Annual Report 2017
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© Stephen Collector © Stephen Collector ESCAPE, ENGAGE, ELEVATE © Werner R. Slocum © Kyle Berkompas annual report 2017 © Benko Photographics © Werner R. Slocum accomplishments letter from the board president DEAR FRIENDS , As I write this and 2017 has receded into memory, I am happy to report on behalf of the board that the Colorado Chautauqua Association completed the year successfully—not only financially, but culturally, intellectually and with progress toward preservation of physical place and spirit of place. Achievements of the past year have enhanced the staying power of this place and spirit, with much attention paid to making it vital and relevant in the 21st century and beyond. For the first time since 2002, the association purchased a cottage that came up for private sale. The Galey Cottage represents an extraordinarily important part of Chautauqua’s history. Not only did generations of Galeys live and grow in that house, but Mary Galey, the author of “The Grand Assembly,” the official history of Chautauqua, was instrumental in saving Chautauqua when it was at risk of failing in the 1970s. This contributing structure to the National Historic Landmark will provide more public access to the Chautauqua experience. Perhaps the most significant decision of the year was the appointment of Shelly Benford as Executive Director, dropping the “interim” that preceded her title for several months. Shelly and the CCA staff worked tirelessly all last year to enhance the institution in a preview of what an extraordinary team they promise to become. This year marks Chautauqua’s 120th anniversary. While reviewing historic photographs to commemorate this 2018 milestone, I was struck by how little has changed of the essential core of the place and its people. Corsets are gone, thank goodness—and tents have long given way to sturdy cottages with actual plumbing. But I bet the special aura and essence are much the same. For that, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Texas teachers who saw in Boulder the potential to build a community that would eventually become what is arguably the finest continuously operating example of the chautauqua movement. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the citizens of Boulder who in 1898, even before the existence of a local parks system, demonstrated incredible foresight by approving bonds to purchase the land that would eventually be the site of a National Historic Landmark—an enduring physical and cultural resource for the city, the region and the nation. The “Chautauquan” newsletter of 1898 reported that “The Chautauqua is a moral, intellectual and physical restaurant, run on the a-la-carte plan.” It is remarkable tribute to the founders, and to all those who have contributed over the past 12 decades, that I am able invite you to join us in celebrating the Colorado Chautauqua’s 120th anniversary this summer. Please enjoy this enduring and vibrant cultural, educational and recreational “a-la-carte plan” as we embark on the next 120 years of this marvelous institution. Sincerely, MISSION STATEMENT STATEMENT OF VALUES The mission of the Colorado Chautauqua The Chautauqua experience is based on lifelong Association is to preserve, perpetuate and improve learning, love of nature, voluntary simplicity, and Cindy Schmidt President, Board of Directors the site and spirit of the historic Chautauqua music, oration and the arts. Historic significance, Colorado Chautauqua Association by enhancing its community and values through traditions, cultural relevance, respite and cultural, educational, social and recreational enrichment are among the community benefits experiences. provided by the Colorado Chautauqua. Colorado Chautauqua Association 2 Annual Report 2017 3 letter from the executive director accomplishments TO ALL T H E FRIENDS OF C H AU TAU Q UA , During its heyday in the 19th century, the chautauqua movement was one of the most important cultural institutions of its time, bringing educational and cultural opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people across the United States. Incredibly, after 120 years of sweeping changes in technology—giving virtually everyone access to nearly every imaginable cultural and educational opportunity—the Colorado Chautauqua remains as relevant as ever, attracting more than a million visitors each year with its beautiful trails, charming hospitality, spectacular entertainment and delicious dining. Over the years, tents have evolved into cozy cottages and famous speakers and composers like William Jennings Bryan and John Philip Sousa, who once graced the Chautauqua Auditorium stage, have given way to modern-day activists and songwriters like Ralph Nader and Lyle Lovett—and more recently to the likes of Jon Krakauer and The Gipsy Kings —as