters (from 1/1-11/28/2018)
VENUES + PROGRAMS One of BCA’s primary responsibilities is to manage the Town’s five cultural arts venues, including: • • • • •
Riverwalk Center, which hosts the entire summer repertoires of the Breckenridge Music Festival Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra, in addition to a full schedule of visiting bands, musicians and multimedia events Breckenridge Theater, home to the resident theater troupe, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, while also serving as an intimate performance space for a variety of other cultural arts offerings Breckenridge Arts District, a campus of seven renovated historic structures that accommodate a year-long schedule of multidisciplinary arts and craft classes, and serve as studio spaces for local and visiting artists Old Masonic Hall, a recently renovated historic building on Main Street that serves multiple functions as an exhibition space and location for visual and performing arts classes Speakeasy Movie Theater, housed in the recently renovated brick schoolhouse that now serves as the Breckenridge Grand Vacations Community Center and South Branch Library
These venues are used by a number of longstanding cultural organizations in the Breckenridge creative community, including the Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, Breckenridge Film Festival, Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, Breckenridge Music and National Repertory Orchestra. In recent years the Town of Breckenridge has invested more than $25 million into these venues, including building out the Breckenridge Arts District campus; converting the historic schoolhouse into the new Breckenridge Grand Vacations Community Center and Summit County South Branch Library, which includes the Speakeasy Theater; acquiring and renovating Old Masonic Hall; upgrading the Riverwalk Center facility and equipment; and renovating Breckenridge Theater. To maximize these assets, BCA plans additional programming for the Town’s venues, both in partnership with and independent of the cultural partners who use these spaces. BCA aims to present multidisciplinary work that cuts across music, dance, film, spoken word, literary and visual arts, education and the creative and technology sectors. It seeks out bold, relevant programming that engages its community as a creative partner, offers artistic experiences that reflect its time and place, invites audience co-creation and hands-on involvement and showcases Breckenridge’s global identity.
“ Year-round, the BreckCreate arts district’s
historic buildings hold dozens of studios offering ceramics and glass-blowing classes to 3D printing workshops.” - San Francisco Chronicle
“ The rise of BreckCreate has added a new
dimension of vibrancy to the town with their award-winning art installations and festivals.� - MTN Town
CORE ACTIVITIES Fine Art + Studio Craft Curriculum A program that focuses on year-round education and enrichment on the Breckenridge Arts District campus, including classes, workshops and open studios in media such as painting, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and more.
Artist-in-Residence A program that offers regional, national and international artists of all disciplines an opportunity to focus on process rather than product while engaging with the local community in a meaningful way. Additionally, BCA offers affordable studio space to local artists.
BCA Presents A program of ticketed concerts, lectures and performances with regional, national and international talent.
BCA Curates A program of temporary installations, interventions and art happenings within the Breckenridge Arts District and other public spaces. It includes the acquisition, conservation and preservation of the growing Town of Breckenridge public art collection, as well as festivals, exhibitions and special events that feature curated content.
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“ [Isak Heartstone] has become one of the
most famous art installations in the state.� - CBS Denver
2018 MILESTONES Jan 2018 BCA begins its fourth year of operations as an independent, non-profit organization with an annual budget of $2.94M. BCA curates NOISE, an exhibition of participatory sound artworks by Jordan Knecht and Jonathan Mason at Gallery@OMH. BCA launches its 2018 artist-in-residence program featuring regional, national and international artists including Anya Rosen, Dena Peterson, Justin Gitlin, Andi Todaro, Desireé Moore, Nathan Wallace, Damien Noll, Alan Moore, Liz von Graevenitz, and others. BCA hosts BREW: Ideas + Creation Lab, a quarterly salon series that provides thought-provoking discussion for and among creative professionals. BCA co-presents the International Snow Sculpture Championships in partnership with Breckenridge Tourism Office. BCA co-hosts BALANCE, a monthly program that focuses on mindfulness, creative expression and self care in partnership with Building Hope.
Feb 2018 BCA hosts Second Saturdays for Families, a monthly program featuring hands-on kids’ activities and creative crafts. BCA hosts Date Night, a quarterly evening of art-making, socializing and cocktails. BCA hosts MakeShift, a monthly makers’ night featuring DIY-inspired activities.
Mar 2018 BCA curates BCA Instructor Exhibition 2018, an exhibition that brings together works by instructors from the Arts District campus at Gallery@OMH. BCA curates Secret Love Collective: Anniversary, an exhibition of visual and performance-based works by LGBTQ+ artists at Gallery@BRK. Presented in conjunction with Breck Pride Week. BCA hosts Art:Works, a monthly program that invites families to participate in hands-on art projects to gift to social service organizations and the community.
