Annual cultural celebration highlights creative professionals.

• Author: Van Cleave, Whitney

Denver's explosive growth is no secret. According to the Brookings Institution, Denver's population has grown as much since 2010 as it did during the previous decade. While that swelling has been stealing headlines, the changing dynamics of business and cultural arts in the city spins a unique tale as well.

At the epicenter of these shifts is the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA). an organization that has been dedicated to creating and fostering partnerships between art-centric entities and business since 1985.

When we originally started, there was very limited business support of the arts in Colorado," said founder and former Executive Director Vicki Sterling.

The original goal of the organization was to broaden the base of business support for the arts throughout the state. prompting Sterling to quip, "If we were really successful, the group wouldn't need to exist anymore 30 years later." CBCA and the organizations it has supported. such as the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). continue to thrive along with the cultural arts and creative industry communities.

"I think people are starting to feel more comfortable with things that are not just westerns or landscapes." says Molly Casey, co-founder of NINE dot ARTS. an arts consultancy in the River North (RiNo) neighborhood and CBCA member.

Some of those pushed boundaries include engagement and participation.

Increasingly, traditional philanthropy models are evolving, attributed largely to the growing number of millenials and young professionals flocking to the state.

"They're engaged in their community in ways that transcend just the financial and just the donation." says Shari Regenbogen, CBCA's membership and development manager. "It's important not only in terms of method, but also in age group and who they are. So their giving might look different...