In addition to its grantmaking the Bee Vradenburg Foundation is deeply committed to researching and supporting efforts to strengthen the sustainability of the arts community and expand awareness and appreciation of its cultural assets.
Local board members Kathleen Collins and Libby Rittenberg serve on the boards of several local arts organizations, and foundation chair Phil Kendall chaired the $5 million Encore Fund capital campaign for renovations to the Pikes Peak Center.
Executive Director Susan Edmondson serves the arts community in a variety of ongoing ways, including serving on the board of Experience Colorado Springs, the Convention & Visitors Bureau; the Colorado Springs Downtown Development Authority board; the board of COPPeR, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region; the leadership council of Imagination Celebration; Pikes Peak Community Foundation Fund for the Arts committee; and the World Arena board, which also oversees the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts.
Since inception in 2003, the foundation and its executive director have been involved in a variety of community initiatives to strengthen the arts. Among the notable efforts and achievements:
- Foundation executive director Susan Edmondson is a co-founder of COPPeR, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, a nonprofit launched in 2007 through the efforts of many community-minded citizens and with the feedback of hundreds of stakeholders.
- Also in 2007, the foundation joined with COPPeR to release Arts & Economic Prosperity, a study of the economic impact of the arts in the Pikes Peak region.
- As the foundation celebrated its fifth anniversary with a reception at the Pioneers Museum, it was announced that the foundation was selected by the board of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Endowment to be the steward of the endowment, now called the Symphonic Music Fund of the Bee Vradenburg Foundation.
- In 2005, Edmondson joined economist Richard Florida, providing a local response to his lecture to a capacity crowd at Colorado College.
- In 2003, Bee Vradenburg Foundation joined with many other local funders to host the Arts Summit, attracting about 150 artists and arts administrators in an event that contributed to the genesis of COPPeR.
- Also in 2003, the foundation led the charge with other funders in creating a challenge grant to preserve symphonic music in the city by supporting the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the successor organization to the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra. The sustainability of a first-rate orchestra remains a high priority for the foundation.
Awards & Recognition
2009
- Board Chair Phil Kendall receives the Business & Arts Leadership Award, presented by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and COPPeR.
- Edmondson is voted Best Arts Advocate by readers of The Independent for the third year in a row.
- Edmondson receives the Modeling the Way Community Leadership Award, presented by Leadership Pikes Peak (friend and colleague Linda Weise wins the LPP Community Inspiration Award that same year).
- Pikes Peak Arts Council presents Edmondson with the It’s About Time Award at the annual Arts / Business / Education luncheon.
2008
- Edmondson is voted Best Arts Advocate by readers of The Independent for the second year in a row.
2007
- Foundation board member Kathleen Collins is named a Woman of Influence by the Colorado Springs Business Journal.
- Edmondson receives the Leadership Service Award, presented by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence on Volunteer Day.
- Edmondson is a finalist for the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award.
- Edmondson is voted Best Arts Advocate by readers of The Independent.
2006
- Board Chair Phil Kendall receives the Makepeace Community Trustee Award, presented by Leadership Pikes Peak.
- Edmondson receives the Ongoing Support for the Arts Award at the annual Arts / Business / Education luncheon.
2005
- The Bee Vradenburg Foundation receives the Outstanding Foundation Award at the annual Partners in Philanthropy luncheon, nominated by Deborah Thornton of Imagination Celebration.
