The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, which funds Denver arts, appointed James-Allan Holmes as the next president and CEO after a national search, a news release Monday from the organization said.

Holmes steps in Feb. 15, filling the position previously held by Gary Steuer, who announced his resignation in October after more than 12 years with the foundation.

Steuer said he has simply decided “it is time to move on.”

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation invests anywhere from $3 million to $5.5 million a year in arts, culture and nonprofit leadership in the Denver area through grants and fellowships.

It also focuses on promoting equity and serving historically marginalized communities.

Holmes praised the foundation’s consistency in showing up for artists and cultural organizations in Denver, saying he’s “honored” to fill the role.

“The chance to carry that work forward — especially where advocacy can help unlock broader, systems-level support — felt uniquely meaningful to me,” Holmes said in the release. “I’m honored to step into this role, build on what’s working, and use creative problem-solving to strengthen long-term support for arts and culture locally and nationally.”

Holmes was previously the executive director of Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation, a nonprofit steward of a 3,400-acre historic estate, cultural landmark and conservation site in Colorado, according to the news release.

Over his decade of nonprofit leadership, Holmes has “built a reputation for doing the hard work behind sustainable cultural access: strengthening financial foundations while expanding public-facing impact,” the release said.

Holmes has served on several boards, including those for Denver Art Museum, the Art District on Santa Fe and Colorado Ballet.

He is also the co-founder of the Black Arts Collective, which seeks to expand collection acquisitions and create new funding for African Diaspora artists.

He fills the role during a time when arts and culture institutions are being asked “to do more with less,” the release said.

Mike Bock, the board’s chairman, said Holmes brings “clear alignment” with the foundation’s values and “principled leadership” to the role.

“The board is confident in his ability to steward our mission with both care and conviction,” Bock said.

Vice Chair Rehan Hasan called Holmes a “rare kind of leader” in the news release.

“He understands creative practice, institutional responsibility, and the connective tissue between sectors,” Hasan said. “His versatility allows him to move fluidly between artists, partners, and systems — translating vision into action. That ability to build bridges and navigate complexity is exactly what this moment calls for.”