BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019 HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
1
PAGE
2
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
Vision, Mission + Values Letter from the Management Team Profile + Overview Strategic Planning 2019 Board + Committees Management Team + Staff By the Numbers Venues + Programs Core Activities
01 02 05 06 09 10 12 15 16
Milestones Financial Health Partnerships + Alliances Management + Governance The Future Fun Facts Media Coverage Acknowledgments
19 22 25 26 29 30 33 34
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, creative destination by delivering inspiring experiences that enrich our community and visitors.
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
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
01
LETTER FROM THE MANAGEMENT TEAM 2019 has been a year focused on mountain living, and how we can contribute to the quality of life for our local community. The close of 2019 is a milestone for Breckenridge Creative Arts (BCA) because it marks five years of operations. Founded in 2014, BCA 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. In that time we have been successful in branding Breckenridge as a creative destination, attracting visitors from far and wide with our innovative slate of creative programming. 2019 was also a year of leadership change, during which our founding CEO Robb Woulfe stepped down, and the senior leadership team rallied under Interim Director Dennis Lucero to keep our organization—and the myriad events, festivals, art openings, ticketed programming, classes and other activities we offer— running smoothly. In this time we have worked to streamline operations, schedule programming to spread out visitor traffic in a way that ensures a quality experience for both guests and locals, reduce our carbon footprint and plan for long-term sustainability. In 2019, Breckenridge Creative Arts: • Re-installed the 15-foot-tall troll sculpture, Isak Heartstone, at its new location in Illinois Gulch • Established an Arts Installation Committee of BCA and Town representatives to review all new public artwork proposals • Re-evaluated the budget to implement long-term planning for sustainability that includes cost of living increases • Significantly increased revenue to the town from the WAVE and BIFA festivals—much due to increased attendance to see Isak Heartstone—to an estimated total of $1,627,000 • Implemented a community-responsive Arts District strategic plan, with new classes and activities designed to appeal to locals, which in 2019 resulted in a balance of 50% locals and 50% visitors participating • Expanded partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses, including Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, Summit School District, National Repertory Orchestra, Breckenridge Film Fest and the business community • Voted to merge Breckenridge Music with Breckenridge Creative Arts In January 2020, we are thrilled to welcome new CEO Matthew Neufeld, who takes the helm of Breckenridge Creative Arts after nine years as managing director of Metro Theater Company in St. Louis, Missouri. The BCA board of directors selected Neufeld for his broad arts background, venue management experience and communication and leadership skills—all of which will serve BCA and the Town, local arts organizations, community members and visiting guests as we embark together on a new era of creative arts programming in Breckenridge.
Dennis Lucero Interim Executive Director, Senior Director of Operations + Guest Experience
PAGE
02
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
Nicole Dial-Kay Senior Director of Arts + Programming
Susan Lyon Senior Director of Finance + Administration
“Breckenridge comes alive in unexpected ways during the annual Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, a nine-day cultural spectacle … that uses the landscape as a backdrop while musicians play in trees and dancers rappel down mountainsides.” – Westword YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
03
“From far away, the installation was like a shining beacon, seducing visitors like moths to a flame. From beneath, it was a wonderfully chaotic light bath, where the humming of electricity calmed your senses.” PAGE
04
– 303 Magazine BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
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 and 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 to 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
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
05
STRATEGIC PLANNING 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. These activities are guided by a strategic plan that outlines our organizational goals in addition to the strategies and tactics used to achieve them. Below are the updated goals and strategies, which we refined in 2018 as part of a planning process undertaken by the board of directors and staff.
