Makin� a�
IMPACT
News on how VVF supporters like you are elevating arts, athletics, and education in the Vail Valley
SPRING 2022
Bloom choreographed by Justin Peck In 2021. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
Vail Dance Festival commissions 100th NEW WORK under artistic direction of Damian Woetzel
New Works are the future of the artform » page 2 Solar investment helps save money at The Amp » page 4
In good hands: VVF board leadership transition » page 5
New YouthPower365 Scholarship opportunity » page 6
100 Celeb�atin�
NEW WORKS When it comes to dance, nothing brings the artform’s nuance and range of innovation to life like a newly commissioned work. During his 15 years as Vail Dance Festival Artistic Director, Damian Woetzel has made it his mission to craft new works that would debut at the Festival each year. The Festival’s 100th premiere under Woetzel's artistic direction, a new work by Justin Peck in collaboration with bluegrass artist Chris Thile, will have its world premiere on closing night this summer. Over the years a number of the Vail Dance Festival’s works have grown wings and soared far beyond the Rocky Mountains.
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15 YEARS OF NEW WORKS
For Woetzel, new work standouts include 2011’s This Bitter Earth, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon to music by Dinah Washington; 2019’s The Personal Element, choreographed by Alonzo King with new music by Jason Moran, and last summer’s Bloom, choreographed by Justin Peck with new music by Caroline Shaw. We look forward to letting our imaginations soar with the array of moving art that awaits us this summer. 2
VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION | VVF.ORG
“The importance of new work at a festival is that it takes it from being a place where people simply perform to where people create together...In creating together, there’s always room for invention.” —Damian Woetzel
3 1. 3 Movements and 4 Repeats choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon in 2011.
Photos by Erin Baiano.
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4 2. ENTR'ACTE choreographed by Pam Tanowitz in 2017.
3. Credo choreographed by Matthew Neenan in 2016.
4. Contra choreographed by Claudia Schreier in 2018.
SPRING 2022 | VVF.ORG
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Catchin�
RAYS
Plans for solar, and other improvements at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater The Vail Valley Foundation has scheduled a major roof renovation for the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in 2022, including the addition of a 58kW solar photovoltaic system that will offset 25% of the venue’s electricity needs. Groundbreaking is scheduled for early September. From major touring acts like Bob Weir, to the majesty of the Vail Dance Festival, to Bravo! Vail orchestras, high school graduations, memorial services and more, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is hosting more, and larger, events than ever before. The venue has undergone several major renovations in its history. However, many of the building’s key components are still designed for a six-event season, rather than a 60+ event season. One example: Ever wondered why The Amp’s seats are Bronco orange? It’s because they were purchased when the old Mile High Stadium was torn down in 2001. Now, many of them are falling into disrepair. The VVF has a vision to raise the quality of the experience for all our guests and artists and maintain the venue’s reputation as one of the most beautiful – and functional – in the Rockies. Plans include: •C oncessions and food preparation • New indoor multi-use space • Seat replacement expansion • Loading dock expansion
GERALD R. FORD AMPHITHEATER TIMELINE 1987
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opens June 27 for a six-event season. Willie Nelson is the headliner at the venue’s first major performance on Thursday, July 16. Tickets are $100 for reserved seating and $25 for general admission.
1988
The Bravo! Vail Music Festival holds its first performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
1989
The Bolshoi Ballet Academy dancers of the Soviet Union perform, later becoming the Vail Dance Festival. The free Hot Summer Nights Tuesday night concert series begins.
1993
President and Mrs. Clinton attend the Vail Dance Festival at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
2000
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater undergoes a $9 million renovation.
The New York Philharmonic joins the Bravo! Vail Music Festival’s lineup at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
2014
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opens to the public after a $12 million remodel.
2021
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater opens earlier than ever before (May 15) and hosts a 60+ event season.
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VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION | VVF.ORG
Rendering by Zehren and Associates, Inc.
2003
Celeb�atin�
ANN SMEAD Over five years of Board Service
The Vail Valley Foundation would like to recognize the outstanding contributions of Board Chair Ann Smead to our organization. Smead became Chair by unanimous vote on January 1, 2017, and will step down July 1, 2022. Chris Jarnot, also by unanimous vote, will become the new Chair of the Board on July 2, 2022. Jarnot will become the third Chair of the Board —Ann Smead of Directors for the organization, following Smead and founding Chair Harry Frampton. Ann has been passionate in her service stating, “Our organization serves the community in so many ways, which is made possible by extraordinary community support, that lifts up and defines our community both here, for local students and families, across all our arts and athletics, and in the international spotlight. I want to thank the Board, the Life Trustees and staff of the Vail Valley Foundation. It has truly been an honor and pleasure to work with this incredible group of people for the past five-plus years. I believe we accomplished a great deal to help guide the organization through a critical time, leading the way through the pandemic, and setting the organization up for success for many years to come.” Chris stated his enthusiasm for taking on the role of chair, “It is an enormous honor and a humbling responsibility to take on this role. My family and I have experienced firsthand the profound impact the Vail Valley Foundation’s leadership has had on our community over the past 40 years, and I’m excited to —Chris Jarnot work with our incredible Board and the amazing VVF team to grow that impact going forward. The organization has evolved over the years as our community has evolved, and under Ann’s leadership, it has catapulted into new areas. Ann has led the organization masterfully, especially these past couple of years, to a strong, fortunate position from which we can look for new opportunities to make this an even better place to live, work and visit and to showcase that to the world.”
