The Crested Butte Arts Festival began through the vision of a small, dedicated group of residents known as the Crested Butte Society. In the late 1960s, these founders sought to protect the town’s architectural heritage while fostering the growing artistic community within the valley.

In 1971, the Society organized the inaugural Crested Butte Arts Fair. This event established an annual platform for local artists to showcase their work, generate income, and engage with the community, significantly enhancing the cultural landscape of the rural area. Initially an informal gathering of local artisans selling handmade crafts, the event has since transformed into one of the most prestigious and competitive juried fine art exhibitions in the Western United States.