Grantees
2020 Peak Arts Prize Grantees
The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region and Pikes Peak Community Foundation announce the grantees of the Peak Arts Prize 2020, chosen by a panel of five expert judges, and the winner of the People’s Choice Prize, chosen through a public vote of 1,126 ballots submitted by the community from Feb. 26 – Mar. 11, 2020. Read the full press release.
“What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful”
by Chamber Orchestra of the Springs & Colorado Ballet Society
Large Arts Organization Grantee ($10,000)
For this inclusive and sensory-friendly performance, Ballet Society will choreograph kid-friendly dances to accompany the Chamber Orchestra playing Victoria Bond’s “The Frog Prince” and Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals.” It will be performed for the public and with sensory-friendly adjustments, to be welcoming to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivities, and other disabilities. With pre- and post-concert interactive music and dance activities, and chances to dance in the aisles and on stage with performers, the concert will be an inaugural event for an envisioned semiannual Children Series.“E.P.I.C. Educational Partnerships Immersive Concerts”
Small Arts Organization Grantee ($7,500)
EPIC will launch a new non-profit chamber music society whose performances will bring a high-caliber, fresh approach to the Colorado Springs music scene by combining classical music with visual art forms and interactivity. EPIC will be a new leader in innovative fine arts by connecting national-level masters with local stars and educational institutions. They pledge to use the best Southern Colorado professionals and national-level artists in every production; champion new works by underrepresented composers plus fresh spins on classics, collaborate with educational institutions, and open minds and spark imaginations through the magic of the arts.
“MYTHICO”
By Emily Wegert
Individual Artist Grantee ($4,000)
Wegert produced and directed a cirque-style stage show, MYTHICO, which debuted last September at the Millibo Art Theater. It sold out its run of performances. The MYTHICO show is a synthesis of cirque-style acrobatics and aerial dance, martial arts, dance, and drama. Her vision is to revamp MYTHICO for performance on a larger stage for an audience of 2,000 people later this year, bringing more visibility to her work, the production, and its talented local performers.“We Will Rock You”
By Funky Little Theater Company
people’s Choice Prize ($1,000)
Funky Little Theater will stage their largest production to date, the musical “We Will Rock You,” featuring the music of Queen. They will leverage the show to build more community partnerships, expand their performance company to include musicians and dancers, and provide mentorship opportunities to high school & college students in El Paso and Teller counties. The summer production will advance their mission to bridge the gap between local professional & community theater through productions that highlight original work, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community.
2019 Peak Arts Prize Grantees
The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region presents the winners of the Peak Arts Prize 2019 arts funding competition, chosen by a combination of expert judging and a public vote of nearly 1,800 ballots submitted from across the Pikes Peak region March 1-15, 2019.
“FORGING GENUINE HUMAN CONNECTIONS & EMBRACING EMPATHY” BY BLISS STUDIO & GALLERY
Large Arts Organization (Prize: $7,500 + $500 in-kind advertising from PeakRadar.com)
Bliss Studio & Gallery presented welding and iron pour workshops to introduce new local audiences to ironworking and spark conversations about empathy. Participants collectively created a public art sculpture, led by Jodie Bliss and her team, culminating at the second annual Bliss Studio Iron Pour in Monument, CO.
“CREATIVITY LABS” BY THE UNSTEADY HAND – AN ARTIST COLLECTIVE
Small Arts Organization (Prize: $5,000 + $500 in kind marketing support from PeakRadar.com)
The Unsteady Hand expanded its artistic programs for people living with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers. Creativity Labs and an annual art show develop participants’ creative expression, fine motor skills, and community connections. Their artists also participated in the Bliss Studio ironworking workshops and contributed work to the Farewell to Bees exhibition with Thom Phelps.
A FAREWELL TO BEES BY THOM PHELPS
Individual Artists (Prize: $2,500 + $500 in kind marketing support from PeakRadar.com)
Thom Phelps sculpted a large dead bee out of steel that was the powerful centerpiece of a local art exhibition at Art111 in Downtown Colorado Springs in August 2019. The exhibit engaged the public in discussion about pollinator collapse and bee extinction, and involved many local artists in a variety of media, many of whom were collaborating for the first time.
2018 Peak Arts Prize Grantees
The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region presents the winners of the Peak Arts Prize 2018 arts funding competition, chosen by a combination of expert judging and a public vote of nearly 1,200 ballots submitted from across the Pikes Peak region March 1-15, 2018.
“Destination: Space” BY Chamber Orchestra of the Springs
Large Arts Organization (Prize: $7,500 + $500 in-kind advertising from PeakRadar.com)
Chamber Orchestra of the Springs reached family audiences by hosting a community event of science & art in partnership with the Space Foundation. Destination: Space featured a concert, educational exhibits, hands-on activities, instrument petting zoo & star viewing. The Orchestra performed a new original work, “The Constellations: A Guide to the Orchestra”, composed by local musician Jonathan Peters.
“SPRINGS MURALS” BY COLORADO STREET ART COMPANY
Small Arts Organization (Prize: $5,000 + $500 in-kind advertising from PeakRadar.com)
Colorado Street Art Company leveraged the Peak Arts Prize to launch its startup nonprofit in support of the emerging local street art scene in Colorado Springs. They hosted a “Pikes Peak Paints” mural event during Arts Month 2018, involving the public and local artists in the creation of several murals in the Knob Hill Urban Arts District. They also purchased safe equipment available on loan to local street artists, and drafted template contracts for street art projects.
“100 Potions for puerto rico” BY jasmine dillavou
individual artist (Prize: $2,500 + $500 in-kind advertising from PeakRadar.com)