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 TOB-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
PAGE
06
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
07
PAGE
08
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
2019 BOARD + COMMITTEES Board of Directors Bob Lowe, Chair Debra Fox, Vice Chair Kenneth Nelson, Secretary + Treasurer Michelle Bushey Lindsay Eland Amy Evans Gary Gallagher, Council Representative Rick Holman, Ex-Officio Roger Ogden Susan Propper David Rossi
Board Committees Finance + Audit Committee Governance + Nominations Committee
Community Engagement Committee Leigh Girvin Leah Canfield Joyce Mosher Dave Rossi Brian Raitman Brett Howard Janice Miller Laura Dziedzic Vince White-Petteruti Dennis Lucero Nicole Dial-Kay
Public Art Advisory Committee Amy Evans Marsha Cooper Carl Scofield Gary Freese June Walters Darci Hughes Tom Kramer Lindsay Eland Nicole Dial-Kay
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
09
MANAGEMENT TEAM + STAFF (as of 12/1/19) Staff Dennis Lucero, Senior Director of Operations + Guest Experience, Interim Executive Director Susan Lyon, Senior Director of Finance + Administration Nicole Dial-Kay, Senior Director of Arts + Programming Ken Miller, Director of Events + Production Andy Bennett, Production + Technical Services Manager Liz Mullen, Ticket Services Manager Mallorie Werts, Ticket Services Assistant Manager Mike Pasquarella, Venue + Event Services Manager Chris Hosbach, Facilities Manager + Lead Preparator Greg Bushey, Education Manager Andrea Edwards, Programs Coordinator Susan Jurgensmeier, Ticket Office Attendant Gwen Goodenbour, Studio Assistant Sandra Malak, House Manager Melissa Michel, Studio Assistant Stevie Morrison, Studio Assistant Paige P. Scheuermann, Studio Assistant
Instructors + Studio Techs Louis Bibeau, Dylan Burdine, Jared Clauer, Sonya Dalrymple, Erika Donaghy, Amy Evans, Johnny Fetchko, Karen Fischer, Elisa Gomez, Sinjin McNicholl, Melissa Michel, Kia Neill, Erica Ragusa, Darby Richards, Paul Rosenbeck, Paige P. Scheuermann, Sharon Speedy, Kerri Anne Stassen, 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 Design + Publications: GatherHouse, Knightley Design Website Development: Fresh Consulting Digital Marketing Services: webShine Public Relations: NRPR, LLC Content Writing: Erica M. Davis Photography: Carl Scofield Photography, Jenise Jensen Photography, Joe Kusumoto Photography, Liam Doran Photography Videography: Ford Fisher Productions Signage: House of Signs, Sign Language XL Printing: Vision Graphics Accounting Services: Lisa Gamber, CPA Auditors + Tax Advisors: Ayako D Saito, CPA, PLLC
BCA recognizes and thanks former staff members Robb Woulfe, Becca Spiro and Erin Barry for their contributions in 2019.
PAGE
10
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
“We’re used to thinking of Breck as an outdoor destination for skiers and others seeking a thrill, but few may know the thrilling depth and breadth of its arts community.” – Out There Colorado YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
11
PAGE
12
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
2019 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 • SADDLE ROCK SOCIETY 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 1/1-12/2/19. ****From AudienceView ticketing system for BCA, resident companies and third-party promoters (from 1/1-12/17/2019)
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
13
PAGE
14
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
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 orchestra and 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 Summit County 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; 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 IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
15
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.
PAGE
16
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
17
“Arguably Colorado’s most popular destination artwork is an enormous wooden troll in Breckenridge.” —Denver Post
PAGE
18
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
2019 MILESTONES Jan 2019
BCA begins its fifth year of operations as an independent, nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $2.7M. BCA launches mountain craft workshop series at the Arts District in response to local interest, including woodworking, welding, and a pop-up blacksmithing class. BCA expands its popular Date Night, in which singles and couples gather for a romantic evening of artmaking, to a monthly series. BCA expands Sonic Lodge, its live music series at Gallery@OMH, to a monthly program. BCA curates How to Move Between Worlds, an artistic exploration of fantasy lands and mythology by Australian artist Pip & Pop and Colorado artist Ashley Eliza Williams at Gallery@OMH. The exhibition opened in conjunction with Ullr Fest. BCA co-presents the International Snow Sculpture Championships in partnership with Breckenridge Tourism Office.
Feb 2019
BCA Artists-in-Residence, Das Blümelein Project, host Candlelight Cabaret, an evening showcasing stories of love; and Enticement, a collaboration with Pip & Pop inspired by Nordic culture, mountain mysticism and notions of paradise. BCA collaborates with the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance to present Mrs. Briggle’s Musical Tea, an afternoon of tea, music and stories of historic Breckenridge at the Briggle House.
