2009 Business for the Arts Awards Winners

Impact Award - It is not always the most money, people or time spent that have the greatest effect on business success. It can be a creative idea at the right time, innovative strategies, good design, effective communication or establishing community partnerships to the benefit of the company, employees and others. The Impact Award highlights innovative use of the arts to propel business success, programs that engage employees with creativity and other community activities that support arts and business partnerships (new in 2009).

Westword newspaper has been covering the arts as an intrinsic part of the Denver community for more than 30 years, featuring stories on the arts and artists, critical reviews and event listings. In 2005, Westword decided to make an even more significant commitment to the local arts scene. They created the unique Mastermind Awards to honor artists, innovators and entrepreneurs who are creating remarkable art now and changing the creative and cultural landscape in which we live, often on a shoestring budget. These annual awards honor "aesthetic adventurers" in five fields: visual arts, performance arts, film/video/media, literary arts and fashion/design. They are presented at Westword's annual Artopia art festival. To date, $100,000 has been awarded in Mastermind Awards, much of which has been returned to the community by award winners helping other artists to create.

Finalists: Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Starbucks Coffee Company

Leader Award - Individuals at all levels often inspire corporate and business participation in arts and culture. Their influence is felt in a company culture that values the arts, whether it is through philanthropy, corporate collecting, volunteer programs, arts advocacy and many other activities. Whether the Leader is currently working or has since retired, s/he has left an impression and served as a positive role model for those who succeed them. The Leader Award recognizes a business sector individual who has made significant contributions to advancing arts and culture in Colorado (new in 2009).

Cathey Finlon is committed to fostering creativity. Prior to her advertising career, Cathey was Development Director for the Denver Art Museum. She then led McClain Finlon, one of the 2007 top 50 advertising agencies in America, for 24 years, using it as a platform from which to direct creativity and community contributions. Her dedication to the arts was an integral part of McClain Finlon's company reputation and culture. Corporate programs, unique events, collections including furniture, shoes, keys, flashlights and doorknobs, her extensive photography collection, award-winning office interiors and the donation of millions of dollars worth of advertising services inspired her employees every day. The Denver Zoo, Denver Art Museum, Opera Colorado and Denver Public Schools are among many nonprofits to benefit from her philanthropy. Cathey has served on many arts boards and, as past chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, supported the SCFD initiative.

Finalists: Peter H. Dominick, Jr. (Posthumous), Marilyn Megenity

Philanthropy Award - Corporate philanthropic support is critical to sustain arts and culture, the cornerstone of community vitality. Commitment to the arts supports a wide variety of community priorities including economic development, education and quality of life. At the same time, charitable giving generates goodwill and adds value to business enterprises. The Philanthropy Award honors exemplary corporate citizenship and generosity to arts and cultural projects and organizations.

East West Partners strongly believes in the importance of the arts in the fabric of communities and support the consistent creation and display of art in Denver. East West Partners created Riverfront Park Community Foundation during the neighborhood development project there which contributes nearly $500,000 per year to local arts and education organizations. Among those benefitting are the Museum of Contemporary Art|Denver, Curious Theatre Company, Denver Art Museum, Denver Film Society and the Clyfford Still Museum. East West Partners takes an innovative, proactive approach to supporting the arts by providing reduced rate rental space to two nonprofit arts organizations. They are Platte Forum, dedicated to giving underserved youth a chance to work with master artists, fostering personal and community growth, and the Denver Community Museum, a rotating gallery space for community-submitted arts.

Finalists: Kaiser Permanente, Three Tomatoes Catering

Workspace Award - The physical environment in which people work influences employee and business prosperity. Through architecture, interior design, space planning, art collections or individual efforts, workspace can foster employee creativity, innovation and morale. Well designed workspace also communicates corporate mission, identity and style to clients and the community. The Workspace Award pays tribute to an exceptional work environment that advances business objectives.

4240 Architecture, Inc. is dedicated to creating architectural planning and interior solutions that integrate social, technical, economic, environmental and aesthetic concerns into the built environment. When 4240 Architecture moved to Denver's River North Art District (RiNo), designers created LEED Gold Certified offices that reflect artistic ingenuity and firm culture. The open plan stimulates creative investigation and encourages collaboration and mentoring. One design objective was to preserve the original building's history and structure which resulted in workstations complementing cranes and foundry equipment. Pin-up spaces and informal, private "eureka" rooms support the unfolding of the creative process. Works by many employee artists are exhibited in the front gallery space. Colorful landscaping won RiNo's Plant Yourself award in 2008. The workspace is well suited to educational outreach and 4240 Architecture offers community tours and student instruction on architectural and environmental sustainability topics from primary grades through graduate levels.
AND
Pinnacol Assurance is a leader in workers compensation, a field not noted for creative expression. However, when their new campus in Denver's Lowry neighborhood was built, a commitment was made to integrate art into the corporate office environment with the goals of harnessing creativity for employee and business success, supporting artists and cultural organizations and significantly contributing to the overall vitality of the Lowry community. Designers sought to bring the outdoors inside using an abundance of natural light, creating a soothing environment and offering spectacular views of the Front Range. Pinnacol Assurance has an ongoing, extensive corporate art collection featuring many Colorado artists. It illustrates the company's identity, history, vision for the future and the six industries they serve. Employee feedback reflects pride in the company culture and that the commitment to the arts has contributed to innovative thinking and problem solving and greater productivity and customer satisfaction.

Finalists: Eating Recovery Center

Event entertainment highlights included outstanding performances by The Dutch Hop Music Makers, Rene Marie, Curious Theatre Company, Denver Film Society and Denver Office of Cultural Affairs, and Ballet Nouveau Colorado. Jim Benemann, CBS4 News Anchor, emceed the event.

The Honorable Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper opened with a tribute to the late architect Peter H. Dominick, Jr. Excellent performances by The Denver Brass, Swallow Hill, Kim Olson/Sweet Edge, The Phantom of the Opera presented by Denver Center Attractions and exhibitors from The Butterfly Pavilion were extremely well-received by the guests. The accomplishments of all the finalists were highlighted in inspiring video interviews.