The Business of Arts, Music & Culture explores how creativity shapes Colorado Springs’ economy, identity, and quality of life.
Join us for The Business of Arts, Music & Culture, a Hispanic Heritage Month forum exploring what it will take to strengthen our region’s cultural future.
Presented by the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber Education Foundation, this special convening will bring together business leaders, artists, musicians, cultural organizations, philanthropists, and community partners for a conversation about the future of arts and culture in our region.
As Colorado Springs continues to grow, arts, music, and culture are an important part of what makes our community a place where people want to live, work, visit, create, and invest. This forum will explore how the creative sector contributes to economic vitality, tourism, entrepreneurship, civic identity, and the character of our community, while also recognizing the Hispanic and Chicano cultural traditions that are an important part of Southern Colorado.
Moderated by Phil Martinez, the discussion will bring together perspectives from across the region’s creative and cultural landscape. Members of the panel include:
- Angela Seals, Executive Director, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region
- TerryJosiah Sharpe, Chairman & Co-Founder of AME Industries
- Bernard Sandoval,SANDIA Advertising, Sandoval Fine Art
- Chloe Polhamus, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Philanthropy, VENU and President of VENU Arts & Culture Foundation
- Michael Brotten, CEO, Infinity Artists Group
Together, the panelists bring perspectives spanning regional cultural infrastructure, music and creative entrepreneurship, visual art and civic identity, private investment in arts and entertainment, and artist development and the business of the creative industries.
The program will include a moderated panel discussion, audience questions, and a lightning round asking each panelist to identify one action everyone in the room can take during the next year to strengthen arts, music, and culture in Colorado Springs.
Guests are invited to stay following the discussion for a networking reception, refreshments, and an opportunity to connect with panelists, artists, sponsors, business leaders, and community partners.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 15, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Room at Roth’s Sea & Steak.
Guest Arrival and Registration: 4:45 p.m.
Program Begins: 5:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion and Audience Q&A: 5:15 to 6:35 p.m.
Networking Reception: 6:40 to 7:30 p.m.
Join us for an evening of conversation and connection focused on strengthening arts, music, and culture as an essential part of Colorado Springs’ economic and cultural future.
About the Panelists:
Terryjosiah Sharpe
Chairman & Co-Founder, AME Industries
Combat veteran, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
Terryjosiah Sharpe works at the intersection of business, community, and the
arts. Through civic engagement and partnerships with organizations and
community leaders, he champions the creative economy as a catalyst for economic
growth, cultural vitality, and community healing across the Pikes Peak Region.
Michael Brotten
CEO, Infinity Artists Group
Michael brings the business of music directly into the
conversation. Through Infinity Artists Group, his work encompasses professional
artist representation, contract negotiation, national and international tour
management, event planning, and the practical business support artists need to
build sustainable careers.
Chloe Polhamus
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives &
Philanthropy, VENU and
President of VENU Arts & Culture Foundation
Chloe brings a private sector and philanthropic
perspective to the conversation. Her work connects entertainment, community
investment, and expanded access to arts and culture, including leadership of
the VENU Arts & Culture Foundation and its support for local artists,
musicians, education, and cultural programming.
Bernard Sandoval
SANDIA Advertising SANDOVAL Fine Art
Bernard unites fine art, design, marketing strategy, and
civic engagement. A longtime Colorado Springs artist and entrepreneur, he has
helped shape the growth of local businesses and the identity of the city
itself, including his instrumental role in creating the Olympic City USA brand
and logo.
Angela Seals
Executive Director, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak
Region (COPPR)
Angela brings a regional perspective on the role arts and
culture play in economic development, tourism, community identity, and quality
of life. Through COPPR, she works across the creative sector to strengthen
cultural participation, investment, advocacy, and the infrastructure that
supports artists and cultural organizations.