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Apr 2018 BCA curates Hormesis, an immersive installation by Megan Gafford that combines science and technology at Gallery@OMH. BCA curates Off Country, a multimedia oral history project concerning nuclear weapons by Eric Stewart and Taylor Dunne at Gallery@OMH. BCA publishes Imagine, a collection of writing and artwork by Summit County Youth. BCA hosts Sonic Lodge, a quarterly program of live music, interactive art and socializing at Gallery@OMH.
May 2018 BCA receives notification of grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts/Our Town program in support of BCA’s 2019 Ecoventions project, with a cash award of $100K. BCA and Summit School District curate Cloud of Wonder, an exhibition by Summit High School students at Gallery@SBL. BCA hosts rAnge:10, a quarterly open mic showcase for local artists. BCA curates Aura, an immersive installation of color and light by Julie Hughes at Gallery@OMH.
Jun 2018 BCA receives notification of grant funding from The Summit Foundation in support of BCA’s 2018 Día de los Muertos festival and 2018 Justin Favela exhibition, with a cash award of $20K. BCA hosts Bike-in Movie Night with an outdoor screening of the cycling classic American Flyers as part of Colorado Bike To Work Day. Presented in partnership with Breckenridge Film Festival and Breckenridge Tourism office. BCA produces the third edition of WAVE: Light + Water + Sound, a 4-day festival of contemporary public art featuring illuminated sculptures, projections and digital art on the riverfront. Highlights include installations by Lateral Office and CS Design, Porté par le Vent, Tom Dekyvere, Stephanie Imbeau, OGE Group, and others. BCA curates The Path to Syncline, an exhibition in texts, photos and maquettes of key works by sculptor Albert Paley at Gallery@BRK. BCA hosts Paley Week, a series of events celebrating the work of renowned American sculptor Albert Paley and his installation of Syncline, the newest addition to the Breckenridge public art collection. BCA co-hosts the annual Town Party at Riverwalk Center in partnership with the Town of Breckenridge. BCA offers the Teacher Academy, a multi-week training course for educators focused around using art to enhance classroom curriculum. BCA hosts Art Around Town, a series of guided walking tours that highlights the Town’s public art collection.
Jul 2018 BCA curates Barter Boat Trading Post, an interactive installation by Radar Art that engages audiences through oral storytelling on the lawn of the Arts District campus. BCA hosts Street Arts: Patriotica!, an Independence Day event celebrating freedom, heritage and old-timey fun featuring throwback activities with a contemporary twist. Presented in conjunction with the Town’s July Fourth weekend celebration. BCA co-presents the annual July Fourth festivities at Riverwalk Center in partnership with the Town of Breckenridge. BCA offers a series of arts-based summer camps for children that emphasize active learning, creative expression, problem-solving and experimentation.
Aug 2018 BCA produces the fourth annual Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA), a 10-day multi-arts celebration. Highlights include installations by Thomas Dambo, Nicole Banowetz and Michael Grab along with performances by Andrew Bird, Vijay Iyer Trio, Manual Cinema, Gravity & Other Myths, Chimney Choir, and others. BCA curates Tempting Landscapes, an exhibition featuring organic materials found in the outdoors by Edina Tokodi at Gallery@OMH.
Sep 2018 BCA and Breckenridge Film Festival curate Breckenridge Film Festival: Past + Present, an exhibition and retrospective at Gallery@BRK. BCA and Mountaintop Media co-present CampSight, a 3-day gathering and confab for innovative storytellers, marketers and creative entrepreneurs.
Oct 2018 BCA and Summit School District curate Museum of Memories, an exhibition by Summit County school students at Gallery@SBL.
Nov 2018 BCA hosts the fifth annual Día de los Muertos celebration, a 3-day event featuring free workshops, face painting, and community-made altars. Presented in partnership with The Summit Foundation, Epic Promise and the Mexican Cultural Center. BCA curates Ofrenda, an immersive installation work constructed from piñata materials by Justin Favela at Gallery@OMH. BCA receives notification of grant funding from Colorado Creative Industries/Project and Technical Assistance Fund-Certified Creative Districts in support of BCA’s public engagement efforts, with a cash award of $10K. BCA receives notification of grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts/Art Works program in support of WAVE and BIFA 2019, with a cash award of $65K.