the tradition continues with Chautauqua’s music, lectures and film series attracting tens of thousands of year-round visitors. Of course, the thread that weaves through it all are the people who have cared for this special place over the years: the cottagers who return generation after generation, our friends in the preservation community, the volunteers who give so generously of their time, our partners in nearly every department in the City of Boulder, especially City Manager Jane Brautigam and City Attorney Tom Carr, and our dedicated staff and board members whose contributions over the years have made Chautauqua a historical and cultural resource for the region, as well as a nationally-recognized heritage and cultural tourism destination. So, as one person in a long line of stewards of this amazing place, I want to thank the many generous donors, sponsors and members who supported the Colorado Chautauqua in 2017, as well as our partners at the Scientific Cultural and Facilities District, the Colorado Music Festival, Z2 Entertainment, Three Leaf Concepts and all of the other local nonprofit organizations who forward the Chautauqua ideals of lifelong learning, love of nature, voluntary simplicity and music, oration and the arts. Together, I am confident we will find solutions to the challenges that lie ahead, including making Chautauqua more accessible, more sustainable and a place where people continue to explore the best of who we are as humans in this picture-perfect place. Sincerely, © Werner R. Slocum Drive-By Truckers | June 16 & 17, 2017 © Werner R. Slocum Shelly Benford Executive Director Colorado Chautauqua Association Colorado Chautauqua Association 4 Annual Report 2017 5 © Werner R. Slocum accomplishments ARTS & C U LT U R E CCA’s programming mission, and the very root of the Chautauqua ideal, is to bring a diverse offering of cultural and educational programming—including dance, music and the traditions of other cultures and demographics— to the Boulder community. From classical to popular music, silent films to modern dance, authors to actors, and science to theater, CCA delivered yet another season of diverse and quality entertainment. AUDITORIUM DANCE CCA’s action-packed dance events included Block COLORADO MUSIC FESTIVAL 1750’s production of Murmuration, pairing musicians The Colorado Music Festival (CMF) celebrated its 40th and dancers in unexpected combinations to celebrate summer of world-class classical music in 2017. An the talent, creativity and diversity of the greater Denver integral part of Chautauqua’s summer programming, area. Concluding its 46th season, Cleo Parker Robinson CMF hosts talented musicians from all over the country Dance Ensemble’s “Romeo and Juliet” was a refreshing take on the classic, first performed as a ballet in 1938. who come together for six weeks of dynamic classical © Werner R. Slocum © Nico Malvaldi © Daniel Craveiro performances. Meanwhile, New York’s critically-acclaimed dance troupe, Ballets with a Twist, “not your mother’s ballet,” THE 120th SUMMER SEASON IN THE AUDITORIUM served up “Cocktail Hour: The Show,” an intoxicating mixture of original song, dance and style. Named the best Summer Music Series in the Denver metropolitan area, Chautauqua’s 120th Summer Series DOCUMENTARIES brought an eclectic mix of entertainers, including Blind Pilot, Punch Brothers, Lucinda Williams, St. Paul & The Chautauqua highlighted local history with a screening Broken Bones, The Gipsy Kings, Steep Canyon Rangers, of “Neva Romero: Jamas Olvidados,” a documentary TajMo: Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band and many others. The film about a 21-year-old University of Colorado recently announced 2018 summer series broke all CCA undergraduate who was killed, along with two other records for ticket sales and we look forward to another Chicano activists, in a car bomb in May of 1974 at the great season!. Colorado Chautauqua. The documentary is the story of a group of committed young activists working toward SILENT FILMS social justice and one young woman’s struggle to make a difference during a period of collective turmoil. In 2017, CCA celebrated 32 years of silent films, delighting film buffs and moviegoers of all ages. ARTS IN THE OPEN Featured films included “Peter Pan,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “The Scarlet Letter,” starring giants of the silver For the outdoor enthusiast and playwright, Arts in the screen Lilian Gish, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Open hit the trails with classic stories for the whole Harold Lloyd and Douglas Fairbanks. Films were family, including “The Oddest Sea: Greek Gods & accompanied by live music provided by the Mont Alto Giggles” and “The Hound of the Baskervilles: A Sherlock Motion Picture Orchestra, pianist Hank Troy or the Silent Holmes Adventure.” Meanwhile, Public Works Theatre