Illuminate: Lighting the Way for the Arts

Presented by the Fine Arts Center Foundation

Saturday, September 13, 2025, 5:30–8 p.m.

Step into the light and join us for ILLUMINATE, an extraordinary cocktail evening dedicated to celebrating the arts and the enduring light they bring to our community. Hosted by the Fine Arts Center Foundation Board of Directors, this vibrant gathering shines a spotlight on the Fine Arts Center’s rich legacy — and the bright, inspiring future we are building together.

Sip craft cocktails, savor delicious hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy the sounds of live music filling the spaces of our iconic venue.

PURCHASE TICKETS

ILLUMINATE coincides with the opening of Gathering Place, the first comprehensive reinstallation of the museum’s first-floor galleries in nearly a decade. This powerful new exhibition invites our community to explore the diverse histories, cultures, and artistic voices of the Southwest, and beyond, through works from the FAC’s permanent collection.

Did You Know?

377 students saw live theatre through Send a Student — made possible by generous donor support.

Thanks to donors, 70+ new artworks are being acquired, with more gifts of art on the horizon!

Donors gave $750K+ in 2024–25, fueling theatre, exhibitions, and expanded art classes for our community.

Donor gifts help families enjoy free/low-cost events like Family Adventure Days, Send a Student, and Día de Muertos!

2,500+ Colorado College students visited the FAC last school year — deepening learning through donor-backed access.

3,300+ joined us for Día de Muertos in 2024 — 20% were first-time visitors, thanks to donor-funded access!

Throughout the night, you’ll experience a lively blend of creativity, connection, and discovery.

Midway through the evening, we’ll gather for brief remarks as we honor the Fine Arts Center’s impact and invite guests to continue exploring all the FAC has to offer — from our galleries and performance spaces to the creative studios where imagination thrives.

We can’t wait to share this extraordinary night of creativity, connection, and inspiration with you.

Ticket Information

Guest Tickets: $85

Radiance Tickets*: $100

VIP Tickets**: $120

* Radiance tickets are for young professionals interested in engaging more deeply with the arts. This ticket level comes with the commissioned art piece and one drink ticket per person.

**VIP tickets include two drink tickets, an art print commissioned exclusively for the event, and a bottle of wine.

PURCHASE TICKETS

If you are interested in sponsoring ILLUMINATE, please view all event partnership opportunities.

Throughout the evening, you'll experience:

Performing Arts

Encounter pop-up performances that celebrate the energy, creativity, and storytelling spirit of the FAC, including music from Solo Amigos, a latin/jazz/classical quartet based in Southern Colorado.

Visual Arts

Join in for a memorable inside look at our powerful new museum exhibition Gathering Place, including a special ambient performance of Scriptorium con safos: Gathering Place by co-curator Josh T Franco.

Creative Arts

Watch live art demonstrations unfold before your eyes and experience a variety of mediums and techniques presented by our talented Bemis School of Art instructors and Colorado College students.

ILLUMINATE is a celebration and so much more — it’s a philanthropic event with purpose. All proceeds raised from the evening directly benefit the Fine Arts Center’s dynamic programming across our museum, theatre company, and Bemis School of Art. Your support has a profound and lasting impact, helping us ignite new ideas, empower artists and audiences, and bring transformative arts experiences to our community for generations to come.