Dec 2018 BCA hosts Handmade Holiday, an annual winter open house on the Arts District campus. Presented in conjunction with the Lighting of Breckenridge. BCA curates Kodu, an interactive igloo sculpture by Caroline Drew on the lawn of the Arts District campus.
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FINANCIAL HEALTH Breckenridge Creative Arts is working diligently to broaden its base of support, diversify its funding portfolio and strengthen its business model. We continue to engage in long-term planning for resource development and are committed to introducing new revenue streams in the coming years, with particular attention being paid to opportunities for income growth that are aligned with BCA’s programs and artistic development. With a tailwind of solid operating performance in 2018 and a strengthening balance sheet, BCA’s financial position is sound and continues to be actively monitored to ensure delivery within budgeted resources. Looking forward, we will continue to develop, execute and refine BCA’s strategic plan to better reflect the lessons we have learned these past four years of operations. Our financial strategies will focus on striking a realistic balance between earned and contributed revenue expectations, shoring up cash flow and expanding our resources in order to deepen the impact of our programs as well as take advantage of new business opportunities as they arise.
2018 REVENUES (Forecast $2.79M)
2018 EXPENSES (Forecast $2.77M)
Contributed Revenue: 83%
Town of Breckenridge
7%
Facility Maintenance
3%
Corporate, Foundations + Individuals
8%
Utilities + Custodial
6%
IT Support + Systems
Earned Revenue:
19%
Artist Expenses
6%
Ticket Sales + Class Registrations
5%
Production
6%
Facility Rentals
8%
Marketing
1%
Concessions + Merchandise
45%
Management + Administration
1%
Other Income
*BCA’s financial statements and financial position are audited annually in accordance with accepted U.S. auditing standards. Ayako D. Saito, CPA, PLLC performed the annual audit and issued an unqualified opinion on BCA’s fiscal year 2017 financial statements.
“ Breckenridge understands that the beauty of
its landscape is only emphasized by interesting and immersive art installations.� - 303 Magazine
“ [BIFA] is the ultimate something-for-everyone festival,
blending monumental art, performance, film, jazz and circus arts with chance musical concerts on a trail in the woods or a roll-in movie night for the whole family.� - Westword
PARTNERSHIPS + ALLIANCES Curatorial Breadth + Engagement Embracing innovation in all of the disciplines it supports, BCA is an organization specializing in creativity. Amidst the stunning vistas and spectacular landscape of Breckenridge, it is BCA’s hope that visitors and residents will find an interdisciplinary arts environment allowing them to exchange ideas and find collaboration and inspiration in the most unique of places. BCA promotes artistic experiences that are in keeping with the beliefs, values and ideals of the Breckenridge community, in an effort to honor and strengthen the sense of Breckenridge as a place. Thus BCA programming often highlights the striking natural beauty of the high country, or juxtaposes contemporary themes with the historic backdrop of Breckenridge. It seeks to interpret environmental themes, or invite collaboration between audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds. These thematic narratives underlie all BCA programming. A multi-layered programming team guides BCA’s artistic vision and curatorial framework. An experienced team of arts professionals shapes the artistic quality of programming selected to ensure the highest international standard while truly reflecting the unique character of Breckenridge. A curatorial matrix helps to guide programming selection. In addition to high artistic merit, considerations for artist selection include: how the artist or presentation furthers the mission of the organization; budgeting and finance; ability of the artist or presentation to attract a broad audience; potential for audience development and engagement activities; potential for artist or presentation to secure underwriting; and competition in the marketplace.
Collaboration + Advocacy In addition to its self-produced and presented programs, BCA serves as an umbrella and advocacy organization, working to leverage and grow artistic and creative assets and resources throughout Breckenridge. In an effort to involve the community comprehensively in its mission and to draw on the strengths of its peer creative community, BCA frequently collaborates with local artists, organizations and businesses that offer relevant programming, services and support. These community-based alliances foster diversity, inclusion and growth. Examples of programming collaborations in 2018 include a number of co-presentations with resident companies and/or member organizations within the Breckenridge Cultural Coalition, including Breckenridge Film Festival, Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, Breckenridge Music and Breckenridge Tourism Office. In addition, BCA partners with other regional and statewide non-profits including Building Hope, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Tourism Office, Family & Intercultural Resource Center, High Country Conservation Center, Keystone Science School, Mind Springs Health, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Mexican Cultural Center, Summit County Arts Council and Summit School District.
