2026 arts ball | Thursday, July 9, 2026
Join us on Thursday, July 9, 2026 for Crested Butte’s most fun charitable event, the Arts Ball. No long programs. No endless speeches. Just pure celebration of the arts and the people who make it thrive.
This year, 250 guests will gather for an unforgettable night, honoring Carol Ann May with the fourth annual Steddy Award for her civic and philanthropic contributions to the Crested Butte community. The evening will include a lively cocktail hour-and-a-half, an elegant dinner from Chef Matt Santor, a thrilling live auction, and an electric after-party with live music from the Jacob Larson Band.
The Arts Ball is a night to connect, celebrate, and invest in the future of the arts in Crested Butte.
Dress to impress in your best blues! Cocktail attire encouraged; think polished, festive, and bold. We invite you to wear blue in honor of Carol’s role in bringing our “Big Blue” Center for the Arts building to life.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail Hour sets the tone with thoughtfully crafted cocktails, fine wines, and savory bites. 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 of Crested Butte Catering, 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 helps 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
Finally, enjoy a decadent dessert bar and step onto the dance floor with the Jacob Larson Band (everyone’s favorite from Alpenglow 2025!), a seven-piece funk and soul ensemble combining powerhouse vocals, classic instrumentation, and an old-school approach to music.
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.
You can learn more about Carol Ann May and her commitment to the Crested Butte community at crestedbuttenews.com.
In lieu of attendance, we invite you to make a donation in honor of Carol Ann May.
2025 Highlights
