Carrie Glassburn has her perfect job at the Town of Parker (Town). As the cultural director of Parker Arts, Carrie has a variety of responsibilities. She selects mural artists and bands to book for the upcoming season at Discovery Park, the downtown amphitheater; she writes grant proposals for new cultural initiatives; she presents to Town Council and gets elbow deep into data and budgets. Carrie also runs the public art program for the Town and holds outreach programs at senior centers and schools. Carrie’s duties also cover booking concerts and events for several venues, including the PACE Center, The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet and the Parker Heritage Center.

Carrie said that the scope of what makes up art is vast and can be challenging: visual arts, culture, heritage, history, performing arts, science—all of which fall within her purview.

“It’s such a wide spectrum; the tough part is figuring out how to do it all in a way that makes a real impact, especially for the people who need it most,” Carrie said. She continued that it can feel overwhelming, but giving back to communities is thrilling for her.

Carrie, a first generation American, was born in Littleton and has lived in Douglas County since 1982, minus a few years for college at CU Boulder. Her British father (her mom was Scottish) was a professional musician, playing gigs at weddings, fundraiser galas, bar and bat mitzvahs and big social events. Naturally, Carrie and her sister learned to play the piano, and Carrie also learned the flute. She turned down a music scholarship, instead choosing to study fine arts in college. After an internship at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, she changed her major and graduated with an advertising degree. She also earned an MBA from CU Denver.

Carrie put her degree and skills to work at the Douglas County News Press and then at the corporate offices of Big O Tires before moving to a large brand agency where she was able to be more creative on global Procter & Gamble brands.

At the time, Carrie had significant business travel and a young daughter Erin, so she jumped at the chance to return to her love of the arts when she got a job with the Town’s Cultural Department in 2013. “It brought me back to the heart of what I’ve always loved: art, music, theater, and community. It felt like coming full circle,” Carrie said.

Over the years, Carrie has held several positions, including overseeing marketing and advertising, managing outreach and development as well as box office teams. In 2020, she shifted again into her current position.

While not at work, Carrie attends events in the arts around Denver and spends time with Erin, who is studying nursing in Arizona. Carrie also visits her sister and family in Highlands Ranch and can be found on the hiking trails around Douglas County with her two dogs.

Carrie is encouraged by the positive impact the arts have on everyone. “The arts may not be ‘necessary’ in a literal sense, but they are absolutely vital,” Carrie concluded. “We introduce children to the magic of theater, help families create lasting memories, bring beauty to everyday spaces, and offer moments of joy, reflection and inspiration.”

 

By Celeste McNeil, photos courtesy of Carrie Glassburn