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Accessibility + Inclusiveness An underlying tenet of BCA programming is accessibility—an ethos reflected in the numerous free events, affordable ticket pricing policy, scholarship opportunities and broad geographic reach. Audiences include a wide cross section of the greater Summit County community, including children, teens, young adults, families and senior citizens; as well as the many tourists and day visitors who travel to Breckenridge each year. BCA seeks to provide artistic experiences that are relevant to its diverse audiences, and to forge bonds between individuals and institutions to help create a community that is engaged in creative activity across the board. The BCA planning team also works closely with the Community Engagement and Public Art Advisory Committees, two volunteer-based groups comprised of local artists, educators, and creative entrepreneurs, to ensure that the organization achieves a balance between presenting the best national and international programming to Breckenridge audiences and incubating opportunities for local artists and cultural organizations.
Producing + Presenting Partnerships BCA programming involves several different kinds of relationships: BCA presentations (in which BCA is responsible for all expenses and revenues); co-presentations and co-productions (shared expenses, revenues and risk); and resident company presentations (no cost to BCA, but may involve the operational resources of BCA such as box office, front of house staff and production support). Producing and presenting partnerships are a critical and valued part of BCA’s ability to deliver its annual program within its current resources. However, they impose artistic limitations. As BCA matures, increased financial resources will be required to provide a greater degree of artistic autonomy. Beyond the curatorial and audience development benefits, commissions and co-productions are significant catalysts for securing financial contributions from governments, foundations and presenters outside of Breckenridge. These types of initiatives are extremely time intensive, requiring considerable planning and human resources. To assess the net cost of any given endeavor, benefits are weighed against a project’s needs and the organization’s capacity to meet them.
MANAGEMENT + GOVERNANCE Breckenridge Creative Arts is managed by a professional team under the leadership of President and CEO Robb Woulfe, the chief curator and administrator of the organization. With collaboration as a core operating tenet, Woulfe and his team work with town leadership, resident companies and other facility users to advance BCA’s mission, strengthen partnerships and cultivate new and existing community connections. Rounding out the BCA’s senior management team are Nicole Dial-Kay (Director of Exhibitions and Special Projects); Dennis Lucero (Senior Director of Operations and Guest Experience); Susan Lyon (Senior Director of Finance and Administration); Ken Miller (Director of Events and Production); and Becca Spiro (Director of Learning and Engagement). In addition, numerous part-time, seasonal and contract employees complete the organizational staffing structure. BCA is governed by a 13-member board of directors. Led by Chairperson Deb Kelleher Spiers, the full board meets bi-monthly and is comprised of a diverse group of local professionals, civic leaders and philanthropists. Members serve on committees for community engagement, finance and audit, governance and nominations and public art. The board’s primary responsibilities are to define strategic vision, develop policy and ensure fiscal soundness of the organization.
“ Anything goes at the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts.”
- The Denver Post
“ Get crafty [in Breckenridge] by learning how to
make papier-mâché masks, bedazzled skulls and Catrina dolls from local artists.” - Los Angeles Times
CHALLENGES + OPPORTUNITIES BCA’s challenge over the coming years will be to continue to balance short-term operational needs with long-term strategic goals. In an effort to update the BCA strategic plan drafted in 2014, the board of directors initiated multiple planning sessions in 2018 in order to further refine and focus BCA’s direction for the coming years. The planning team was made up of board members and staff, who referenced best practices in strategic planning from both nonprofit and for-profit environments to develop the strategy refinement. While keeping BCA’s same vision to see Breckenridge as a world-leading creative destination, this year’s planning resulted in the following updates to the organization’s strategic framework:
Mission To promote Breckenridge as a vibrant, creative destination by delivering inspiring experiences that enrich our community and visitors.
Goals • • • •
To build community participation and ownership in the creative arts experience To attract visitors to Breckenridge for a creative arts experience To optimize the Town’s creative arts assets and BCA’s operational capabilities To power a dynamic organization that delivers independent and Town-funded creative arts programming
Strategies • • • • • • • •
To fuel the nucleus of our creative community by enlivening and caring for BCA managed facilities and assets To deepen the creative experience through a series of contemporary exhibitions, performances, festivals, commissions and collaborations with a curatorial focus on environment, history and culture To advance creative learning through workshops, residencies and education-based programs To incubate creative professional development though training, teaching and mentoring To define, standardize requirements for and deliver superior service to our guests and partners To reinforce the BCA brand through promotion, relationship-building and reputation enhancement To align organizational structure, processes, culture, staff and governance with the dynamic needs of BCA To increase our earned and contributed revenue streams
In addition to charting a course for BCA’s near future, the updated plan will ensure transparency in future decision-making, promote accountability and provide direction and focus to the organization’s activities over a three-year period from 2019 to 2021.
