Western Arts Advocacy Network

Our Work – NETWORKS

With the support of Creative West, the Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN) was founded in 2020. This collective gathers leaders from statewide arts advocacy organizations and other key advocates from across the West to share best practices, build advocacy capacity, and support arts advocacy.

The group convened in person for the first time in September 2022 in Sheridan, Wyoming for a strategic planning retreat and continues to meet virtually on a monthly basis to advance its goals. A subsequent strategic meeting of the network is scheduled for September 2024.

Members

Alaska State Council On the Arts
Benjamin Brown, Board Chair

Arizona Citizens for the Arts
Patrick McWhortor, Chief Executive Officer

CA for the Arts / California Arts Advocates
Julie Baker, Chief Executive Officer

Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
Christin Crampton Day, Executive Director

Idaho
Lara Herway, Arts Advocate

Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance
Gaye Humphrey, Interim Executive Director

Montana Arts Council
Krys Holmes, Executive Director

Nevada Arts Council
Tony Manfredi, Executive Director

Creative New Mexico
Stephen Lindsey, Federal Advocacy Chair

Cultural Advocacy Coalition
Claire Blaylock, Legislative Liaison, Oregon Arts & Culture Caucus

Utah Cultural Alliance
Annie Dimartino, Executive Director

Inspire Washington
Manny Cawaling, Executive Director
Jessi Wasson, Deputy Director

Wyoming Arts Alliance
Ryan Dinneen O’Neil, Interim Director

Co-Chairs

Alaska State Council On the Arts
Benjamin Brown

Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
Christin Crampton Day

Visual Notes from WAAN’s Gathering in Missoula, Montana – September 2024

Legislative Priorities

In 2022, WAAN identified priority issue areas to champion through collective advocacy efforts:

Public Investment and Funding for Arts and Culture
Arts and Culture in Rural Development

Point of Contact

Cynthia Chen, she/her/hers

Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs

cynthia.c@wearecreativewest.org

Web Services powered by

Creative West

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CaFÉ is an online application submission system that strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply.

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GO Smart is an affordable grants management software that offers pre- and post-application forms, panel reviewing, and data reporting for grantmakers.

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The Public Art Archive (PAA) is a free, searchable, and continually growing online database of completed public artworks throughout the U.S. and abroad, with a suite of resources and tools built for managing public art collections.

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ZAPP provides art fair and festival administrators with a suite of tools to digitally collect and jury applications, manage booth payments, and communicate with applicants all in one easy-to-use digital platform. Artists can apply to hundreds of shows nationwide through a central website.