Herman

Herman Tiemens with his wife, Tang-Lin, and son, Collin. Photos courtesy of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.

Herman Tiemens, Arts and Culture Supporter

  Over the past decade, Broadmoor Bluffs resident Herman Tiemens has become a highly visible supporter of our local arts and cultural community. From the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Arts Month and the Colorado Springs Chinese…

 

Over the past decade, Broadmoor Bluffs resident Herman Tiemens has become a highly visible supporter of our local arts and cultural community. From the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Arts Month and the Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute, to the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, his engagement and philanthropy have made a notable impact on creativity in our region. You might recognize him from the full page ads that faithfully appear on the inside front cover of program books at many local performances.

This year, as he celebrates 10 years in the financial services industry with Wells Fargo Private Bank, I caught up with Tiemens to talk about local arts and culture and his advice for budding philanthropists.

“My love of the arts started at a young age.” he said, describing 13 years of piano lessons, multiple instruments played in four different high school bands, and the high point of winning the John Philip Sousa band award his senior year. Like it has for many of us, early arts education instilled in Tiemens a lifelong appreciation.

“I also have a very personal connection to the arts here in Colorado Springs,” he said proudly, “My sister, Sandra Tiemens, and her husband, Aaron Turner, have both been professional musicians in Colorado Springs for almost 20 years.”

But Tiemens’ interest in the arts extends far beyond brotherly support. He has invested many years in board service, volunteerism and philanthropy to strengthen the creative sector overall, and that comes from a deep belief in the way that art functions for communities.

“We know through economic studies that the arts have a very positive impact on a community,” he said. “They encourage local residents to get out in the community and they encourage visitors to be attracted to a destination. Vibrant arts communities also help employers attract and retain the best talent. I strongly believe the arts make us more creative, more receptive to new things and more compassionate people. They have a way of helping us celebrate diversity and stretching our minds.”

This belief has inspired the local leader to sponsor arts and culture at the corporate level, to create The Tiemens Foundation and to encourage other local philanthropists to get more involved in our local creative community by investing their time and resources. Feeling inspired? Check out “Tiemens’ Tips” for investing in the arts:

1. Get involved with something you’re passionate about.

2. Deepen your engagement beyond just writing a check. Serve on boards, volunteer, and attend exhibitions, performances and other events.

3. Stick with it for the long term. Relationships take time to evolve and grow.

If you need help identifying a local arts and cultural group that fits your interests, the Cultural Office can help. Download our free, comprehensive directory to more than 400 local arts and cultural organizations and groups at tinyurl.com/ktw2qnb. Most of them offer diverse opportunities for volunteering, board service and philanthropy of all kinds.

Plus, when you support local arts, there is one particularly rewarding kick-back.

“For me, supporting the arts is a way to give back to the community while creating opportunities for me to do things that I love to do.” Tiemens said with a smile.

Originally written by Angela Seals of the Cultural Office and published in the Cheyenne Edition on April 12, 2017.