Dan Prather

Dan Prather is the unsung hero behind Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA)’s Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture (EAS), a biennial research report which validates the significance of arts, cultural and scientific organizations on the metro Denver region. Dan’s participation in the study focused on the analysis and presentation of the economic data, including fine-tuning the study’s methodology over time. The 2021 study was Dan’s 10th study over a span of 20 years!

CBCA first published the EAS in 1992. For over 30 years, this study has illustrated the comprehensive role arts and culture have on the metro region’s economic vitality, workforce development and overall quality of life. It analyzes self-reported data from approximately 300 nonprofit organizations that received funds from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) in the seven-county area, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties. 

Dan’s largest in-kind contribution over these many years, was analyzing and shaping CBCA’s study to become the region’s most influential and highly regarded published research report that measures the financial and social impact of nonprofit arts and culture. The EAS serves as an advocacy tool amplifying the return on investment for public arts support. It has long served as a resource for the arts community to tell their story, but also as a tool for government, business and civic leaders to champion the arts.

The study examines jobs, tourism, capital spending, philanthropy and access to the arts. The report includes attendance and education outreach, such as school-aged children reached through arts, culture and scientific organizations funded through SCFD. The EAS is released at a community event attended by 300+ people, and then CBCA presents the study highlights to a variety of regional leaders and elected officials reaching another 400+ individuals. 

In addition to Dan’s leadership on the EAS, he served on the CBCA Board for many years. He’s a steadfast arts and business champion who has led critical economic impact research on regional arts and culture for over two decades. Were it not for Dan’s expertise and volunteer service, CBCA wouldn’t have been able to tell our regional arts story in such a relevant, inspiring and impactful way. Thus, we believe Dan is deserving of this recognition, having demonstrated long-term dedication, innovation and impact, as well as validating the economic significance of the arts, ultimately helping position the Denver metro region as a cultural hub.

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*Each organization nominated their honoree with an essay. Those essays are posted here, as submitted, to maintain the organization's unique voice and authenticity.

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