During the early 1960’s, a group of dedicated volunteers started the Denver Civic Ballet.  This organization managed the production of at least three ballet performances each year. Because of the support of the Denver Civic Ballet, young ballet dancers were able to experience dancing on the professional stage at the Denver Auditorium Theater.  As the Ballet grew, a guild was formed  for fundraising and recruiting volunteers.  Mrs. Ann Law was the founder of the Denver Civic Ballet Guild.  Along with Mrs. Vivian Tate and Mrs. Mary Green, the Guild conceived the idea of having an annual Ball recognizing young ladies for their scholastic achievement and accomplishments in the community. Even though the original plan was to have the young ladies called Honorees, the name soon evolved to Debutantes. The first Ball was held on a beautiful summer evening in 1969 at the Cherry Hills Country Club.

Subsequently, several leaders wished to focus on the ballet dance art culture while others thought all forms of cultural arts endeavors should be recognized.  Thus, the Fine Arts Foundation was formed in 1986 and held its first fund-raiser, The Summer Debutante Ball, in June at the Cherry Hills Country Club. In 1989,  the Foundation established the Citizen of the Arts award to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions and involvement in the arts community. In 2000, the Foundation’s first Jubilee was held to honor the Citizen of the Arts.  This event takes place in February at the Brown Palace and includes the “Hearts for the Arts” silent auction and an elegant dinner. Entertainment is provided by several fine arts organizations which are beneficiaries of the Foundation. In 2001, the Foundation moved the location of The Summer Debutante Ball to the University of Denver’s Graduation Green.  The new “Robert and Judi Newman Performing Arts Center” at the University of Denver includes the Fine Arts Foundation Recital Hall Green Room.

Board Members

President:   Jody Phelps

President Elect:  Murri Bishop

Past President:  Kitty Gregg

Vice President:  Gail Nash

Asst. Vice President:  Carolyn Dunn Kepner

Vice Presdient Grants:  Karen Fisher

Grants Liaison:  Mary Melland

Asst V.P. Grants:  Jennifer Fronk

V.P. Membership:  Annie Achee

Asst V.P. Membership:  Jane Wiltshire

Asst V.P. Membership:  Janie Prendergast

V.P. Development:  Hilde Gill Kaiser

Asst. VP Development: Julia Scheele

V.P. Marketing:  Susan Stiff

On the Town Chair:  Anne Green

Asst. V.P. Marketing:  Mary McNicholas

Treasurer:  Pat Elliott

Asst. Treasurer:  Lynn Cahen

Asst. Treasurer:  Lauri Speich

Recording Secretary:  Gwen Lake

Admin Secretary:  Mariette Blackett

Endowment Fund Chair:  Judy Girardot

Strategic Planning Chair:  Margo Schlup

Ball Chair:  Lynn Hinkle

Ball Co-Chair:  Mary Ann Henry

Jubilee Chair:  Lynn Wong

Jubilee Co-Chair:  Jeanne Shannon

Board Advisor:  Vivian Tate

Board Advisor:  Rhondda Hartman

Historian:  Jan McCusker

Parlimentarian:  Kitty Gregg

Hospitality Chair:  Toni Oakes Sexton

Newsletter Chair:  Kitty Gregg

Proofing Chair:  Claudette Erek

Webmaster:  Cindy Denkenberger

DU Liaison:  Lynn Hinkle

Nominating Chair:  Mary McNicholas

Nominating Committee:  Pat Elliott

Nominating Committee:  Gail Nash

Nominating Committee:  D'Wayn Stone

Nominating Committee:  Jean Watt

Debutante Grant Liaison:  D'Wayn Stone

Honors Selection Comittee Member at Large:  Liz Frawley

Honors Selection Committee:  Charleen Dunn

Honorary Board Member:  Sherrye Berger

Honorary Board Member:  Margaret Cunningham

Honorary Board Member:  Phyllis VanderArk