Founded on a deep appreciation for both art and community, the Crested Butte Arts Festival traces its roots to the late 1960s, when a small yet passionate group of local residents known as the Crested Butte Society came together with a shared vision. Their mission was twofold: to preserve the town’s unique architectural heritage and to cultivate the growing artistic spirit emerging throughout the valley.

This vision came to life in 1971 with the inaugural Crested Butte Arts Fair, an event designed to provide local artists with an annual platform to showcase their work, generate income, and engage meaningfully with the community. What began as an informal gathering of primarily local artisans selling handmade crafts has, over the decades, grown into one of the most respected and competitive juried fine art festivals in the Western United States. Today, the Crested Butte Arts Festival continues to celebrate artistic excellence while honoring its founding commitment to culture, creativity, and community connection.