On September 27, 2013, the Tri-Counties’ business publication, Pacific Coast Business Times, announced the winners of their annual “40 Under 40” awards. This special report is dedicated to the next crop of 40 up-and-coming business leaders under the age of 40. The Granada Theatre and The Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts (SBCPA) are proud to recognize and honor their very own Kate Kurlas, Director of Operations, who was honored in this year’s awards.
“We are very proud to celebrate Kate’s achievements,” said Craig Springer, Chrisman Executive Director of the SBCPA. “Our staff, volunteers, and board members are the heart and soul of our wonderful organization and theater. Our shared vision and passion is to enhance the quality of life in the Santa Barbara region by presenting the very best in the performing arts to the widest possible audience. Kate lives this vision daily through the important work she and her team do to operate and maintain The Granada Theatre. We are incredibly grateful to have such a capable leader on our team.”
Kate oversees the daily operations for the SBCPA’s premier venue The Granada Theatre. In this role, she provides direction for the technical production, facility maintenance, and front of house teams (which includes staff and over 200 local volunteers), to ensure the highest quality of performances at the theater and best experience for the audience. Kate also oversees the venue’s marketing and branding activities, as well as serving as the organization’s principle graphic designer.
“I am honored to receive this award, and I can wholeheartedly say this special honor is thanks to the dedicated team that I have the privilege to work with each day,” said Kate Kurlas. “Along with the SBCPA’s administration and operations teams, the wonderful volunteers, and the incredible Board of Directors, I am fortunate to work at such an iconic venue and true Santa Barbara landmark. I am grateful to all my Granada Theatre colleagues for being my inspirational role models, my trusty cohorts, and my true friends.”
In addition to her work with the SBCPA and The Granada Theatre, Kate sits on the board of the local non-profit Santa Barbara Beautiful (SBB) and serves as their Vice President. Formerly SBB’s CFO, Kate has been instrumental in ensuring financial support for community-wide projects including improvement projects at Cleveland, Monte Vista, and Franklin schools, an ongoing Horticulture Scholarship at Santa Barbara City College, and support for nationwide initiatives including National Public Gardens Day. Kate is also a strong advocate for art in public places and was involved in ensuring the completion of the Funk Zone Mural and the mosaic art in the main entrance of the new Santa Barbara Airport.