It takes all kinds to make things happen in Denver arts and culture, a fact reflected in today's fifth annual Top 25 list.

While it's easy to see the accomplishments of big names such as Stan Kroenke and Phil Anschutz, it's just as obvious that lesser-known movers and shakers such as Wende Curtis and Anthony Garcia are equally crucial to keeping the Denver scene varied and vibrant.

And that was the key for the decision-makers behind this year's list: Who has been making things happen? Who has introduced change? Who has innovated?

Of course, it's not just about people: The past year also has been about achieving goals, whether you were a person or an organization. And with school looming, it only seems right to grade the performance of various groups against the goals we identified last year that were important for them to achieve:

• OPENING DAZE: The debut weekend at the Denver Art Museum last October launched its $110 million addition with a bang during a 35-hour open house that attracted 35,000 people. But that bang's since been downsized to a peep by bad weather, a leaky roof and low attendance. Museum officials have since shaved their first-year attendance projection by 40 percent. Grade: C+

• TINSELTOWN: Phil Anschutz had a fine success last holiday season with his film Charlotte's Web, but not on a scale with The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe's nearly $300 million haul the previous year. Then again, Charlotte's $82.6 million gross will allow the mogul to keep spinning tales in Hollywood. Grade: B+

• ART AND COMMERCE: The opening of the music store Twist & Shout in the Lowenstein Theatre renovation next door to Tattered Cover cemented the success of that Colfax Avenue project, which now hums with activity. Grade: A

• CONCERTED EFFORT? We worried last year that Live Nation's purchase of House of Blues would leave fans with fewer choices and higher prices. But the arrival of a Denver office of AEG Live now means we have two major promoters again. But will the competition raise ticket prices? Grade: Incomplete

So what issues catch our eye in the coming year? Consider:

• ANOTHER OPENING: If it's October, we must be opening a new museum. This time around, the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art will throw open the doors on its new home in the Central Platte Valley on Oct. 28. Can it sustain excitement after its opening better that the DAM did? Speaking of new museums, we look forward to the unveiling this fall of a design for the Clyfford Still Museum.

• NATIONAL SCENE: Producer Donna Dewey and director Monty Miranda appear to be on the verge of selling national distribution rights to the film Skills Like This. Could a movie made by Denverites in Denver be a national hit? We'll see. • TAKE TWO: The Denver Art Museum hopes to get a boost from a big exhibit out of the Louvre to start its second year in its new addition with a bang. Let's hope excitement will return with the crowds.

Finally, it's important to note that this isn't my list of the Top 25. It's also the work of staff writers Lisa Bornstein, Mark Brown, Mary Voelz Chandler, Erika Gonzalez, Michael Mehle, Alex Neth, Marc Shulgold and Patti Thorn.

So head inside and read the complete list. And by all means, let us know what you think. After all, we need to start thinking now about the next list.

Joe Rassenfoss is the Features editor. rassenfossj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5410