2026 Arts Ball
July 9 @ 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Join us on Thursday, July 9, 2026 for Crested Butte’s most fun charitable event, the Arts Ball. No long programs. No endless speeches. Just pure celebration of the arts and the people who make it thrive.
This year, 250 guests will gather for an unforgettable night, honoring Carol Ann May with the fourth annual Steddy Award for her civic and philanthropic contributions to the Crested Butte community. The evening will include lively cocktail hour-and-a-half, an elegant dinner from Chef Matt Santor, a thrilling live auction, and an electric after-party with live music from the Jacob Larson Band.
The Arts Ball is a night to connect, celebrate, and invest in the future of the arts in Crested Butte.
Dress Code: Dress to impress in your best blues! Cocktail attire encouraged; think polished, festive, and bold. We invite you to wear blue in honor of Carol’s role in bringing our “Big Blue” Center for the Arts building to life.
If you would like to pay by check, please contact development@crestedbuttearts.org.
Want to sit with your friends? Purchase a table for a personalized seating arrangement; Ultramarine, Cobalt, and Lapis tables allow you to choose your guests! Individual ticket holders will be seated by our team, and while we’ll do our best to create a great experience for everyone, we may not be able to accommodate specific seating requests.
Schedule of Events
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail Hour sets the tone with thoughtfully crafted cocktails, fine wines, and savory bites. During this time, guests are invited to explore the Big Board Auction, featuring a curated collection of exclusive experiences, local treasures, and artful indulgences that directly support the Center for the Arts.
Dinner + Live Auction
Enjoy a gourmet dinner by Chef Matt Santor of Crested Butte Catering, expertly paired with fine wine, set within the stunning setting of the Steddy Theater. Then, feel the thrill of our live auction, where exclusive getaways, private dining experiences, and breathtaking artwork spark lively bidding wars. Your presence (and your paddle) helps sustain the vibrant creativity that makes our community so special.
After-Dinner Dance Party + Dessert Bar
Finally, enjoy a decadent dessert bar and step onto the dance floor with the Jacob Larson Band (everyone’s favorite from Alpenglow 2025!), a seven-piece funk and soul ensemble
Honoring Carol Ann May
The Center for the Arts will present the fourth annual Steddy Award to Carol Ann May at the Arts Ball on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The award recognizes individuals who have shown steadfast support for the Center’s mission and made meaningful contributions to the Crested Butte community. Carol has spent more than 50 years supporting nonprofits, from early volunteer fundraising with the Detroit Symphony to a career as Senior Vice President of Development at the National Audubon Society. Since moving to Crested Butte full-time in 2008, she has played a key role in many local organizations and helped lead the capital campaign for the Center’s new building, completed in 2019.
The Arts Ball will be a fun, high-energy evening with dinner, dancing, live entertainment, and a blue-themed celebration in honor of Carol’s role in bringing “Big Blue” to life. The evening serves as a celebration of Carol’s legacy and an opportunity to come together in support of the Center’s future.
