By Camron Bridgford, JVA Consulting
Driven by entrepreneurship, social change and urban investment, Denver is a city moving forward to meet community needs while also remaining respectfully aware of and paying tribute to its history. After reading an insightful article by Eric Peterson via Confluence Denver, I’ve been thinking about the old and the new of Denver, and how the melding of these two identities makes for an increasingly livable, vibrant community that provides residents with needed resources, thoughtful public space and unique character.
On August 4, I had the pleasure of seeing an old colleague and friend, Kristin Fong, give a community lecture on a Helen Frankenthaler painting at the American Museum of Western Art̶The Anschutz Collection. Experiencing the offerings of this beautiful, historic museum–which exhibits over 300 works of art that opened to the public in 2010–was the perfect analogy of the old and the new working together to create better. In 2010, the American Museum of Western Art became the permanent home for The Anschutz Collection, then a private art collection that surveys the art of the American West from the 19th century to present, donated by businessman billionaire and philanthropist Philip Anschutz.
“The collection at the museum tells the history of art and the West through each artist’s eyes. As a whole, the collection contributes to the narrative of westward expansion and progress, and the American spirit and entrepreneurship,” Fong explains.
There are few greater names associated with philanthropy in Colorado than Anschutz. While distinct and separate entities, the Anschutz Foundation, founded by Philip and Nancy Anschutz, and the Anschutz Family Foundation, founded by Fred and Marian Pfister Anschutz, parents of Philip, have contributed greatly to improving the landscape of Denver while also preserving this city’s unique history. The Anschutz family has touched many sectors in this town, including social and human services, youth, arts and culture, medicine and higher education. To give an idea of the breadth of giving, the Anschutz Family Foundation alone has distributed more than 7,700 grants totaling $39 million to nonprofit organizations since its inception in 1982.
The Anschutz Collection, housed in the same historic building at 17th Street and Tremont as the Anschutz Foundation, represents one of the most recent, significant contributions of this philanthropic family to making Denver a more livable and vibrant city. The collection, by annually offering more than 3,000 individuals and school children an artistic glimpse into the West’s history, has provided Denver with a new cultural gem.
“The Anschutz Collection’s greatest focus moving forward is on accessibility,” Fong says. This effort has meant the creation of an audio guide to walk visitors through the collection; an increase in school groups; participation in Colorado Day on August 1, 2014; and testing Saturday admittance on October 11, 2014 to bring more individuals through its door.
Whether through expanding arts and culture in Denver, or providing funds to support homelessness prevention, civic and community building, youth development or increased literacy, the name Anschutz is synonymous with the story of The Anschutz Collection: westward expansion. This art collection and this name make one think about how appreciating both our past history and our spirit for change can reap great benefits for the community in which we live.
The American Museum of Western Art: The Anschutz Collection is located at 1727 Tremont Place in Denver. You can find hours and purchase tickets online at www.AnschutzCollection.org.
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