Honoring Katie Kurcz: A SCUBI Highlight

As we celebrate Katie Kurcz’s birthday, we are reminded of the joy, care, and creativity she shared with everyone around her. Katie’s spirit continues to shine through the Katie Kurcz Memorial Fund, which empowers Snow City Arts Teaching Artists to dream boldly and create transformative projects with young people in hospitals.

This year, we’re thrilled to highlight Teaching Artist and 2025 Kurcz Fund Awardee, Bree Gordon, who has officially launched the Snow City Ukulele Band Initiative (SCUBI)!

Through SCUBI, Bree provides high-quality ukuleles to students who want to keep playing long after their bedside workshops. Each student who receives a ukulele becomes a lifelong member of the SCUBI community, with access to instructional videos, chord charts, and opportunities to personalize their instruments through art and design. Bree is building a joyful, lasting network of young musicians, and we can’t wait to see a SCUBI band performing at future Snow City Arts events.

“SCUBI reaches students immediately and lasts a lifetime.” — Bree Gordon

Katie believed deeply in connection, access, and care through the arts. With your support, projects like SCUBI are bringing that belief to life by creating moments of joy and belonging for students this year, and nurturing creativity that will last far beyond their hospital stay.

As we remember Katie today, we invite you to make a gift to the Katie Kurcz Memorial Fund and help her legacy continue to thrive. Your generosity directly fuels innovations that make hospital arts education more joyful, inclusive, and personal.

Thank you for remembering Katie with us and for uplifting the creativity of young people who deserve every opportunity to shine.