support

Invest in the Center of Crested Butte

The Center strives for diversity and excellence in year-round arts and cultural programming in our new, state-of-the-art building in the heart of Crested Butte. Our full-time staff operates the Center and creates a wide range of events and educational initiatives in the literary, performing, visual, and culinary arts. We also support local nonprofit organizations who utilize the Center for their own art and dance classes, film screenings, classical music performances, lecture series, and more.

With ticket, bar, and merchandise sales and rental revenue covering only 44% of the Center’s $2.3 million annual budget, we rely on support from philanthropic individuals and corporate partners to continue to provide arts and cultural experiences that inspire and entertain all audiences.

The Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Colorado Enterprise Zone Project

Through 2026, the Center's diverse programs and events are a designated Colorado Enterprise Zone Project. If you are a Colorado taxpayer, listen up! All funds donated to support the Center's programs are eligible for the Enterprise Zone Contribution Tax Credit. When taxpayers make a certified contribution, they can claim:

  • 25% of a cash donation as a state income tax credit
  • 12.5% of an in-kind donation as a state income tax credit

The amount of this tax credit is capped at $100,000 per taxpayer per tax year. If you cannot use all of your credits in a given tax year, you can carry forward the balance up to five years.

The Colorado legislature created the Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program to encourage development in economically distressed areas of the state. The 16 designated enterprise zones have high unemployment rates, low per capita income, or slow population growth.

Learn more about the EZ program here or contact Development Manager Erika Brownlee with questions at erika@crestedbuttearts.org.

Your Gift 

Tax-deductible gifts to the Center directly impact our community through:

  • Diverse programming across 100+ events annually;
  • Access to affordable rental spaces for nearly three dozen local nonprofit organizations;
  • Opportunities for hundreds of students and community members to enjoy regular, year-round arts and cultural programming through our partnerships with the CB School of Dance, CB Mountain Theatre, Trailhead Children’s Museum, CB Music Festival, CB Film Festival, Public Policy Forum.
  • Opportunities for 200+ students to work with professional artists in all mediums through our partnership with the Crested Butte Community School Enrichment Program.
  • Ability to retain a passionate and dedicated full-time staff of 12 and more than 20 part-time staff.

For more information, review ways to give or contact Erika Brownlee at erika@crestedbuttearts.org or 970.349.7487.