Program Summary
The Creative Industries Summit is the annual event for Colorado creatives to connect, learn, and be inspired. More than 300 creative stakeholders from over 60 Colorado cities and towns attend the summit.
The two-day event offers exhibits, performances, networking opportunities, speakers, classes, and workshops.
The event is ideal for both early to late-career creative leaders including artists, board members, community leaders, creative entrepreneurs, creative industries advocates from all sectors, elected officials, emerging creatives, executive directors, municipal and nonprofit cultural workers, and program staff.
Registration is now open for the 2024 Colorado Creative Industries Summit. Register by March 31, 2024 to receive early bird pricing.
Overview
Type: Summit
For: Creatives and artists
Date: May 9-10, 2024
Location: Pueblo
OEDIT division: Colorado Creative Industries
The 2024 program will be uploaded closer to the summit date.
Session highlights:
HEALING COMMUNITY THROUGH CROSS-CULTURAL COLLABORATION
Storytellers of the Ancestral Red Road (SOAR) is a Southern Colorado collective of traditional Indigenous teachers and allies, sharing cultural wisdom in multi-generational educational settings and practicing well-being and community-focused healing through creative expression. This immersive session will feature Indigenous Wisdom, a presentation of the cross-cultural collaborations the organization has facilitated over the past two years, and an experiential community-building component. While the session centers around Indigenous knowledge, SOAR encourages our non-native community members to join us in learning what acting as an ally of service can look like.
Colorado’s Evolving Arts & Culture Philanthropy: A Continuing Conversation to Share Progress, Ongoing Community Needs and Opportunities
First offered at the 2021 CCI Summit, this ongoing conversation between arts and culture creators, administrators and funders provides an open forum to reflect on the impact of changing times on the creative sector, the role of arts in meeting evolving needs, and how arts philanthropy must change to support the sector. The Philanthropy Colorado Arts & Culture Funders Group continues to collect feedback and track shifts in funder practices. This session will report on how arts philanthropy has progressed with actions taken and changes yet to come, with time for ongoing candid conversation on the continued evolution of philanthropy in service to the community.
Demystifying the Public Art Process: from application to installation
This session will feature a conversation between two longtime public art administrators alongside practicing public artists, who will shed light on the public art process. Topics covered will include applying, preparing proposals, contracting, working with fabricators and subcontractors, and more. Session will allow ample time for questions with the goal to make artists feel more comfortable with public art commissions.
And more!
DesertArtLAB: Chicanx Environmental Art
DesertArtLAB is an internationally recognized Chicanx environmental art collaborative based in Pueblo, CO. Their work promotes Indigenous/Chicanx perspectives on ecological practice, food sovereignty, self-determination, and climate change. In this session, DesertArtLAB will share the development of their project from its roots in Phoenix to its realization in Pueblo. They will discuss how development in desert cities such as Pueblo create new homes/opportunities in the Southwest but also strip away parts of the natural environment and its rich history. The session will explore how DesertArtLAB’s land art practice is sustainably revitalizing degraded land to create ecological and cultural value of indigenous desert ecological systems as a response to our current climate realities. An on-site reception will follow this participatory discussion.
Revitalizing Communities Through Public Art: A Journey of 30 Years
Through our public art installations, workshops, and collaborative projects, we have witnessed the positive impact on the community. Crime rates have decreased, businesses have thrived, and a renewed sense of pride has emerged among the residents. Our art has become a catalyst for social change, igniting a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members. The transformation of once-neglected spaces into vibrant art installations has spurred conversations, encouraged unity, and sparked a sense of belonging.
Artistry Along the Arkansas: Guided Tour of Pueblo's Levee Murals
Join us for an immersive tour along the picturesque Arkansas River levee in Pueblo, Colorado. Led by mural artist and guide, Karen Foglesong, this session offers a unique opportunity to witness the stunning transformation of the levee wall into a vibrant canvas of over 60 newly created murals. Gain insights into the artistic process, stories behind the murals, and the rich history of this cultural landmark. Discover the intersection of art, heritage, and community spirit in this inspiring excursion.
Palette for Progress: Accessibility in our Built Environments
Join us for an accessibility walkthrough of the convention center, both interior and exterior. Together, we’ll identify and discuss both the positive and negative aspects of the physical environment in relation to accessibility and basic requirements of the ADA. Participants can take this knowledge and process back to their built environments in order to start taking steps in improving the accessibility of their buildings, signage, and accommodations for visitors of their space(s).
