I’m truly proud of the work we’ve done together. — Becca Sickbert
Creative Alliance Manitou Springs, also known as CRANE, is going through major changes in mid-2023.
CRANE, the nonprofit organization that operates the city’s state-sanctioned Creative District and oversees Manitou’s public art collection, is looking for a new executive director after Becca Sickbert recently submitted her resignation effective July 31.
Sickbert, an energetic presence on the Manitou arts and culture scene, had served more than three years, also leading the merger of the local Creative District and the Manitou Springs Arts Council to form CRANE in January 2022.
She is leaving to pursue other projects and challenges in the Pikes Peak region.
“It’s been an amazing three years of service to the Manitou Springs creative community,” Sickbert said in a letter to CRANE’s board, “and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m truly proud of the work we’ve done together.”
Among the many projects she has led, guided or helped since 2020 have been Manitou Made, the Turtle Crossings on El Paso Boulevard, Pollination Stations, permanent public art pieces in the Urban Renewal Authority area, coaching and educating applicants for Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage (MACH) tax grants, more than 45 new informational plaques on Manitou’s public art installations, events such as the Manitou Sesquicentennial Celebration and Day of Friendship, and a new CRANE logo and branding with website improvements.
She also won the community Manni Award for the Mover & Shaker category in 2022.
“We have total admiration and gratitude for everything Becca Sickbert has accomplished in her three-plus years with this organization,” said Ralph Routon, CRANE board chair. “She walked into a difficult situation in 2020, just as COVID was beginning to impact our lives.
“Facing uncertain resources and unexpected obstacles, Becca responded with a boundless mixture of energy, enthusiasm and spunk, carving out her own niche by leading the merger of Manitou’s Creative District and Arts Council. She has never slowed down, blazing a trail of community betterment for others to follow. The CRANE board wishes her only the best as she moves on to new challenges.”
Routon added that CRANE invites the community to join in giving Sickbert a proper sendoff at the city’s third annual Day of Friendship on Saturday, July 29, an event she helped start in 2021.
CRANE’s board quickly will rework the job description for the executive director position, then conduct a search for Sickbert’s replacement.
“This is an opportunity for our organization to evaluate our strategic plan, identify new priorities and cultivate our public presence, at the same time that the community revisits Plan Manitou,” Routon said. “We look forward to working even more closely and effectively with the city, the Chamber/Visitors Center, MACH and Manitou’s arts and business scene.”
Other members of the CRANE board include Farley McDonough, Audrey Gray, Edie Greene, Julia Wright, Fred Darpino, Mary Snyder, Jeanne Solze and Taylor Trask.