State of the Arts

Annual City of Littleton Arts & Culture Award

Arts & Culture Award Nominations are now closed for 2026.

Purpose

The City of Littleton Arts and Culture Award may be awarded annually to an individual, group, or organization that exemplifies innovative and creative ways to make meaningful connections within the Littleton community through arts and culture. The award shall be presented at the annual State of the Arts event. Candidates may have demonstrated any of the following through work connected to artistic or cultural entities within the City of Littleton. Examples include but not limited to:

1. Enhanced the engagement of the Littleton public around arts and culture, such as instruction, education, or programming.

2. Influenced or created art spanning across multiple pursuits such as crafts, fine arts, music, and performing arts.

3. Programming centered in social justice and the arts.

4. Demonstrated commitments and authentic partnerships with historically underresourced communities.

5. Donated their generosity in time, space, materials, equipment, and support for arts in Littleton.

Eligibility

Any current or former community member in Littleton that exemplifies principles of innovation, creativity, or connectivity within the arts is eligible to receive the award.

Nomination and Selection

Eligible individuals or groups may be nominated by any citizen or organization located within Littleton. Final selection of the recipient will be made by the ACB prior to the State of the Arts event. The Chair may appoint a committee to review nominees and make recommendations to the Board. Both the winner and all nominees will be notified in advance and invited to attend the State of the Arts event. This policy is subject to change

2026-City-of-Littleton-Arts-and-Culture-Award-Nomination-Guidelines.pdf(PDF, 102KB)

2025 City of Littleton Arts & Culture Award Recipient: Cindy Hathaway

Cindy grew up in greater Littleton , starting a career in banking at Littleton National Bank in 1978, where she became involved with Western Welcome Week (WWW), assisting in the building of elaborate parade floats, and volunteering.

In 1996 she was asked by then WWW President Jerry Healey, owner of the Littleton Independent, to join the board and become the Event Chair, a decision she has never regretted. In 2000 Cindy she became the first executive director. She gladly went to work for an organization to which she is absolutely dedicated, and for a community that she loves.

As the executive Director, Cindy is responsible for the background work for all the events run by the board. She plans and directs the events, sending out emails to crafters, vendors, parade participants, volunteers, and organizations. She manages sponsorships, marketing, including social media, and the volunteer program.

2025 marks Cindy’s 24th year as the Executive Director of Western Welcome Week. She plans to stay until the end of the 100th anniversary, then turn in her executive director name badge and replace it with a volunteer name badge.

2024 City of Littleton Arts & Culture Award Recipient: Sonya Ellingboe

Sonya Ellingboe was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1930 and grew up in Pittsburgh. She adopted Littleton as her hometown after arriving in 1956 with husband John “Jack” Ellingboe, a Marathon Oil scientist.

While raising four children, she became a force in Littleton’s civic and cultural life. She joined or helped launch the League of Women Voters, the Bemis Library Fine Arts Committee, Town Hall Arts Center, the Littleton Business Chamber, the Commission on Human Rights, Littleton Fine Arts Guild, Hudson Gardens, Friends of the Library and Museum, Littleton Garden Club, and Historic Littleton Inc.

Sonya owned The Book House bookstore from 1970 to 1986, and after a two-year stint as a librarian she began her 35-year career as a newspaper writer for The Littleton Times and The Littleton Independent and its sister papers in the Colorado Community Media chain. Her focus was art, music, stage performance, and culture.

After retirement in 2023 at age 93, her body of work consisted of an immense number of articles that glimmer with positivity and encouragement for others to join in the arts community that makes life richer.

Yearly Littleton State of the Arts Reports

2024 State of the Arts Report(PDF, 5MB), issued 2025

2023 State of the Arts Report(PDF, 408KB), issued 2024

2021 & 2022 State of the Arts Report(PDF, 3MB), issued 2022

2021 State of the Arts Report(PDF, 1MB), issued 2021