Arts & Business Partnership Award

Honorees Colectiva

Colectiva is dedicated to advancing Latinx and BIPOC artists and creative businesses, ranging from chefs to dancers, through meaningful partnerships. Since 2020, Colectiva has worked with over 30 businesses and organizations to foster collaborations, produce events, infuse our community with art and advocate for culture. Colectiva’s work with creative entrepreneurs promotes fair compensation and combats cultural appropriation and erasure.

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines students and faculty in the George S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and the Hennebach Program in the Humanities collaborated with performing arts collective itchy-O to create a one-of-a-kind fifty-plus-piece gamelan musical instrument. This unique partnership advanced the field of musical engineering and showcased the intersection of the arts and science to the school and broader community.

Fitzsimons Credit Union

Fitzsimons Credit Union is deeply invested in supporting and promoting the community where their members live, including the Aurora Cultural Arts District, recognized as the most culturally diverse area in the state. Fitzsimons’ philanthropy and employee engagement support Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA), Aurora Fox Theater, Colfax Canvas Mural Fest, and We Are A-Town Art District Clean-Up events.

Gill Foundation & Scream Agency

Gill Foundation and Scream Agency partnered with LGBTQ artists in Denver, as well as History Colorado and RiNo Arts District, to depict and raise awareness about the pivotal LGBTQ milestones in 2021 on canvas, wood, and even a warehouse garage. Gill Foundation is one of the nation’s largest funders of LGBTQ equality. Scream Agency is a creative agency and B Corp that helps organizations be heard and do good.

McWhinney

McWhinney believes that incorporating art is necessary for successful placemaking. With arts and culture as one of its brand pillars, McWhinney brings its commitment to life at every property they develop, residential and commercial, including a multitude of properties in Colorado, such as Dairy Block’s Alley and Maven Hotel, Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra in Loveland and the extensive art collection at Denver Union Station.

Mishawaka Amphitheatre

Located in Northern Colorado, Mishawaka Amphitheatre and their philanthropic arm, the Mish Initiative, have been partnering with the Front Range community and beyond to expand access to live music, catalyze the careers of Colorado musicians, and shape policy to improve the music ecosystem. The Mish Initiative provides in-kind donations, financial contributions, mentoring and industry expertise to advance Colorado’s music infrastructure.

Modivcare

Modivcare partnered with nonprofit Access Gallery to fill their entire new corporate headquarters in Denver’s Tech Center with 100 original artworks created by artists with disabilities and seniors. The art brings a sense of pride and engagement to the Modivcare staff since the artworks represent members of the same underserved communities they work with to provide healthcare and transportation services.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank is a national leader in corporate support and employee engagement for arts and culture. The arts are one of three community focus areas, which results in more than $250,000 annually and 10,000 volunteer hours in Colorado to support a range of cultural organizations through the U.S. Bank Foundation, corporate sponsorships and community leadership with diversity, equity and inclusion as a guiding value.

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