CASE Committee Packet Materials 2025.08.21
970-748-4072 cvanwinkle@avon.org
TO: CASE Committee FROM: Chelsea Van Winkle, Senior Special Events Coordinator
RE: Staff Update
DATE: August 21, 2025
SUMMARY: This report provides updates and activity related to the (1) 2026 Proposed Budget (2) Breck
Create Site Tour (3) Colorado Creative Summit (4) Art Guild at Avon January – June 2025 (5) Salute to the
USA and (6) Year-Round Food Truck RFP.
STAFF UPDATE:
1. 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET: The 2026 CASE budget is proposed to remain flat compared to the
2025 adopted budget. The 2026 calendar and proposed budget will be reviewed in a future
meeting.
2. BRECK CREATE SITE TOUR RECAP: In spring 2025, CASE Committee members, Vail Valley Art
Guild members and Town Staff toured Breck Create, a nonprofit organization operating a 14-
building creative campus in downtown Breckenridge, CO. The campus includes historic cabins
repurposed for arts use and two purpose-built facilities for ceramics and glassblowing.
Breck Create represents a mature, community-integrated model for arts programming. Its blend of
town support earned revenue, and strategic planning highlights opportunities for Avon as it looks to
expand its own arts and culture efforts. While every community is unique, Breck Create offers
strong inspiration in its collaboration, sustainable funding, and facility management that could be
adapted thoughtfully to suit Avon’s needs and aspirations.
The Town contributes 60% of Breck Create’s operating funding. The remaining 40% is generated
from a mix of earned income and private donations. Breck Create is a Certified Colorado Creative
District and currently engaged in their second 10-year strategic plan.
a. Organization and Operations: Independent Nonprofit organization formed in 2014 to
support and promote arts in the Breckenridge community.
i. Resident Companies: Has three resident companies/ local arts nonprofits that they
partner with to provide space, resources, marketing, etc. (Breck Film, NRO, Backstage
Theater).
ii. Staffing: 15 full-time staff members. Coordinators have the highest turnover; senior
leadership is consistent and strong.
iii. Strategic Planning: Working with an outside agency (Corona Insights) on their next
strategic plan, with a focus on increasing community engagement and feedback.
b. Funding
i. 60% of the total operating budget is provided by the Town of Breckenridge from the
general fund grant (no specific tax or special district).
ii. 40% of the rest of the funding comes from earned income sources, included but not
limited to:
o Riverwalk Center ticketing fees
o Workshop and camp registration
o Artist studio use fees
o Private donor support for artist residencies
970-748-4072 cvanwinkle@avon.org
o State Creative District grant (up to $10,000 annually)
o Sponsorships (mostly for events)
iii. The non-profit has a minimal reliance on direct fundraising campaigns, which helps
reduce competition with peer nonprofits.
c. Facilities and Campus Layout: Breck Create manages 14 buildings, mostly historic and
retrofitted for artistic use.
i. New Construction: Purpose-built facilities for ceramics and glassblowing designed
specifically for those programs.
ii. Riverwalk Center: A Town-owned performance venue used for programming and
nonprofit events; considered an in-kind contribution.
iii. Artist Residency: Includes living quarters and workspaces; artists are provided with a
small stipend and teach public classes in schools and on the campus.
iv. Precious Plastics Barn is one of the historic buildings and is a community-driven plastic
recycling initiative that repurposes materials into art and functional objects. Very
unique and special to Breckenridge.
v. Backstage and Eclipse Theatre: they manage the facilities and own the building but not
the programming.
d. Programming and Community Engagement
i. Breckenridge International Festival of Arts is the organization’s flagship annual event
taking place in August each year. There are activations throughout Breck Create, in
town and on trails.
ii. Open Studios: Year-long artist residencies with opportunities to sell work and engage with
the public.
iii. Youth and Adult Programming: Year-round workshops, creative camps, and exhibitions.
iv. Current programming perceived to lean toward visitors and immersive experiences,
limited visual art exhibition space for locals.
v. Breck Create is focusing on community feedback for their next strategic plan. The
strategic plan aims to improve local artist engagement and gather broader community
input.
e. Key Takeaways for Avon
i. Successful Town-Nonprofit Partnership: Strong financial and logistical support from the
Town of Breckenridge contributed to Breck Create’s launch and sustainability.
ii. Creative District Model: Offers a useful reference for applying to Colorado Creative
Industries and maximizing small grants.
iii. Campus Design: Walkable layout integrates arts with the historic downtown core,
enhancing visitors’ experience and community identity.
iv. Innovative Use of Recycled Materials: Precious Plastics program is a replicable example
of arts-based environmental stewardship.
v. Infrastructure Investment: Initial Town capital investment and ownership of buildings
reduced startup barriers and created lasting community assets.
3. COLORADO CREATIVE SUMMIT RECAP: The report provides a summary of the Colorado
Creative Industries (“CCI”) Summit and includes feedback from the five attendees, including a
CASE Committee Member and Town Staff. Individuals attended the CCI Summit to learn more
about the Grand Junction community as a Colorado Creative District designation and to attend
970-748-4072 cvanwinkle@avon.org
sessions relevant to the enhancement of the Town’s Arts and Culture initiatives. The full report is
available on page 420 of the Council Packet Materials.
4. ART GUILD AT AVON YTD JANUARY – JUNE 2025: The report presents initial data on the Art
Guild at Avon (“Guild”) activities, workshops, kids programming, and events, from January 1 and
June 30, 2025. The full report is available on page 677 of the Council Packet Materials.
5. SALUTE TO THE USA RECAP: The report summarizes findings and observations from the 39th
Annual Salute to the USA event on July 3, 2025. It includes Staff input, operational review and the
Intercept Insights 2025 Survey Results. The full report is available on page 646 of the Council
Packet Materials.
6. YEAR-ROUND FOOD TRUCK RFP UPDATE: On April 25, 2025, the Town of Avon released a
Request for Proposal (“RFP”) for the year-round food truck location on W. Benchmark Road,
between Avon Station and the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, adjacent to the railroad tracks.
Three proposals were submitted by Rocky Mountain Taco, Tacos y Mariscos El Pariente, and
House of Vibes. A selection committee, comprised of Town of Avon staff, reviewed all submissions
and awarded the three-year agreement to Rocky Mountain Taco. The full report will be available in
the August 26, 2025 Council Packet Materials.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEAMS:
1. 2026 Proposed Budget & Calendar
2. 2026 Summer Events Recap
3. Resolution 25-17: Culture, Arts & Special Events (CASE) Committee Rules of Procedure 4. Main Street Mall Redesign
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Breck Create Site Tour Photo Gallery
Thank you, Chelsea.
Breck Create
May 20, 2025
CASE Committee Peer Community
Site Visit: Breck Create
Breck Create
May 20, 2025
Breck Create: Art District
Breck Create
May 20, 2025
Historic Buildings on Breck Create Walkable Campus
Breck Create
May 20, 2025
Historic Buildings on Breck Create Walkable Campus
Breck Create
May 20, 2025
New Buildings –Ceramics Studio & Glass Blowing
Breck Create
May 20, 2025
Artists in Residency Spaces
Breck Create
May 20, 2025
Precious Plastics Building