2026 arts ball | Thursday, July 9, 2026
Step into a world of color, creativity, and celebration at the 2026 Arts Ball, benefiting the Center for the Arts!
Immerse yourself in an evening bursting with artistic energy—captivating live performances, art everywhere you turn, an exquisite dinner paired with fine wines, and a thrilling live auction packed with rare and one-of-a-kind experiences.
This spectacular event champions the Center’s mission to bring arts and cultural experiences to everyone in Crested Butte.
The Center enriches our mountain town with an extraordinary lineup all year long—live music, dance, theatre, lectures, unforgettable celebrations, and more. Your support fuels free and low-cost arts enrichment opportunities for every local student, provides affordable venue space for 40 local nonprofits annually, and ensures accessible ticket prices and over 70 free events each year.
Dress to impress in your best blues! Semi-formal encouraged, but relaxed, think polished yet comfortable looks, creative layers, and any shade of blue that makes you feel great.
Tickets Coming Soon
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail Hour sets the tone with thoughtfully crafted cocktails, fine wines, and savory bites, accompanied by live music. During this time, guests are invited to explore the Big Board Auction, featuring a curated collection of exclusive experiences, local treasures, and artful indulgences that directly support the Center for the Arts.
Dinner + Live Auction
Enjoy a gourmet dinner by chef Matt Santor, expertly paired with fine wine, set within the stunning setting of the Steddy Theater. Then, feel the thrill of our live auction, where exclusive getaways, private dining experiences, and breathtaking artwork spark lively bidding wars. Your presence—and your paddle—help sustain the vibrant creativity that makes our community so special. Don’t miss this chance to indulge, connect, and make a lasting impact!
After-Dinner Dance Party + Dessert Bar
Finally, step onto the dance floor and enjoy a decadent dessert bar.
Honoring Carol Ann May
The Center for the Arts will present the fourth annual Steddy Award to Carol Ann May at the Arts Ball on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The Steddy Award recognizes individuals who have shown steadfast support for the Center’s mission and made significant civic and philanthropic contributions to the Crested Butte community.
Carol has been deeply involved in improving the communities she cares about for over 50 years. Her work with nonprofits started in 1974, when she began volunteering with the Detroit Symphony at the behest of her friends. Because of Carol’s vast skill set, she was quickly pressed into service fundraising for the symphony on a volunteer basis and began to hone her fundraising skills. This volunteer work on the boards of a variety of organizations eventually led to a career as Senior Vice President of Development at the National Audubon Society, overseeing all of their national fundraising strategy and operations. Her work with organizations that improved her communities, from the Naples Community Hospital to the National Parks Association Foundation, never ceased, and she carried that same commitment to community with her to Crested Butte.
Carol first visited Crested Butte in 1992 with a friend and after becoming enamored of the town and natural beauty, quickly bought a piece of land here. Carol made the move here full-time in 2008 and has been an integral part of the community since day one. She has left a significant mark on a number of local organizations like the Gunnison Valley Health Foundation, Project Hope, Gunnison Tough, and many others. We at the Center for the Arts are especially grateful for her contributions as a member of our Board of Directors from 2012-2016, including a term as President of the Board.
Carol’s impact on the Center for the Arts simply cannot be overstated. Her leadership and deep expertise in fundraising was crucial to the planning and execution of the capital campaign for the Center for the Arts building that was completed in 2019. She deeply believes in the importance of the Center as “the front porch of Crested Butte” and believes that it adds to the soul of the community. She believes that the free programming that is offered and the opportunities for social engagement are essential for allowing people to thrive, which is why she is so proud of her past work as the President of the Board.
More than anything, Carol would like to leave a legacy that inspires others to become deeply involved in the communities that they live in, as she has done all her life.
In lieu of attendance, donate in honor of Carol Ann May.
2025 Highlights
