Denver recognizes events, nonprofits and artists with 2017 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts

The Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts program is, in some ways, more of an institution than many of the cultural warriors it has honored.

Starting in 1986, the Denver program has afforded prestige and recognition to dozens of nonprofits and even individual artists — the latter being a rare designation, since even the National Endowment for the Arts has not recognized individuals in its grants in recent years, owing to controversies during the 1990s culture wars.

The 2017 Mayor’s Awards, which were handed out this week at the McNichols Civic Center Building by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, highlighted a half-dozen cultural luminaries chosen by panelists from the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs, Denver Arts & Venues employees and community members — all designed by previous winner VSA Colorado/Access Gallery.

“These award recipients exemplify Denver’s vibrant and diverse cultural and artistic scene,” Hancock said in a press statement. “Through the work of these dedicated and inspiring individuals and groups, the arts have become more accessible, visible, interactive and integrated into the lives of our residents and visitors.”

While the awards do not come with any cash, past recipients — from museums and galleries to hip-hop acts and dance troupes — have enjoyed an uptick in recognition, attendance and jobs following the award. The Mayor’s office is also likely to select one of this year’s winners for free registration at the upcoming Americans for the Arts conference, which Denver is hosting June 15-17, according to Arts & Venues.

This year’s winners are:

Denver Public Schools’ Shakespeare Festival

Arts & Culture Youth Award

The 34-year-old program is the oldest, largest student Shakespeare fest in the country, Arts & Venues said, and includes thousands of students and teachers from schools across the region. More than 5,000 students from 85-plus schools attended the most recent installment.

Mexican Cultural Center

Arts & Culture Impact Award

The Mexican Cultural Center, established in 1992, promotes and enhances “the perception of Mexican culture and people through travel, cuisine, art, music, handcrafts, cultural events and education.”

Clyfford Still Museum

Arts & Culture Global Award

This unique, internationally renowned museum next to the Denver Art Museum in Sept. 2016 lent nine paintings to the Royal Academy of Arts in London for a major exhibition on Abstract Expressionism, which then traveled elsewhere to draw about 675,000 attendees, prompting judges to say the museum “brings the world to Denver, and Denver to the world.” 

Crush

Arts & Culture Innovation Award

No visitor to Denver’s fast-gentrifying River North neighborhood can miss the large amount of colorful murals, many thanks to the Crush graffiti and street art festival, which was founded by artist Robin Munro in 2010.

Irene Vilar

Imagine 2020 Award

Vilar is founder of Americas for Conservation+Arts, which provides “a forum for artists, conservation activists and educators to unite for positive, impactful efforts within the community,” Arts & Venues officials said. Since 2013, Vilar has also led the Americas Latino Eco Festival, which unites Latino environmental activists, attorneys, artists, policy advocates and more to attack environmental issues.

Floyd Ciruli

Leadership in the Arts Award

Ciruli has worked with the culturally crucial Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, politicos, businesses, media and others since SCFD began in 1988 as a pollster and constant champion, which played a role in SCFD’s decisive reauthorization in the 2016, which lasts through 2030.

“Community Channels” Mural, Stacie Gilmore, District 11

Imagine 2020 District Challenge Award

Community members and Montbello High School students worked Nov. 10-11 with artist Pat Milbery to create a mural in the canal at 51st Avenue and Crown Boulevard, according to Arts & Venues.

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