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PLANNING + DEVELOPMENT Programs Numbers of presentations, performances or available seats are not the only measure of growth. Growth can also be seen in the nature of certain programming choices—how they further BCA’s mission while fostering a deeper engagement with audiences and other stakeholders. Priority will be given to innovations such as BIFA, WAVE, thematic foci and initiatives that involve BCA acting as an animator, commissioner and producer.
Audiences As still a relatively new organization, BCA is in the process of implementing measurement strategies to capture its impact, including collecting and analyzing demographic and market-related data regarding its audience. BCA will continue to pursue both the development of a stronger level of engagement and loyalty amongst its current patrons, and to appeal to a wider breadth of audiences in the future.
Infrastructure The resources required to sustain BCA in staffing, marketing and contracted services have been expanding to support operations. Consistent and appropriate levels of staffing are required to best ensure current and future plans can be effectively carried through to fruition.
Capital Improvements To remain competitive and also support BCA’s programming goals, the assets of facilities, equipment and systems will need continued upgrades to meet the growth and changing needs of venue users and to further enhance the guest experience.
Budget In order for BCA to strengthen and grow the breadth and depth of its programs, it needs to develop a more diversified funding portfolio and a strong base of support. In the coming years, BCA looks to build earned revenue capacity and maximize funding potential from government, foundations and the private sector.
“ The WAVE festival reinvents the Breckenridge
nightscape for four days each spring with spectacles of light, water and sound in the tradition of “light festivals” around the world.” - Mountain Living
THE FUTURE After one year of planning and just four years of on-the-ground operations, BCA has helped brand Breckenridge as a creative destination, attracting visitors from near and far. In no work has that been more apparent than the artwork “Isak Heartstone,” a 15-foot-tall sculpture of a troll who sat stacking rocks on a quiet trail near the Wellington neighborhood, temporarily swelling its population by thousands of visitors. Created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, the site-specific installation generated a great display of community ownership as residents invited friends and families to see it. On the dual fronts of attracting creative tourism and generating community pride, “Isak Heartstone” was a huge success. At the same time, however, Dambo’s artwork was so successful it created unexpected and unintentional neighborhood impacts. We apologize for any inconvenience this caused, and hope the solution of deinstalling the sculpture with key elements preserved for possible re-installation at a more suitable future location is amenable to all. Despite the challenges, “Isak Heartstone” did exactly what public art is supposed to do—it sparked a dialogue about who we are as a community and what we value. It is a defining tenet of our organization to learn from experience. BCA strategic planning is based on ongoing assessment of the economic, community and social impact of our programming and initiatives. Moving forward, we are partnering with the Town of Breckenridge and Breckenridge Tourism Office to evaluate how much and what kind of visitor traffic we seek to draw, and to better manage the guest experience, to the mutual benefit of visitors and residents. We also seek greater balance between enriching our local community, and attracting visitors to it. Our plans for the future involve three major emphases: Creative placemaking. Not only do BCA festivals, exhibitions and programming invite creative tourism that financially benefits Breckenridge businesses, workforce and Town tax revenue, they help to shape the artistic and cultural identity of Breckenridge, growing pride in place among visitors and guests. Continuing to invest in our cultural profile is key to attracting high-value customers, enriching the lives of our local community and making sure we remain attractive and relevant in these rapidly changing times. Community ownership. BCA programming has long sought to enhance community livability by animating public spaces in a way that encourages interaction and community building. Moving forward, we will continue to use artistic interventions to engage people as active collaborators; to animate public spaces to foster encounter, dialogue and social cohesion; and to build individual and collective capacities and
renewed foundations from which to develop more sustainable, socially and place-connected, resilient communities. Starting in 2019, BCA also undertakes a programming shift on the Breckenridge Arts District campus, informed by community feedback, to provide more social opportunities and respond to local interest in contemporary mountain craft—for example, through classes on woodworking, welding, designing fishing flies, and constructing snowshoes and custom-made skis. Our goal is to animate the Arts District campus so that more than ever it becomes a center for community, and a source of pride. Social impact. BCA has also embraced programming in which the arts are used to transcend aesthetics to impact community goals ranging from public health, human rights, social justice and environmental stewardship to sustainability. This effort is firmly grounded in causes important to the Breckenridge community. An upcoming example in 2019 includes “Ecoventions,” a project supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, which includes as its centerpiece a watershed sculpture made from natural materials that is designed to filter snowmelt runoff and mitigate erosion into the Blue River. In 2019 and beyond, Breckenridge Creative Arts forges boldly ahead with its inventive offerings, collaborating with partner groups to breathe new life into Breckenridge cultural venues and public spaces. BCA’s achievements are the result of an exemplary group effort made possible by the collaboration of many partners—from dedicated community volunteers, longstanding local arts groups and Town departments to local and national supporters. While remaining committed to strong governance practices, comprehensive financial management and disciplined long-term planning, we have actively sought funding from federal, state and local agencies to broaden our base of support. To date, BCA has confirmed $165,000 in grant awards for 2019, more than doubling the awards we received in 2018 ($75,000) and 2017 ($60,400). These bolster our ability to present the innovative slate of programming we have become known for—from innovative festivals rich with massive spectacle art and thought-provoking environmental installations, to interactive experiences that instill wonder and awe, capturing the imagination of locals and guests alike. Pioneered by the Town of Breckenridge, the BCA approach remains at the forefront of public arts thinking, offering a shining example of the myriad benefits to be gained from investing in an innovative and compelling public arts program.