Mar 2019
BCA curates Inedible Feast, a sculptural installation exploring the gap between the selves we present online and the selves we are in real life, by American artist Laura Shill. Presented in collaboration with Breckenridge Heritage Alliance. BCA and Summit School District curate Recycled, an exhibition by Summit High School students at Gallery@SBL.
Apr 2019
BCA re-installs Thomas Dambo’s 15-foot-tall troll sculpture, Isak Heartstone, at its new home in the forest at Illinois Gulch.
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
19
May 2019
BCA presents the 4th annual WAVE: Light + Water + Sound, a 4-day festival of contemporary public art featuring illuminated sculptures and digital art on the riverfront. Highlights include light works by ACT Lighting Design; Iceberg, an interactive sculpture by ATOMIC3 + APPAREIL Architecture; Cloud, created from 6,000 lightbulbs by Caitlind r.c. Brown and Wayne Garrett; human-activated film reels by Ekumen; and other works by Russick Smith, National Repertory Orchestra and Breckenridge Film Festival. BCA curates Tension by the Denver-based artist Scott Young, an exhibition of gas-lit, neon sculptures at Gallery@OMH.
Jun 2019
BCA curates a month-long outdoor exhibition of Les Voyageurs and Les Oiseaux, a collection of illuminated wire-mesh sculptures by French artist Cédric Le Borgne. BCA receives notification of grant funding from The Summit Foundation in support of the 2019 Día de los Muertos festival and Santiago Jaramillo exhibition, with a cash award of $20K. BCA hosts Bike-in Movie Night with an outdoor screening of the cycling classic, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, as part of Colorado Bike to Work Day. Presented in partnership with Breckenridge Film Festival and Breckenridge Tourism Office. BCA co-hosts the annual Town Party at Riverwalk Center in partnership with the Town of Breckenridge.
Jul 2019
BCA hosts Street Arts: Spangled, 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 concert at the Riverwalk Center in partnership with the Town of Breckenridge.
Aug 2019
Breckenridge is named one of the Top 10 Arts-Vibrant Small Communities by the National Center for Arts Research. BCA produces the 5th annual Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA), a 10-day multi-arts celebration including high-flying vertical dance by Bandaloop, a forest installation of Thomas Dambo’s 15-foot-tall troll, a performance piece at the Blue River and the Trail Mix series of music and art along local trails. Artists include Devotchka, DJ Spooky, Tara Rynders, Chimney Choir and others.
PAGE
20
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
BCA produces Ecoventions, a new series of ecological artworks funded with a $100,000 Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as part of BIFA. This includes 3 installations by Giuseppe Licari, among them a charred forest at Gallery@OMH and trail installation called Golden Shelter; as well as Green Patriot Posters, a community-wide intervention by The Canary Project in which students and local artists created posters around local environment goals. BCA curates Blue River, a meditation on Breckenridge mining history and interactions between human and natural landscapes by Netherlands-based artist Giuseppe Licari and Denver artist Gretchen Marie Schaefer, at Gallery@OMH.
Sep 2019
BCA and Breckenridge Film Festival co-present a photography exhibition at Gallery@OMH.
Oct 2019
BCA curates Ancient Roots + Modern Altars by American artist Santiago Jaramillo, a visual journey from the sacred ancient images of the Aztecs to modern Mexican and Mexican-American celebrations of Día de los Muertos at Gallery@OMH.
Nov 2019
BCA hosts the 6th annual Día de los Muertos celebration, a 2-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 receives notification of grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts’ ArtWorks program in support of the 2020 festivals and an outdoor public installation by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, with a cash award of $40K.
Dec 2019
BCA hosts Handmade Holiday, an annual winter open house on the Arts District campus. Presented in conjunction with the Lighting of Breckenridge. BCA curates BCA Instructor Exhibition, an exhibition of artwork by Breckenridge Arts District instructors.
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
21
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 2019 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 five 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.
2019 REVENUES (Forecast $2.7M)
2019 EXPENSES (Forecast $2.68M)
Contributed Revenue:
8%
Facility Maintenance
83%
Town of Breckenridge
9%
Utilities + Custodial
7%
Corporate, Foundations + Individuals
6%
IT Support + Systems
19%
Artist Expenses
Earned Revenue:
7%
Production
5%
Ticket Sales + Class Registrations
7%
Marketing
4%
Facility Rentals
44%
Management + Administration
1%
Concessions + Merchandise
*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 2018 financial statements.
