Congratulations to the 2011 Champion of the Arts AwardWinners
The Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture is proud to announce the winners of the Champion of the Arts Award for 2011. 
 
The business award goes to Roper Music. Roper Music was nominated by Karen Hildebrandt on behalf of the Grand Junction Symphony Board for among other things, their long standing support in donating instruments for the Painted Instrument symphony fundraiser and the Petting Zoo project, which introduces youth to music in the Grand Valley. As stated. "Roper Music exemplifies a commitment to support, sustain and promote the Arts, provide financial donations and underwriting support."

The individual award goes to Chuck and Robbie Breaux. The Breaux's were nominated by Jon Burnham, President of The Art Center's Board of Trustees with additional letters of support. Their ongoing commitment to supporting The Art Center with their leadership, financial support, and volunteerism has been invaluable to make the Art Center as strong and thriving as is today. Additionally the Breaux's support the Grand Junction Symphony and participate in High Desert Opera productions.

The awards will be presented during the City Council meeting on January 16, 2012. Works of art by local artists Sylvia Emery Wilhelm and Cathey Pabst will be presented to the award winners.

Champion of the Arts

Cultural groups, organizations, and local citizens nominate Grand Junction businesses and individuals for this honor to recognize their generosity, dedication, promotion, and support of the arts, and the award winners are selected by the Commission on Arts and Culture. 
In the fall of each year, the Commission on Arts and Culture invites nominations for the two annual Champion of the Arts Awards.  The awards are given to one Grand Junction business (located within the city limits) or organization, and one individual who/that epitomizes leadership, generosity, and dedication towards arts and culture.  The selection criteria are:

 ~ A consistent and on-going commitment to support, sustain & promote arts & culture/artists/arts organizations;
~ Financial donations and underwriting support and/or generous in-kind professional support and assistance;
~ Extensive volunteer time and continued, sincere, above-and-beyond involvement (for individuals).

2011 Champion of the Arts Awards Nominations form

2011 Champion of the Arts Call for Entries form

Congratulations to all of these Champion of the Arts Award winners!

1994 - Norwest Bank (Wells Fargo Bank)
1995 - First Federal Savings Bank  and  Frame Works & Gallery
1996 - Hoskin, Farina, Aldrich & Kampf  and  Haining Plumbing & Heating
1997 - City Market  and  Taco John's (12th Street) 
1998 - Home Loan & Investment,  Elite Expressions,  and Grand Cleaners
1999 - Energy Air Drilling Company  and  Picture This
2000 - Elam Construction, Inc.  and  Working Artists Studio
2001 - Alpine Bank  and  Planet Earth & the 4 Directions Gallery
2002 - Old Chicago Restaurant  and  The Neon Factory
2003 - Cole & Company/Century 21 Realty  and  The Coffee Studio
2004 - Grand Junction Free Press   and   The Crystal Café
2005 - The Daily Sentinel,  Kay Ambrose, and Karen Hildebrandt
2006 - FCI Constructors, Inc.  and  Sara Alyn Oakley
2007 - Arlene Baker & U. S. Bank  and  Connie Robbins-Brady & MCVSD 51 Art Heritage Program
2008 - Enstrom Candies  and  Terry Shepherd, and Honorable Mention 13 Photography
2009 - St. Mary's Hospital & Medical Center, Pamela Blythe of Blythe Group + Co., and Krystyn Hartman/Grand Valley Magazine and Honorable Mention Stephen Boelter
2010 - Wells Fargo & Dean Massey and John & Angie Moss
2011-Roper Music and Chuck & Robbie Breaux