Undiscovered Earth advances creativity by empowering artists to live, work, and thrive in Northwest Colorado. We actively identify and respond to community needs, bridging the gaps between existing resources and vital opportunities to nurture artistic growth and cultural enrichment.
Our Team
“Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.”― Vesta M. Kelly
Jennifer Grathwohl
Board Chair & Secretary
Jennifer Grathwohl is the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra’s Executive Director. With over 15 years of experience working side by side with non-profits throughout the country, she takes pride in her ability to build strong partnerships, execute successful events and programs, and help non-profits fulfill their mission and vision through strategic planning. Jennifer is also a visual artist often paying homage to endangered and threatened animal species. Jennifer currently serves as the Routt County Humane Society Board of Directors Vice-Chair, Steamboat Skating Club Board of Directors Chair, Undiscovered Earth Board Chairman, and as a Steamboat Springs Chamber Board of Directors Member.
Barb King
Vice President
Barbara King is co-publisher of Art with Altitude Magazine, elevating the arts in Northwest Colorado. Barb has worked in book and magazine design, marketing and event planning for more than 40 years. She has won numerous design awards and has presented “Marketing and Image Design for Small Businesses,” at seminars, to organizations and college classes. She has served on nonprofit boards in marketing and event planning roles.
Holly Nelson
Treasurer
Holly Nelson has a keen interest in both the performing and visual arts and has volunteered for both since moving to Steamboat in 2003. She is a former president of the Strings Guild and continues volunteering at the Pavilion and with the Kitchen and Garden tour. She joined the Steamboat Strings Arts Council Board around 2005, serving for a number of years. Before then, she served as a docent at the depot with gallery sitting and other activities. Holly continues as a volunteer with Steamboat Creates. Her other interests include gardening, photography, cross country skiing and learning to make pottery. In her past life, she served as a special assistant to a Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor and at the state level as a manager for the Medicaid program.
Jim Cook
Board Member
A real estate broker/owner and developer, Jim is celebrating his 54th year in the real estate industry. Beginning in South Bend, Indiana, Jim was responsible for multiple mixed-use projects in the urban corridor while serving as a board member on the South Bend Re-Development Commission, South Bend Heritage Foundation, Indiana Association of Realtors and president of the South Bend-Mishawaka Board Of Realtors. Jim brought the Prudential real estate name to Steamboat (later to become Sotheby’s) and later founded, with his son, Colorado Group Realty, now known as The Group. Currently operating as an independent broker specializing in commercial real estate with an emphasis on development consulting and leasing, Jim was a founding member of Main Street for downtown Steamboat Springs, a former board member of the Steamboat Arts Council, now known as Steamboat Creates, and a long-time board member of Perry Mansfield, one of the nation’s oldest performing arts camp. His urban development experience carried over to Steamboat where he was a creator and partner in such properties as Howelsen Place, Alpen Glow, Anglers Retreat, Mid Valley Business Center and has been very instrumental in the re-development of the Yampa Street corridor. Jim is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
Lara Craig
Board Member
Lara Craig is a lifelong resident of Steamboat Springs. Growing up in Steamboat, she had a unique opportunity to develop a love of music at a time when the performing arts in Steamboat was just budding. The piano instruction she experienced throughout her childhood eventually led her to study piano pedagogy at Baylor University. Ultimately, she chose to pursue French and English as a major course of study but has maintained her participation with music throughout both of her children’s classical music instruction by accompanying their recitals and performances. Retiring in 2019 with 30 years of experience as an educator in Texas and in Colorado, Lara taught middle school language arts, social studies, French, and choir in the Steamboat Springs Middle School. She has served her community in various capacities including Historic Preservation Advisory Commission and Grand Futures Prevention Coalition. Currently, Lara serves as a member of the Steamboat Springs School District Board of Education as well as a member of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Board of Directors. Lara’s belief in the power of music to inspire, to create beauty, and to connect with others is central to her dedication to the SSO. Lara has supported orchestral music in the Yampa Valley for the last four years as a member of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, serving the last two years as Board Chair.
Dagny McKinley
Executive Director
Dagny served as the Executive Director of the Colorado New Play Festival, taking them from a family run organization to a professional non-profit creating connections in the community through new youth programs, collaborations, and a robust marketing plan. She diversified their income sources and set them on a path to becoming a community recognized asset. Prior to that she worked as the Development Director of Steamboat Creates for four years, spearheading the efforts to renovate the historic caboose into an artist studio, rehabilitating Bliss Hall, coordinating their strategic plan in 2019 and overseeing a feasibility study for a performing art center in Steamboat Springs. She currently serves on the Mineral Springs Protection Committee through the City of Steamboat Springs, is on the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts advocacy committee. She leads walking tours for the Tread of Pioneers Museum and is a published author and photographer.
We envision a future where all creatives in NW Colorado thrive, empowered with the support and resources they need to inspire, transform, and unite our community through the power of their art.
Youth Board
Serving on Undiscovered Earth’s Youth Board provides helpful leadership experience to impact the community while also building your resume for future career opportunities. The youth board, as a whole, will have one vote on the Undiscovered Earth boardResponsibilities include:
- Gathering data for the expansion of the Prescription for the Arts program to people over 18 in October 2025
- Creating youth programming for Wildhorse Cinemas
- Fundraising efforts
- Outreach, advisory and educational opportunities through solutions‐based conversations and initiatives.
- Members serve a one-year term and must reapply for subsequent terms.
Ideal members will:
- Have an open mind and willingness to learn;
- Be able to receive feedback and process that feedback;
- Be able to commit the necessary time;
- Be interested in creating change through cross-system collaboration