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FUN FACTS 1,003,000 DOLLARS ESTIMATED TO
HAVE BEEN GENERATED TO THE TOWN OF BRECKENRIDGE FROM 2018 WAVE AND BIFA FESTIVALS 15,360 SHEETS OF TISSUE PAPER
IN JUSTIN FAVELA’S ‘OFRENDA’ INSTALLATION
927 UMBRELLAS IN STEPHANIE IMBEAU’S ‘PLACED’ INSTALLATION, PART OF WAVE
567 POUNDS OF DIRT
IN EDINA TOKODI’S ‘TEMPTING LANDSCAPES’
INSTALLATION, PART OF BIFA
477 LOCAL STUDENTS
WHO PARTICIPATED IN FIELD TRIPS
ON THE ARTS DISTRICT CAMPUS
360 FACES PAINTED,
PART OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
300 PLASTIC BALLS TOSSED AT THE ACROBATS OF GRAVITY & OTHER MYTHS DURING PERFORMANCES
OF ‘A SIMPLE SPACE’, PART OF BIFA
250 CUBIC FEET OF HELIUM FILLED EACH OF THE LIGHT KITES OF PORTÉ PAR LE VENT’S ‘LES LUMINÉOLES’
INSTALLATION, PART OF WAVE
24 CUMULATIVE HOURS THAT STONE-BALACING ARTIST MICHAEL GRAB SPENT STACKING ROCKS IN THE BLUE RIVER, PART OF BIFA
15-FOOT WINGSPAN OF OGE GROUP’S ‘ANGELS OF FREEDOM’ SCULPTURES, PART OF WAVE
3 CHERRY PIES CONSUMED
BY PIE-EATING CONTEST WINNER,
PART OF STREET ARTS 2 GRANTS
AWARDED TO BCA FROM THE
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
1 TROLL SCULPTURE PROVIDING ONE MILLION+ MEDIA IMPRESSIONS
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MEDIA COVERAGE Breckenridge Creative Arts generated hundreds of thousands of earned media impressions through its highly visible media relations efforts, including more than 125 editorial placements in television, radio, magazine, newspaper and web outlets. The media coverage value is estimated to be $206,000 (television $99,500, radio $70,000, online news $31,900, blogs $3,784 and print $688). BCA stories received 843,000 views.
Source: Meltwater Publicity value calculations are based on length of the story, the type of media in which it appeared and the number of impressions for the individual article.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Breckenridge Creative Arts is grateful to the many contributors whose gifts provide vital resources for our programs. Listed below are the businesses, media organizations and government agencies whose support is indispensable to our work.
Founding Partner
Government + Foundation Partners
Program Partners
Creative Partners LIAM DORAN PHOTOGRAPHY
KNIGHTLEY DESIGN
Media Partners supports the supports the
This activity is supported by funding from the Colorado Tourism office, a state agency.
Design GatherHouse Inc. Images Liam Doran, Jenise Jensen, Joe Kusumoto and Carl Scofield Community Partners + Resident Companies Breckenridge Backstage Theatre | backstagetheatre.org Breckenridge Film Festival | breckfilmfest.org Breckenridge Heritage Alliance | breckheritage.com Breckenridge Music | breckmusic.org Breckenridge Tourism Office | gobreck.com National Repertory Orchestra | nromusic.com
Lodging Partner