Deborah Jordy on Connecting Business With Creativity, and Connecting Artists With Lawyers

Denver has a winning reputation — and not just because of the Denver Broncos. This city's arts scene is renowned across the country, and for our annual Winter Arts Guide we asked a dozen people intrinsic to that scene a few questions about the state of the arts in Denver.

Here are the answers from Deborah Jordy, executive director of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, which is holding a sold-out Business for the Arts Awards luncheon on March 9.

Westword: What are three things any newcomer to Denver should know about the arts scene?

Deborah Jordy: Oops, I have four. Plus, I love the Art Hotel — best place to hang out and see stunning contemporary art. (1) Scientific and Cultural Facilities District: The SCFD is the backbone of cultural funding in metro Denver, distributing $52 million in 2014 to 275 organizations of all sizes in all seven counties. (2) Red Rocks Amphitheatre — greatest outdoor concert venue, winter or summer. (3) Clyfford Still Museum — there is nothing else like it. (4) KUVO — hands-down, the best jazz radio station in the U.S. Any hour of the day, you can tune in and hear everything from beautiful Afro-Cuban pop to jazz standards to the blues.

What developments on the arts scene are you excited about this year?

RiNo arts district and, for that matter, many of the arts and creative districts in metro Denver. Denver’s indie music scene.

Who/what are the artists/arts organizations to watch this year?

Brad Cloepfil at Denver Art Museum: Case Work: Studies in Form, Space & Construction by Allied Works Architecture, on now; and the Women of Abstract Expressionism exhibition June 12 through September 25. Pirate Gallery, Phil Bender show, March 18 through April 3. Fulginiti Pavilion exhibitions at the Anschutz Medical Campus. Wonderbound, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Curious Theatre Company, Phamaly Theatre Company.

What’s exciting at your own organization/institution?

Our newest program at the CBCA, Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA), is here to connect artists and creative businesses with pro bono legal services. A new program of Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, CAFTA believes in advancing artists’ careers and growing creative industries by partnering with our legal community. CAFTA’s volunteer attorneys assist with a variety of legal issues, such as licensing agreements, gallery contracts, copyright or trademark registration, studio-lease negotiations, management contracts, nonprofit formation, etc.

Visit coloradoattorneysforthearts.org to learn more.