Clay at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center
Tour of Williams' Studio
CCI has limited discounted rooms available at the Courtyard Marriott and SpringHill Suites next to the Pueblo Convention Center. You will receive special links to reserve your room in your confirmation email. There are of course numerous wonderful lodging options in the Pueblo area if you decide not to book at either of those hotels.
2024 summit information will be posted closer to the summit date.
The summit is an annual opportunity for experienced creatives and emerging leaders to sit side-by-side, learn from each other, and improve Colorado’s statewide creative community.
All sponsors have the opportunity to include one giveaway in conference bags at their own expense.
For the full sponsorship packet or to learn more, please email Libby Barbee at libby.barbee@state.co.us.
Platinum Sponsor 1: Governor's Creative Leadership Awards Luncheon– $5,500
This sponsorship supports the performers and keynote speakers for the Governor’s Creative Leadership
Awards luncheon. As a platinum sponsor, you will receive:
- 5 conference registrations
- 1 vendor table
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Platinum sponsor in event program, website, on-site signage and individually with selected sponsorship option
- Reserved seating at head table during large group events/meals and Governor’s Awards
- Opportunity to briefly address all attendees during luncheon event
Platinum Sponsor 2: Friday Plenary – $4,500
This sponsorship supports the performers and keynote speakers for the Friday luncheon plenary session. As a platinum sponsor, you will receive:
- 5 conference registrations
- 1 vendor table
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Platinum sponsor in event program, website, on-site signage and individually with selected sponsorship option
- Reserved seating at head table during large group events/meals and Governor’s Awards
- Opportunity to briefly address all attendees during luncheon event
Gold Sponsor 1: Opening Reception – $3,000
Attendees will tour the Pueblo Creative Corridor on Thursday evening and convene in Neon Alley for a welcome reception. This sponsorship supports local pop up performances and arts programming during this evening event. As a gold sponsor, you will receive:
- 3 conference registrations
- 1 vendor table
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Platinum sponsor in event program, website, on-site signage and individually with selected sponsorship option
- Reserved seating at head table during large group events/meals and Governor’s Awards
Gold Sponsor 2: Arts Engagement – $3,000
This sponsorship supports up to 3 regional artists in providing engaging hands-on arts experiences during the summit. As a gold sponsor, you will receive:
- 3 conference registrations
- 1 vendor table
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Platinum sponsor in event program, website, on-site signage and individually with selected sponsorship option
- Reserved seating at head table during large group events/meals and Governor’s Awards
Gold Sponsor 3: Arts Immersion – $3,000
This sponsorship supports up to 2 art installations showcasing the innovative work of Colorado creatives. As a gold sponsor, you will receive:
- 3 conference registrations
- 1 vendor table
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Platinum sponsor in event program, website, on-site signage and individually with selected sponsorship option
- Reserved seating at head table during large group events/meals and Governor’s Awards
Silver Sponsor 1: Sponsorship of a selected session – $1,500
There are 10 of these sponsorships available. The sponsoring organization selects a session from the summit program line up and has the opportunity to briefly address attendees of this session. Sessions are identified by a call for proposals and selected by a review committee. Sessions available for sponsorship will be available in February 2024. As a silver sponsor, you will receive:
- 2 conference registrations
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Platinum sponsor in event program, website, on-site signage and individually with selected sponsorship option
- Reserved seating at head table during large group events/meals and Governor’s Awards
Silver Sponsor 2: Sponsorship of a selected session – $1,500
This sponsorship provides 6 need-based scholarships for conference attendees. There are 5 of these sponsorships available. As a silver sponsor, you will receive:
- 2 conference registrations
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Platinum sponsor in event program, website, on-site signage and individually with selected sponsorship option
- Reserved seating at head table during large group events/meals and Governor’s Awards
Contributing Sponsor – $750
As a contributing sponsor, you will receive:
- 1 conference registration
- Name and linked logo recognition as a Bronze sponsor in event program, website and on-site signage
Exhibitor – $500
As an exhibitor, you will receive:
- 1 conference registration
- 1 vendor table
- Company name on website as exhibitor
2023 – Crested Butte
2021 – Steamboat Springs
2019 – Salida
2018 – Greeley
2017 – Breckenridge
2016 – Carbondale
2015 – Fort Collins
2014 – Salida