“It has truly been an honor and pleasure to work with this incredible group of people for the past five-plus years.”
“Ann has led the organization masterfully, especially these past couple of years, to a strong, fortunate position...”
SPRING 2022 | VVF.ORG
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“Our goal is to create a brighter future for the young people in our community.” Photo by Katie Harmon, courtesy of Vail Health Foundation.
—Amy & Steve Coyer
Schola��hi�
CHALLENGE
Amy and Steve Coyer have kickstarted a seminal new scholarship for YouthPower365 students, but they need your help Amy and Steve Coyer have long been instrumental to the work of the Vail Valley Foundation’s education initiative, YouthPower365, whose programming is with our valley’s students every step of the way, from early childhood, through grade school, and into college and career readiness. Perhaps the biggest challenge YouthPower365 students face is when they are ready for college or career
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training but they lack the financial backing to take part in postsecondary school. Now, the Coyers have created a new scholarship, called the YouthPower365 Scholarship, and are challenging the community to join them in ensuring that qualified YouthPower365 students have an equitable chance to make their dream school a reality. “Our goal is to create a brighter future for the young people in our community,”
VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION | VVF.ORG
Amy and Steve Coyer said. “There are so many talented YouthPower365 students who can benefit tremendously from financial support during this formative time in their lives. We are grateful to the Vail Valley Foundation and YouthPower365 for helping us build and manage this effective new scholarship, and we are even more grateful to all the future recipients for their hard work and perseverance as they take their next step in life.”
A NEW SCHOLARSHIP The new scholarship is on firm footing thanks to the Coyers, but it will take a community-wide effort to ensure the scholarship can be awarded far into the future. It is the Coyers’ hope and intention that the scholarship fund will grow and eventually be able to support many more students each year.
2022 IMPACT
YouthPower365’s Dollars for Scholars scholarship stewardship program
$686,000 awarded in scholarships to 39 Eagle County graduating seniors
Highlights include 2 new scholarships: YouthPower365 Scholarship initiated by Amy & Steve Coyer
$200,000 awarded to 6 YouthPower365 students 4 students attending a
OUR FUTURE Gene�ation� The path to securing our retirement is well-marked. We invest using a traditional IRA or workplace account. Our funds grow, tax-deferred—often for decades. Eventually, these assets support us during our retirement years. A key feature? No income tax applies until we make our withdrawals. This dynamic helps us prepare for a healthy and financially secure retirement.
A LEGACY OPTION There is another consideration, however. Traditional retirement assets never lose their tax obligation. We pay income tax on our withdrawals—and when a loved one inherits these funds, they also inherit our tax liability. Consider the following: Traditional IRA balance $1,000,000
Traditional IRA balance $1,000,000
Inherited by Children
Charity Named as Beneficiary
Value After Withdrawn by Heirs $760,000 24% Federal Income Tax Rate
Value After Withdrawn by Charity $1,000,000 No Tax
four-year college
2 students attending a two-year trade school $0 balance tuition for all six students for entire post-secondary education WIN scholarship funded by Women's Impact Network
80 $1,000 gifts to generate $80,000 in scholarship funds 3 scholarships awarded Additional scholarships to 30 students were awarded through variety of individual community based scholarships administered by YouthPower365
This dynamic creates a tax-wise option for legacy gifts eliminating the tax obligation. You can name the Vail Valley Foundation as a co-beneficiary, in whatever proportion makes sense. When we receive your future gift, 100% of your gift will support the mission – the Foundation pays zero income tax—every dollar you share is a dollar we receive. This is a powerful way to strengthen our community for future generations. To learn more, please contact Sarah Johnson at sjohnson@vvf.org or 970-777-2015.
SPRING 2022 | VVF.ORG
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YOUR SUMMER STARTS HERE! GERALD R. FORD AMPHITHEATER MAY21 Amp Summer Concerts kick off with Trey Anastasio Band TUESDAYS | JUNE 21–AUGUST 30 Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights will feature 7 free shows
GOPRO MOUNTAIN GAMES JUNE 7–12 Celebrating 20 years of athletes, art, music, and mountains, the GoPro Mountain Games return to Vail featuring a $139,000+ prize purse, 35+ competitions and 3 nights of live music.
VILAR PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Over 20 shows including: JUNE 30 & JULY 1 John Fogerty JULY 11 Kenny G AUG 13 Kristin Chenoweth with the Colorado Symphony
ALPINE BANK SHOWDOWN TOWN
Photos by Christopher Duggan, Chris Kendig and Zach Mahone.
THURSDAYS | JUNE 30–AUGUST 11 Featuring 7 free shows at Eagle Town Park in Eagle, CO
YOUTHPOWER365 JULY 12 | Stars Variety Show Benefit Fundraiser at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Returning for its second year, this special evening will include a variety show featuring local talent, dancing under the stars, and a variety of ways to support YouthPower365’s mission to inspire, educate and empower youth and families from early childhood to college and career readiness.
VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL JULY 29–AUGUST 9 12 Performances 2 Artists-In-Residence: Caili Quan and Roman Mejia 4 Companies: Ephrat Asherie Dance, DanceAspen, Limón Dance Company, and New York City Ballet MOVES
Learn more at vvf.org/events Vail Valley Foundation P.O. Box 6550 90 Benchmark Road, Suite 300
Phone 970.777.2015 Fax 970.949.9265
Avon, CO 81620
Email info@vvf.org
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Volunteer. Donate. Connect. vvf.org