In the summer of 2025, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region will present the Pikes Peak region’s first professional summit at the intersection of business and creativity. The Level Up! Creative Sector Summit will be held June 25, 2025 from Noon-6:00 p.m. at the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS. This half-day conference will feature inspiring speakers, workshops, a business fair, and networking centering arts and culture as a driver for community success and economic growth. Featuring keynote speakers on how to harness the power of creativity across all sectors, and breakout sessions focused to empower individual creatives and organizations, this will be our region’s newest can’t-miss business summit. Sponsorships are now available. For more information, contact Dylan Craddock at Dylan@CulturalOffice.org, and for ongoing resources and other 2025 Level Up! events, visit https://CulturalOffice.org/Resources/Creative-Business-Resources.
Leading up to the Summit, the Cultural Office will present 3 months of inspiring speakers at the intersection of business and creativity. If you attend all three speaker series events, you will receive discounted tickets to the Creative Sector Summit in June!
To learn more about each event and RSVP, please see the dropdown menu below.
RSVP Below!
Arts and AI is a hot topic, and is next up for our LEVEL UP! Speaker Series.
In this talk, Dr. Martin Key will introduce participants to a foundational approach to the responsible and ethical use of generative AI models. Participants will learn strengths and weaknesses of the technology, how to determine ways to use it to help with common and specialized tasks, as well as dangers and risks related to emerging societal use and threats to artists’ work.
Join Dr. Key, UCCS, and the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region for the next installment of LEVEL UP! on April 17th from Noon-2 pm. Hosted at the Ivywild School Library Room, it is sure to be an impactful lunch and learn!
12:00-12:30 Registration
12:30-1:30 Presentation by Dr. Key
1:30-2:00 Group Discussion and Networking
RSVP HERE
In an era of rapid economic change and uncertainty, the creative economy stands as a powerful driver of innovation, economic vitality, and community resilience. But what does it take for artists, cultural organizations, and creative entrepreneurs to truly thrive—not just survive in this environment?
This session will explore strategies for creative entrepreneurship and economic resilience, drawing from national and international models, including the Washington Creative Economy Strategic Plan, California Creative Corps, Artists Thrive, and Nesta’s Creative Enterprise Toolkit. We’ll discuss strategies to support creative workers, unlock new revenue models, and strengthen cross-sector partnerships that elevate the value of arts and culture in broader economic conversations.
Through real-world case studies and interactive discussion, we’ll uncover ways to strengthen the infrastructure supporting creative businesses and advocate for the role of arts and culture in broader community conversations. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, policymaker, or cultural leader, this session will provide actionable insights to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s economic landscape and shape the future of the creative economy.
Join us as we Level Up! our thinking on the future of creative work, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
Speaker Info: David Holland brings 20 years of experience as a strategy consultant and leader in arts, culture, and the creative economy with nonprofits, higher education institutions, philanthropy, and businesses globally. As Deputy Director of Creative West and Senior Strategic Associate at design strategy firm Scansion, he works at the intersection of arts, business, and policy to drive innovative solutions for the creative sector.
Event Details:
May 16th
3-5 pm
Penrose House Conference Center, the Carriage House
RSVP HERE
LEVEL UP! Creative Sector Summit
- June 25th, 1-6 pm
- Ent Center for the Arts
- Tickets start at $45 (Full Event $85)
Schedule:
- 12:30 pm: Doors open, Registrations, Snacks
- 1-2 pm: Plenary Session, ft. Dr. Tatiana Bailey
- 15 minute break
- 2:15-3:00 pm: Breakout Sessions
- Operating in the Experience Economy
- Arts and Destination Stewardship
- 15 minute break
- 3:15-4:15 pm: Second Plenary Session, ft. Jack Roberts
- 4:15-6:00 pm: Networking Reception, Arts Resource Fair, Free Headshot Booth
RSVP HERE