PAGE
22
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
“The Breckenridge International Festival of Arts is, quite simply, the most ambitious visual arts festival in Colorado and, year after year, it puts on one of the best multimedia extravaganzas of summer.” – Denver Post
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
23
“Whether you’re an experienced artist or photographer or a wannabe newbie, the art scene in Breckenridge can’t be missed. From metalsmithing and glassblowing classes to creative writing and ceramics, there are opportunities every day to cultivate your creative side.” – Popsugar.com
PAGE
24
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
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 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 invites collaboration between audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds. These thematic narratives underlie all BCA programming. BCA’s artistic vision and curatorial framework are executed by an experienced team of arts professionals, who shape the artistic quality of programming by making selections that 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 the 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 include co-presentations with resident companies and/or member organizations within the Breckenridge Cultural Coalition, including Breckenridge Film Festival, Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, Breckenridge Music, National Repertory Orchestra, and Breckenridge Tourism Office. In addition, BCA partners with other regional and statewide nonprofits 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.
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
25
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, in which expenses, revenues and risk are shared; and resident company presentations, in which there is no cost to BCA, but which may involve the operational resources of BCA such as box office, front of house staff and production support.
MANAGEMENT + GOVERNANCE In 2019, Breckenridge Creative Arts was managed by a senior leadership team led by Interim Director Dennis Lucero, who also functions as Senior Director of Operations + Guest Experience; as well as Nicole DialKay, Senior Director of Arts + Programming; and Susan Lyon, Senior Director of Finance + Administration. With collaboration as a core operating tenet, the senior leadership team works with town leaders, resident companies and other facility users to advance BCA’s mission, strengthen partnerships and cultivate new and existing community connections. Rounding out BCA’s management team are Andy Bennet, Production + Technical Services Manager; Greg Bushey, Education Manager; Andrea Edwards, Programs Coordinator; Ken Miller, Director of Events + Production; Liz Mullen, Ticket Services Manager; and Mike Pasquarella, Venue + Event Services Manager. In addition, numerous part-time, seasonal and contract employees complete the organizational staffing structure. BCA is governed by an 11-member board of directors. Led by Chairperson Bob Lowe, 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.
PAGE
26
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
27
PAGE
28
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
THE FUTURE In just five years of on-the-ground operations, Breckenridge Creative Arts has helped brand Breckenridge as a creative destination, attracting visitors from near and far. Moving forward, we are focused on smart growth—how to maintain our reputation as a leader and innovator in the creative arts, while achieving a balance that will ensure the best possible experience for both our visiting guests and our local community. 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 to develop more sustainable, socially and place-connected, resilient communities. We will also stay the course with our programming shift on the Arts District campus, implemented in 2019 based on community feedback, to provide more social opportunities and contemporary mountain craft classes to ensure the Breckenridge Arts District 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. In 2020 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. 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.
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
29
PAGE
30
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
31
“If browsing dusty museums and stuffy galleries leaves you yawning, you’ll find this titillating extravaganza provides a more engaging way to get your cultural fix. Marvel at this fantastical fest’s creative experimentations…” – Westword PAGE
32
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
MEDIA COVERAGE Breckenridge Creative Arts generated hundreds of thousands of earned media impressions through its highly visible media relations efforts, including more than 157 editorial placements in television, radio, print and web outlets. The media coverage value is estimated to be $288,700 (television $149,100; radio $98,000; online news $27,200; and blogs $14,400). BCA stories received 3.4 million views.
Source: Nancy Rebek, P.R. 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.
YEAR IN REVIEW | 2019
HIGHLIGHTS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PAGE
33
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 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
BUILDINGHOPE
SUMMIT COUNTY
Creative Partners
LIAM DORAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Media Partners supports the supports the
This activity is supported by funding from the Colorado Tourism office, a state agency.
Design Angela Knightley 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.org PAGE
34
BRECKENRIDGE CREATIVE ARTS
Lodging Partner